what is a split end?
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1105
Printed Date: October 29 2025 at 2:15pm
Topic: what is a split end?
Posted By: farahsatana
Subject: what is a split end?
Date Posted: October 24 2004 at 11:24pm
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Greetings all, I just found this nice conversational group, and as I detect a measurably high level of kindness and patience I will ask a stupid question that has been driving me bananas for embarassingly too long: what do I call the breaks in the ends (mostly) of my hairs that are not frizzy splits but more like cracks? And why do I always have them? If I snag one between my nails I can just snap 'em off. I only blow my hair dry if it is truly cold out (that's from 15F on down), I do equal amounts of patient comb and brushing, I use whatever shampoo and conditioner is in the shower (we live in Nowhere Montana so I have to shop at Walmart), and generally I try rather strenuously to take good care of my hair. My hair is thick and wavy with curl at the nape, length is a bit past my bra. I never really grow it longer cuz I am occasionally around chainsaws, random power equipment or PTOs and I can't control my hair too well if it gets longer. I can't even keep it out of my power windows if it gets longer! So what do I have here? Maltreatment? Inevitable attrition? A preventable condition? Please do not suggest phenomenally expensive boutique hair schmoo--it is not in the household budget this year (I bought a horse...after we got a free one from the game warden). I am open to suggestions, cheapness notwithstanding. Sally |
Replies:
Posted By: Viktoria
Date Posted: October 25 2004 at 5:59am
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Hi Sally from Nowhere and welcome to the board! I sympathize with your problems. What I have for you are a couple of great sites with loads of informations on splits, etc. And, with pictures to illustrate. http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_toc.htm - http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_toc.htm http://www.skinbiology.com/hairbiology,care&loss.html - http://www.skinbiology.com/hairbiology,care&loss.html Hair does get dry and frail, especially in the winter. I would suggest washing a couple of times a week (look for gentle shampoo with sodium laureth sulfate and without -cones, they are usually also pretty cheap), using oil at the ends and perhaps wearing it up some more, while the oil conditions it. Oil is cheap, you can use olive if you want. And even if you buy a more expensive one, it lasts a long time. I believe oils and such can be bought by post in the States as well, Iīm sure someone has an adress. Taking good care of long hair is not expensive. I donīt put out more than the equivalent of 10 dollars a month. ------------- The more you complain, the longer God lets you live. |
Posted By: Nicole Z
Date Posted: October 25 2004 at 1:15pm
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Split ends can also be managed by dusting them out - by snipping the ends individually. What you're probably seeing are breakage spots, and those need to be snipped out too. Make sure that the scissors you use are sharp and only for your hair. A pair of mustache scissors works just fine. Try to snip as perpindicular to the strand as possible to prevent the end from splitting again, and trim about 1/4" above the split/breakage point. As far as oils are concerned, any vegtable oil will work. Just remember a little goes a LONG LONG way. We're talking like droplets here. ------------- My hair is almost to my knees (~50") and continues to grow longer. Rather slowly these days, but that's ok - it's still *growing*. |
Posted By: farahsatana
Date Posted: October 26 2004 at 11:59am
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Well thank you ladies. I have made it through the P&G website, and I feel darn good about my hair after seeing the "case studies". I use a Mason Pearson nylon and boar bristle brush. In your experience, is the nylon part a bad idea? What about wooden brushes? Do you think it is possible that my water is part of the problem? We are on a well, and the water is fairly hard. Sally |
Posted By: Viktoria
Date Posted: October 28 2004 at 8:44am
| I know nothing about water, sorry. And I have stopped using a brush - I think they are hard to clean and hard to use. I use a wide tooth comb for detangling and a finer comb for when I bun it or comb out the loose hairs before washing. After I threw out the brushes, I get much less breakage. However, I know most people will swear by their brushes. I think itīs much up to the hair quality and what styles you wear, and how you treat your hair generally. Maybe you could lay off the brush for a while and see if you get less breakage. |
Posted By: farahsatana
Date Posted: October 29 2004 at 7:40pm
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I've been trying (feebly) to adhere to a George Michael--I think that's right but I get my hair gurus and 80's pop stars confused--regimen of hair care. I too feel the brush is causing damage. How this can be I do not understand, as the brushing is central to G.M.'s "plan." Thank you, and I will give it a try. |
Posted By: Layla
Date Posted: October 29 2004 at 7:45pm
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Nicole, you're hair is so beautiful and long. ------------- Type: 3c/4a Natural Current Length: 6" Goal: Healthy, tip of nose /neck/shoulder length hair. BC: 02/08/06 |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: October 31 2004 at 11:22am
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Hi Sally, and welcome! Hard water is problematic for long hair. My water is somewhat "hard" (primarily limestone). What I do after the shampoo and conditioner is a final rinse with 1/4 gallon of distilled or purified water with 1-2 tbsp of vinegar added in. The higher quality water helps rinse out the minerals, and the vinegar tilts the pH to slightly acidic, helping to close the cuticles of the strands. When I lived in the northern U.S. states, I tried to avoid going outside with wet hair anytime the temps were below freezing. Once I made that mistake (temp was about 10-15F) and within 2 mintues the hair froze and I snapped some off just by bending the icicles. Not good. So I either timed washing it when I would be inside long enough for it to dry, or blow-dried it (rarely chose this method). These days, I am only using a wide-toothed comb, except just before washing my hair, when I further use a paddle brush - the purpose being to try to capture any loose strands (to minimize tangling during the S&C). If you use any brush, I would advise detangling first with a wide-toothed comb. HTH, and nice to "meet" you.  ------------- |
Posted By: UP Lisa
Date Posted: November 11 2004 at 7:06am
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It's so strange to me to hear about people with long hair using a comb. My hair is very fine, and when I try to comb it I can just hear it breaking. A comb doesn't give. A natural bristle brush is the only thing that doesn't totally kill my hair because it's soft enough to bend when it hits a tangle. ------------- Lisa |
Posted By: Supersugar
Date Posted: November 11 2004 at 8:21am
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The key words in what you said are 'very fine'. Chances are their hair is not. ------------- Make every day you have count, before the time comes for you to count every day you have. |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: November 14 2004 at 4:27pm
Hi Lisa, Actually, my hair is fine.... mmm... probably closer to medium fine. And I use only a comb. The key is to go through the hair gently, and slowly. Rushing and using force will definitely result in those dreaded snapping and popping sounds. For bad snarls that can't be combed out, I use my fingertips to work individual strands from the mat. I only (if ever) brush when the mane has been completely and thoroughly detangled with a comb. ------------- |
UP Lisa wrote:Posted By: farahsatana
Date Posted: November 17 2004 at 1:57pm
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Well I've been combing, and now I remember why I stopped and began cheating with the brush in the first place: it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get the tangles out (n.b. to fine hair question--my hair is very thick, very 'wide', and I am very patient). Brushing took five minutes... I remember seeing at perhaps this very website, some time ago, a comment that you should NEVER comb your hair when you are angry or in a hurry. |
Posted By: harpgal
Date Posted: November 17 2004 at 2:24pm
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Hey farahsatana...I live in Montana too! Yes, hard water can be a huge problem, just as Dave mentioned. I went from having soft water to having very hard water. I had to stop using products with 'cones in them all together. They caused a lot of dryness along with the hard water. I also use a Madora wide tooth comb to detangle and then I will very gently brush the GM way. After that, I detangle using my fingers and then use the Madora comb to finish. I have F, 2a, ii hair. ------------- The Joy is in the Journey |