:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/splitends-d8425eeed0bf47a4b1261ec36d209cd7.png "How to Fix Split Ends, According to Hair Stylists (1)")
So many of us covet long, luscious hair, but with the amount of heat styling, chemical treatments, and hair dye a lot of us use, achieving healthy length isn't always so easy. The amount of damage our hair takes often leads to dry, brittle hair and breakage. And anyone who has ever experienced split ends knows they're no fun. Thankfully, though, there are many ways to fix split ends.
The main way to fix them is by preventing them in the first place. That means a lot of leave-in conditioners, hair masks, DIY recipes, etc. A healthy hair routine also involves a few lifestyle tweaks, such as staying out of chlorine-filled pools, reducing how often you use hot tools to style your hair, and minimizing how much you brush your hair. If you already have split ends though, there are also a few things you can do to mask their appearance and temporarily fake healthy length.
To best understand how to fix split ends, we tapped three professional hairstylists to ask them everything there is to know about preventing, treating, and masking them. Below, find their insights so you can stretch the time in between haircuts.
Meet the Expert
- Jesse Montana is a celebrity hairstylist at Mèche Salon in Los Angeles.
- Alessandra Saman is a professional hairstylist at Mare Salon in Los Angeles
- Melissa Brown is an extension specialist at Mèche Salon and red carpet stylist.
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Make a Hydrating Coconut Oil Treatment
Coconut oil boasts a slew of benefits that include treating a variety of hair concerns; dandruff, stubborn hair growth, and dry ends are among its many hair healing powers, plus it is proven to reduce protein loss in hair. If you're battling with how to get rid of split ends, celebrity hairstylist Jesse Montana, recommends concocting a DIY coconut oil treatment. While coconut oil won't mend the ends back together, it may make them appear less frayed and smoother. Bonus: it drenches strands in hydration, too.
To get the best results, Montana recommends starting with thoroughly shampooed and towel-dried hair. "Natural oils are very heavy, so be sure to start small and add more as needed, staying off the hair’s roots," she says. For the treatment, take a scoop of coconut oil (about a quarter of a handful), and work it into your hair from the ends to mid-shaft. Then, clip your hair up, wrap it up in a towel or plastic wrap, and wait 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
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Embrace Hair Tucks, Top-Knots, and Braids
If you're really trying to dodge a hair salon visit and you don't have time to spend on a hair mask, get creative and hide away your split ends with a clever style. Just about any form of an updo or bun that has your ends hidden will do the trick. Or, opt for fun accessories like scarves, barrettes, and hats.
Another unconventional yet on-trend way to conceal split ends is with the "hair tuck," in which you'd leave the bottom of your hair tucked into the neckline of your shirt or jacket. This works best with high-neck tops (such as turtlenecks) or outerwear with a strong, defined collar that will actually help keep the hair in place. However, if you have textured hair take caution, as natural hair may be very delicate and tucking it might cause breakage.
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Apply a Smoothing Leave-In
A leave-in conditioner can offer hydration and temporarily smooth the appearance of split ends. Living Proof's Restore Repair Leave-In ($31) is formulated specifically for damaged strands and dry ends, and is infused with the brand's patented healthy hair molecule along with nourishing silk proteins. The result: Silky smooth hair with no damage in sight.
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Use Heat Protectant
We all know that hot tools damage hair, and dry, brittle hair leads to breakage. If you can't part with your flat iron or blow dryer, make sure to apply a good amount of heat protectant to your hair pre-styling. It'll act as a protective barrier between your hair and the blasting heat, which will help maintain your hair's integrity and health.
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DIY a Nourishing Avocado Protein Mask
Ultimately, the key to fixing split ends is prevention. A nutrient-dense hair mask that coats strands with everything it needs to stay healthy might help keep split ends at bay. And while you may have to skip the homemade guacamole for one night with this one, trust us—your hair will thank you. Hair stylist, Alessandra Saman’s blend consists of one avocado, one egg, and a few drops of olive oil. Together, the trio contains fatty acids as well as vitamins E and K meant to soften, moisturize, repair, and protect the hair and its follicles.
First, mash up the avocado and mix it with the egg. Add olive oil until the consistency is “a little thicker than store-bought conditioner,” Saman says. Apply it to the hair (focusing on the ends), leave on for 10 to 20 minutes, and then rinse well with warm water.
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Rub Oil on Your Ends
Never underestimate the power of rubbing a natural oil onto your frayed ends. This has the potential added benefit of nourishing damaged strands while minimizing the appearance of split ends between salon visits. Our pick? Sweet almond oil or Argan oil, both of which are widely available in their pure forms as well as commonly included on the ingredients list of popular hair products. When you're in a pinch, work a few drops onto towel-dried ends. The only caveat here is to be mindful of how much you're applying—it is an oil after all, so begin with a small amount of product and add as needed.
Key Ingredients
Almond oil is a hydrator that is rich in vitamins D and E along with various minerals. It helps soothe the skin from irritation and protect it from UV radiation damage.
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Use Microfiber Towels
While you may not think twice about wrapping your hair up in a regular towel, doing so may increase the likelihood of developing split ends. This is because the small loops on cotton towels can be abrasive to hair strands, cause snagging, and create micro-tears that eventually lead to split ends. Microfiber is 200 times thinner than a hair strand and is more absorbent, meaning it's smoother on hair and speeds up drying time.
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Make a Fish Oil Hair-Repairing Soak
While fish oil isn't usually a first choice when it comes to topical hair treatments, it can hold the key to hair growth and repair. The rich fatty acids found in fish oil are said to support stronger strands, trigger circulation in the scalp, and promote hair growth.
To make the soak, combine two fish oil capsules with a tablespoon of coconut oil and lavender each in a saucepan. Heat the mixture on low for five minutes. Pour into a large bowl, dip your ends in the bowl, and work the mixture up your hair shaft (avoiding the roots). Wrap your hair up in a towel or plastic wrap and let it soak for 40 minutes before washing it out. “The natural omega-3 and -6 oils in the fish oil will remedy all your split-end woes,” Montana says of this DIY hair mask.
Byrdie Tip
To reduce buildup and prevent limp strands, it's smart to double shampoo as a follow-up to this mask.
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Deep Condition Your Hair
Once a week, give your hair some extra TLC with a reparative deep conditioner to speed up the recovery process and strengthen your strands. We recommend the Kérastase Resistance Strengthening Hair Mask for Damaged Hair ($63) as its protein-rich formula reverses breakage, smooths hair follicles, and strengthens brittle hair.
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Avoid Over-Brushing and Shampooing
While basic haircare involves brushing and shampooing your hair, overdoing it can exacerbate the damage that leads to split ends. Studies have shown that structural changes in hair fibers are the result of brushing, shampooing, and other types of grooming, especially when they're done when hair is wet. Colored and permed strands are even more susceptible to this kind of damage. Combat split ends by avoiding vigorous brushing and one too many shampoo sessions (our experts recommend washing your hair one to three times a week depending on your hair and skin type).
Byrdie Tip
If you have thin, fragile hair, use a pure boar bristle brush like Leonor Greyl's Natural Boar Bristle Brush ($59) to minimize breakage.
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Treat With Honey and Olive Oil
The moisturizing combo of honey and olive oil make it a dynamic duo for nourishing damaged hair. Honey offers emollient properties, and it conditions hair, making it the ideal moisturizer for dry hair that's prone to split ends. As an added bonus, honey is “great for treating a dry scalp and boosting shine,” says extension specialist, Melissa Brown.
Try mixing three tablespoons of olive oil with two tablespoons of raw honey. Apply the mixture to shampooed hair and leave it in for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse it out and then wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo like Ouidad's Ready, Set, Clean Pre-Shampoo Scalp + Hair Rinse ($28) to remove any residue.
How to Prevent Split Ends, According to Experts
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview.Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450
Kang JI, Yoon HS, Kim SM, et al. Mackerel-derived fermented fish oil promotes hair growth by anagen-stimulating pathways.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(9):2770. doi:10.3390/ijms19092770
Burlando B, Cornara L. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013;12(4):306-313. doi:10.1111/jocd.12058
