hair break off and split ends

I have long hair that is breaking off and has alot of split ends. I haven't colored my hair or used heat or blowdryers in over 5 years. I'm currently using Netrugena's Triple Moisture shampoo and conditioner... I've tryed alot of different shampoos, conditioners that I can afford, be gentle with wide toothed combs, braids, buns (i think this might be making it break off more?) I've been trimming it myself every few months lately but it doesn't seem to be helping. I try doing dustings but it seems like it'll take forever because there are so many spilt ends and it seems like they just come back the next day/ I'm kinda afraid to go to a salon because I know they are going to cut off too much for me to handle right away.. you know you get attached to your hair and it can be traumatic to get a bunch cut off at once... If there anything I can do to help it get be "normal"? I'd like to avoid getting too much cut off if possible.

Hi- I'm not vegetarian, but I don't eat any red meat; just have chicken a few times a week... othertimes I make sure to get in atleast 60 grams of protein from soy products, cheese and protein shakes. My hair has some wave to it and I'd consider the texture medium, but right now it looks thin from the breakage and it's kinda dryed out. I wash 2-3 times a week.

Hello pkitty,

My guess is that the scissors you are using for the split-ends "search and destroy" are dull. I would suggest getting a good pair of scissors meant for haircutting. I've been using Tweezerman (available in HB's marketplace) for a year and have found that I am far less prone to splits than I was when I was using a pair of scissors which had become dull.

Also, you may want to consider using a drop of jojoba oil, gently working it into the ends of your hair. That'll help make your hair somewhat less prone to tangling and in turn will help reduce splitting at the ends.