bunches of little split ends

Hi Lickalime,

Given your S&D sessions, your hair is probably getting in better shape than it was a week ago.  Right?  I wouldn't worry at all.  Neither would I cut off 3 or 4 inches from the ends.  Just keep on doing the S&D, and your hair will be in great shape in no time (if it isn't already!).

If you're only cutting 20 a day, that doesn't sound like much when you are sitting there sifting through your whole head.  You probably have less of those than I do.  I agree with Dave, you don't need to cut that much off.  Just cut off the individual hair above the dot if its a high up one, and get a small trim to take care of the ones on the ends (1/4 inch or 1/8 inch is usually enough...if you cut off that little yourself, its usually not even noticeable so you don't even really have to worry about messing it up as long as you are careful).

Those high up ones are probably caused by something you are doing though, you might want to try to figure out what so you can stop doing it.  Are you ripping through it from the top down with a brush?  Are you using a ponytail holder or other damaging hair toy in that place?

tani-lai wrote: I have been getting these a lot too, and am glad to hear that you don't think they are someting to worry much about, susan & dave.  I was also wondering if I would have to get a trim--and not liking the idea one bit!

S&D!   S&D!   S&D! 

(channeling my best cheerleader)

PurpleBubba wrote: 90,000 - 140,000 hairs on a human head. 365 days x 20 per day = 7,300. We shed 40 - 100 per day. At 100 that would be 36,500 in a year. 36,500 + 7,300 = 43,800 shed and cut. That leaves you with 46,200 - 96,200 hairs not shed and not cut. There's plenty more hairs where those 20 came from. :) ETA: And some of the ones you cut could be shed so that would let you keep even more.

\Well, when you put it that way............
Really, with that breakdown, it doesn't seem so bad, does it?

I would keep up with the S&D for a while. It took me quite some time until I noticed much of a difference from doing S&D... but after time, you should notice less of the white dots and splits when you go to do your S&D.
Either way, you ARE getting rid of the broken ends and it will keep the hair from continuing to split and cause a break further up the hair shaft.

There are times when my hair does get drier than other times- and I do notice more of the white dots and splits. Could have many causes- environment, change in hair care, water, etc.  I always notice more splits in the winter. Hair rubs against the rough winter coats and scarves, and the air within buildings is normally drier due to heating systems.