Can Products Fix Split Ends?

Hi, i straighten my hair frequently, and i have a lot of split ends because of it. I am trying to grow my hair out to about a foot. My hair is currently at about shoulder length, about 6 or 8 inches. It seems my hair grows very slow, and cutting the split ends seems to defeat the purpose of growing it out longer. what can i do to not only fix the hair, but try to prevent it from happening again because of the frequent heat? please write back!!!


YouTips4U: Hi, straightening your hair frequently can be very damaging and cause split ends. Using conditioner after you shampoo and using leave-in conditioner products to repair the split ends can mend them, but this is only a temporary solution. Conditioning products will smooth out the hair shaft, but it quickly wears off within a day or two. If you ever look at your hair when it's been a few days since you washed your hair, you will notice that your split ends are very obvious, and they weren't obvious after you washed and styled your hair. That is why the only way to save your hair from further breakage caused by split ends is to trim the split ends off. If you don't, they get bigger and ride further up the hair shaft. Eventually they break off leaving your hair shorter. When you have time, please take a look at my video on YouTube on how to blow dry and straighten your hair to minimize damaging it. In this two-part video I give you some tips on how you can still achieve your desired look using a straightener, while minimizing the damaging effects on your hair. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D2kNVE_Fyk

Can Combing Wet Hair Cause Breakage?

Question: Is it good to comb wet hair? many people says that if u comb ur hair wet than it can cause split ends and it can break ur hair..so after drying ur hair u have to comb. what u said about this?


YouTips4U: It's fine to comb your hair when it's wet, as long as you are very gentle because it can easily be stretched and broken. That's why I recommend washing your hair upside down with a hand-held shower (see my YouTube Video on Properly Washing Long Hair)Properly Wash/Shampoo Your Long Hair to Prevent Breakage, Split Ends, Drying, and Tangles
. This prevents a lot of tangling during shampooing. Be sure to use a leave-in conditioner before combing and if you come across any severe tangles, spritz them first with a detangler and then very gently untangle the hair with your comb. I always recommend a wide tooth comb. When combing my wet hair, I like to start from the bottom and slowly work my way higher so as not to tug on my roots.

More Help with Split Ends

Question: Hi. I have tried this trick before, though the problem is that I have layers. Sometimes when I would twist, then my layers would pop out instead of split ends and I would cut more than I meant too. I am trying to grow all my layers out, but until the do you know of any tips that might help with that? Thnx a lot!!!


YouTips4U: You can try making a few braids down your hair and examining them for split ends. Usually the hair that pops off the braid has some split ends to find. Just be careful to only cut the little split end off. Do your best until the layers grow out more; I know they can be difficult, I had layers once too.

Question: I always have to get my hair trimmed because i have many split ends. I have long hair, but it can never grow any longer. I have been doing it with regular hair scissors and they work just as well. It might ruin my hair cut, which is what I'm worried about, but i also don't want to cut my hair shorter..?


YouTips4U: Hi, I think your ends may need so many trims because your they are drying out and splitting. Be sure you are using the proper shampoo for your hair type (try one for long hair) and that you condition after each shampoo. After you towel dry, always apply a leave-in conditioner before drying. This will protect your hair. If you are going to trim your own hair, please buy hair cutting scissors. Using the wrong scissor can damage your ends leading to further breakage.

Question: My hair is 26 inches long now ! and my ends haven't started to split yet. But now they're starting to split, and i really don't want to cut my hair, because the hairdressers always cut much more off then you want them to. What shall i do :S?

YouTips4U: Hi, I know what you mean. If you feel it's time for a trim, you should go to a hairdresser and ask that she only take off a dusting to 1/2 inch. Be firm about it and ask her to show you on your hair exactly what the amount she is removing looks like before she cuts. This has happened to me in the past too and it's very upsetting. I've learned though that proper communication is the key. Remember hair shrinks up when it dries.

Question: what if you're someone who doesn't believe in cutting your hair like not even trimming, like not even taking one inch of razor or scissor to your hair what do you do then? Do you have any tips on how to stop slip ends? or help them heal?

YouTips4U: Hi, the best thing to do would be to try to prevent split ends as much as possible by being very gentle to your hair when brushing and styling, always condition after shampooing, and apply a leave-in conditioner. Keeping the hair shaft well moisturized and avoiding things that will dry or damage your hair will really help a lot.

Question: This might be a stupid question but how do you know if you see split ends on your hair?


YouTips4U: That's actually a great question! Just pick a few strands and look at the very bottom of the strand. If you see a split at the end like a little tiny Y, that's a split end. Sometimes they appear lighter. They should just be snipped off right above the v part where the hair is healthy again. I hope that helps.