How to Get Rid of Split Ends & Stop Them from Coming Back

Keeping your hair looking fresh and clean isn’t easy when split ends get in the way. Split ends are the number one roadblock when trying to grow long, luscious hair.

Most of us have split ends because of daily heat styling, the way we towel dry our hair after showering, or even the way we sleep on our hair at night. So, our once healthy looking hair now looks damaged and frizzy.

“Split ends result from the fraying or separating of the hair strand into two or more fragments,” says Sam Burnett, owner and Creative Director of Hare and Bone. The only surefire way to get rid of split ends is by chopping them off, but there are some preventive steps we can take to stop them from creeping up on our hair any further.

Simple steps like rethinking how you towel dry your hair, reassessing your blowing drying techniques, turning down your straighteners, throwing away your brushes, trying a keratin treatment, switching up your shampoo and conditioner, trying a silk pillowcase or a trimming your hair regularly.

Any one of these steps can lead to healthier looking hair that can prevent split ends from coming back, so read on to learn more about each product.

Frequently Asked Question About Split Ends

Split ends are commonly caused by improper detangling, aggressive brushing of wet hair, or excessive blow drying. The sun can also damage your hair by drying it. Your diet is another factor that may lead to split ends as the strength of your hair is closely tied to nutritional and dietary stresses that are usually caused by an excess or deficiency of vitamins and mineral or hormones that keep healthy hair.

Regardless how you’ve ended up with split ends, once you have them, they will not just disappear. Removing them altogether with a good ol’ trim is the best and only way to fix split ends.

1. What Are Split Ends?

Split ends are the visible result  of splitting or fraying of the hair because of various reasons. Splitting of the hair is a type of hair damage that typically begins near the ends of the hair shaft. Split ends or other hair damage can occur anywhere on the length of hair which means that you can have “split ends” in the middle of a strand of hair.

2. How Is Your Hair Affected?

Split ends may lead to further damage and fraying of the hair if left untreated. The best way to keep up good hair maintenance is to regularly get a trim every four to six weeks.

3. What Causes Split Ends?

Split ends are the result of chronic damage to your hair. This damage can be caused by heat, combing, washing, coloring, or even wearing a ponytail. When you damage your hair, the outer layer, also known as the cuticle, starts to peel away leaving hair frizzy-looking and more prone to breakage and splitting.

4. How Can You Get Rid of Them?

Your hair is so damaged from the split ends that can no longer repair itself. So the only way to repair and keep your hair healthy is to cut off the split ends. A new strand of hair can grow out, but the parts of the fiber that are already damaged can’t heal themselves. There are methods to temporarily ‘repair’ split ends, but those will only last until your next shampoo.

How We Reviewed the Products

The following products were reviewed based on their features, pros & cons, price, where to buy, and warranty. We’ve invested time and effort to research on different models for preventive steps for split ends so that we may provide an unbiased “best of” list for all of your hair needs.

What We Reviewed

• OneDoor Wide-tooth Comb – Use a Wide-Tooth Comb
• Orthland Microfiber Hair Towel – Avoid Blow Dryers
• Remington Pro 1″ – 1 ½” Curling Wand – Avoid Curling Irons
• 5.5 In. Hair Cutting Scissors – Get That Trim
• Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser Split-End Bandage Leave-in Treatment – Specialty Hair Care Products
• AQUAhydrate Electrolyte Enhanced Alkaline Water –Drink Water
• Dry Shampoo Volume Powder – Over Showering
• Nexxus Promend Shampoo – Try New Shampoo
• Snappee – Snap-Off, No Crease Hair Ties – Quality Hair Ties
• Biotin Infused with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – Biotin

Wide-Tooth Comb

Features

It might not feel like it, but hair is more likely to be damaged and get split ends when your hair is wet. While using a brush may seem like a good idea, it actually only does more harm than good. A wide-tooth comb brushes your hair slowly and does not need any added pressure when combing through your hair like when you use a brush.

PROS

• Less pulling on your hair and instead glides through each strand     
• Teases out knots and curls without snagging
• Keeps frizz on lockdown even when used on dry hair

CONS

• May cause some damage
• Does not work when combing vigorously

Avoid Blow Dryers – Try Microfiber Hair Towel Drying Wraps

Features

Rethinking how you dry your hair, whether it is towel drying or blow drying, is vital since your hair is the most vulnerable when it is wet. The way you treat your hair after a shower will make a big difference in the amount of damage you inflict on to your hair. Rubbing your wet hair with a towel can only lead to more damage, and excess heat only increases the chances even more. Applying gentle pressure with a towel or air drying your hair is the best way to avoid split ends. However, if you need a faster way to dry your hair without damaging it, try a microfiber hair towel drying wrap.

PROS

• It’s ultra absorbant and a fast dry   
• Reduces frizz and breakage
• Stays put for most hair types
• Good for everyday use

CONS

• Size could be a bit bigger
• Adds a lot of pressure to head

Avoid Curling Irons – Try a Curling Wand

Features

Turning down the heat on your straightener or curling iron does not decrease your chances of split ends. Instead, you should not be using any heating tools on your hair at all. However, throwing away your curling irons and straighteners isn’t the answer either. Instead, purchase hairstyling tools that harness a safer heat, making the hair look healthier and shinier like the Remington Pro Curling Wand.

PROS

• 30-second heat up     
• 60-minute auto shut off
• All day curls

CONS

• Different sizes for different curls
• Open ceramic plate, need to wear gloves while doing hair 

Buy Some Scissors – Get a Trim

Features

When you are trying to grow your hair out, the last thing you want to do is get a trim. But the longer you wait to cut those ends off, the more likely you are to cause further breakage. Getting a haircut is really the only way to get rid of split ends completely.

PROS

• Sharp and a good weight    
• Nice color set

CONS

• Made of high-quality steel which means high sharpness
• Be careful when handling the scissors

Specialty Haircare Products

Features

Specialty hair care products that help minimize damaged or split ends will help rejuvenate your hair from the roots to the tips. Garnier has great products to help erase hair damage.

PROS

• 90% of hair’s strength reconstructed from root to tip 
• 3x the damage resistance
• Helps prevent split ends for strong, rejuvenated hair root to tip

CONS

• Does not help lessen breakage
• Thick serum (do not use every day)
• May build up on hair

Stay Hydrated

Features

Brittle strands of hair is sign that you’re not hydrating properly. So grabbing a few extra glasses of water a day can make a huge difference to your skin and your hair.

PROS

• Aqua hydrate is great tasting water that fuels your performance     
• Proprietary bioavailable electrolyte blend provides 2x more electrolytes than the leading electrolyte-enhanced water
• Stops breakage from starting at the tips of your hair

CONS

• High shipping costs
• High in sodium

Over Showering

Features

Skipping showers can be a good thing for your hair. Overdoing shampoo can take away the natural moisture that helps repair your hair, so if you shampoo too much will lead to more damage and split ends. If you have oily hair or just don’t feel like showering at night, we recommend the Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder. Just add it to your hair, blend it in, leave it overnight, and in the morning brush it out. You’ll get amazing clean-looking hair with extra volume.

PROS

• Keeps natural moisture in your hair
• Vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic
• Helps your hair look great on days you don’t shower

CONS

• If not used correctly it may leave white residue behind
• Overpowering lavender scent

Try New Shampoo

Features

While there are no magic shampoos or conditioners that will get rid of split ends, choosing shampoos with moisturizing properties can help mask them. They also work to strengthen and protect strands against other factors that contribute to split ends like coloring.

PROS

• Split-end binding shampoo gently cleanses and removes impurities  
• Enriched with Flax Seed Oil and Concentrated Elastin Protein
• Helps realign and seal split ends
• Provides weightless detangling
• Helps repair split ends and soothes each strand for natural movement

CONS

• Be aware of size when purchasing
• May leave hair lanky and stringy
• May not work on thin hair

Quality Hair Ties

Features

Your hair isn’t as strong as you may think so you should be careful when you pick out your hair ties. Hair ties with metal bits are tough on strands and can lead to breakage. If you want to wear a ponytail,  then choose ties without metal closures.

PROS

• No pain, more comfort    
• Fun and stylish
• Durable

CONS

• Snaps are plastic
• Only three in a package

Biotin

Features

Biotin is known to help hair grow and keep split ends to a minimum. With stronger hair, your hair is less likely to break or develop split ends.

PROS

• Biotin may support Healthy Hair, Skin and nails    
• Non-GMO Project Verified Biotin softgel available
• Highly absorbable form of Biotin in cold-pressed organic coconut oil

CONS

• Do not take if you have stomach issues or hypothyroidism 
• Do not take if your skin is prone to acne

Product Chart

The Verdict

Fighting against split ends is no easy battle; it takes a lot of different hair care products and revamped daily routines to make sure your hair stays shiny, smooth, and good looking enough to be in a shampoo ad. However, simple steps like not washing your hair every day and minimizing how much heat you apply to your hair can truly make a difference in getting rid of split ends.

Even drinking more water throughout the day can truly make a difference in the shine of your hair. So remember to squeeze the water out of your hair when you step out of the shower, grab another glass of water, mix up your shampoos and conditioners from time to time, and you will be on your way to getting rid of those unsightly split ends once and for all!

Bonus Read: Trendsetters: 18 Celebrities Who Started New Hairstyle Trends