Hair care: Causes and solutions for split ends

Split ends can grow higher and higher from the ends of the hair over time. Ultimately, the only thing that helps is scissors. To effectively prevent this common care problem, it is first important to know the causes of split ends and to avoid them in advance.

What are the most common causes of split ends?

Chemical hair treatments Chemical hair colours as well as perms and bleaching put lasting strain on the healthy hair structure. The opened cuticle layer of the damaged, porous hair fibre leads to moisture loss, brittle and frayed hair, which is prone to breakage and split ends. Instead of chemical hair dyes, it is better to use pure plant dyes, which give the hair a lively, natural colour and additional volume.

Aggressive surfactants in shampoos The quality of the washing-active substances or surfactants determines the caring properties of a shampoo. Common conventional shampoos are based on skin-irritating, highly drying surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate. They destroy the smoothing fatty acid protective layer of the healthy hair fibre, irritate the scalp and deprive it of moisture. After using such shampoos for a long time, the hair usually looks strawy and dull and is prone to breakage and split ends. Unfortunately, organic shampoos that contain aggressive foaming agents as the main surfactant have also become established in natural cosmetics - purely for cost reasons. The sodium coco sulfate used in almost all natural cosmetic shampoos is of natural origin, but is particularly irritating and irritating to sensitive skin. It dries out the hair fibre, making the hair brittle, brittle and prone to split ends.

Silicones and Quats Almost all conventional shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments contain silicones and / or quats (quaternary / quaternary ammonium compounds / QACs). These mineral oil products cover the hair like a film, make it easy to comb, smooth and initially make it look shiny. However, with prolonged use, silicones and quats seal the hair surface so that urgently needed care substances no longer reach the hair fiber and the split-prone ends. The hair fibre swells, becomes brittle and brittle. In addition, silicones and quats are not biodegradable. When you shower, they enter the groundwater and our ecosystem via wastewater.

Heat applications Give your hair a break from straighteners, curling irons and hairdryers as often as possible. The excessive heat is pure stress for your hair and a real lace killer. The heat roughens the cuticle layer of the hair fibre, promotes moisture loss, brittle and fringed hair. It's better to let your hair air dry as often as possible.

Damaging environmental influences In summer, intense UV rays, chlorine and salt water deprive your hair of moisture. In winter it is the constant change between dry heated air inside and wet and cold outside temperatures that affects your hair structure, making your hair ends brittle and prone to split ends.

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Five tips to prevent split ends

1. Gentle hair washing

When choosing your shampoo, pay attention to gentle washing substances that are gentle on the hair and scalp. Washing-active amino acids are currently the mildest plant surfactants. They are optimally skin-friendly and strengthen the hair structure from the inside, so that your hair is more resilient and better protected against split ends and hair breakage. Recommended for split-end-prone hair are the Bio Repair Shampoo Schizandra Berry for damaged hair or the Organic Shampoo Sea Buckthorn Chia for dry hair . They rebuild the hair surface and improve the elasticity of the hair fiber. After washing your hair, avoid rubbing vigorously with a towel. Instead, damp hair should only be gently squeezed and then gently combed - if necessary with a portion of organic conditioner in advance in the hair lengths and ends that are difficult to comb.

2. Heat protection

A high-quality heat protection is essential to prevent straighteners, curling irons or hairdryers from drying out your hair. The myrto Bio Finisher Spray coats each individual hair with plant-based keratin and evens out small hair cracks. It prevents split ends and hair breakage, provides a lot of moisture based on organic aloe vera gel, gives the hair natural volume and more resistance.

3. Emulsifier-free conditioner and hair treatment without harmful ingredients

Organic conditioners without emulsifiers rebuild the natural protective layer of the hair fiber. The proportion of oil-containing care ingredients should be high for strawy, damaged hair. Organic hair treatments without drying emulsifiers have a particularly intensive effect as a leave-on without rinsing - provided they have 100% safe and high-quality ingredients for supple and resilient hair. In general, given the overwhelming number of ingredients, we advise you to check all your care products for questionable ingredients using the Codecheck app - then you are on the safe side in this regard.

4. Special care for healthy and naturally shiny hair.

For an extra dose of deep care, hair oil as a treatment is recommended. The Antistatic Hair Oil with herbal repair complex, cold-pressed macadamia, babassu and jojoba oil protects split-prone hair ends from moisture loss. It smoothens roughened cuticles of the damaged hair fibre, makes the hair supple and gives back the hair’s natural shine. The organic argan hair wax is not only versatile for individual styling. It also offers natural UV protection, gives the hair a lively structure, flexible hold and a shiny finish. To prevent split ends, we recommend kneading the hair wax sparingly into the ends of your hair.

5. Regular tip trim

Last but not least, the ends of the hair should be trimmed regularly by the hairdresser. Hair that has not been cut for a long time becomes thinner, more porous and therefore more prone to split ends as it grows longer. Since hair usually grows about one centimeter per month, you should have the ends trimmed at least every 3 months.

Even if it is difficult to completely avoid split ends, especially with longer hair: With our care tips against split ends, your hair should soon be healthy again, noticeably stronger and split-free. Because only healthy hair remains free of breakage and split ends in the long term.