What to look at
Twist a small section and look along it in good light. Split ends stick out of the twist and look forked, thin or lighter at the tip. On curly hair they hide inside the curl, so stretched-out, dry ends that tangle quickly are often the first sign.
Change one thing on your next wash
Trim first, then pick one habit for your next wash:
- Trim the split ends, either with a stylist or by snipping each split strand above the split.
- Detangle only with conditioner in, ends first, in small sections.
- Make sure conditioner and leave-in reach the ends every wash.
- Cut down heat, and use a heat protectant when you do use it.
- Sleep on satin, and keep ends tucked in protective styles if they rub on clothing.
When this is not the answer
Ends that split all at once after bleaching, a relaxer or a lot of heat are damaged along their length; a bigger trim and fewer chemical services help more than any product. Products that say they repair split ends can only hold them together until the next wash.
Products that do this job
Conditioner and leave-in protect the ends; a mask some weeks helps hair that is dry from the mid-lengths down.
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