Two of the most common signs of premature hair loss or hair shedding are split ends and dead ends. And although both the formerly mentioned signals carry different properties and require drastically different remedies, one may very well confuse one for the other due to the similarity in their visuals.
Dead ends and split ends sound terrifying at first, but seeing them around the tip of your strands shouldn’t worry you. If you constantly expose your hair to the sun, often rely on hair care products with paraben, and have an unhealthy washing routine with too much shampooing, seeing one of the two is inevitable.
Moving on, whether you’re seeking solutions to getting rid of split ends and dead ends, or seeking a way to learn more about the two. This guide should be sufficient. In addition to unveiling the differences between the two common hair issues, we will also drop two effective guides on controlling the outcome indefinitely!
Table of Contents
Split Ends: What They Are And How They Come Into Existence
In simpler terms, split ends are frizzy and unhealthy cuticles that typically look damaged and dry around the tip of the shaft. Split ends come in various forms, but typically occur due to one of three reasons.
Overstyling the hair is one of the reasons behind the presence of split ends. Since most tools operate with heat, relying on equipment such as hair dryers, curling irons, hot air brushes and so on can absorb all the natural moisture, also known as sebum, from the scalp. This, as a result, not only reduces the visuals of healthy hair but also increases one’s hair from generating split ends.
Washing the hair more than the average amount can also increase one’s chances of battling with split ends. Since shampoos contain SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphate), citric acid, and alcohol, the roots of one hair can become flaky and brittle, hampering the density and growth journey of hair. The nightmare doesn’t end there, however, as it also brings forward the development of split ends.
Believe it or not, a poor diet can also lead to split ends, mainly because the strands need a proper amount of nutrition to age gracefully and remain resilient for longer periods. While eating items rich in fat and carbohydrates is essential, a protein-oriented diet tends to be more helpful for those with split ends.
The Multiple Ways To Repair Split Ends!
Although permanent, the impact split ends tend to leave behind can be controlled to a manageable level. However, to do that, getting rid of bad habits in exchange for good ones might be necessary.
From making changes to your shower routine to keeping the cuticles in check, here are some useful methods you can use to minimize the appearance of split ends.
Incorporate a good diet
Letting go of processed food and replacing that habit with a protein-packed diet won’t just change your life for the better, but will also improve hair health.
Increase your water intake
Contrary to popular belief, drinking water can change one’s body for the better. And if you drink it enough, you might even see a positive change in the quality of your hair.
If you drink a gallon of water each day, the roots of your hair will be supplied with more hydration, which will then make the strands fuller and healthier.
Moisturise the ends
You can also improve the visuals of your split ends by deep conditioning the strands on a weekly basis. After shampooing, you may also use a leave-in conditioner in addition to conditioning the strands after shampooing to reduce the severity of your hair problem.
Get maintenance cuts
Since we’re talking about the ends of the shaft, getting regular haircuts can also be a good way to subside the condition of your split ends, especially if your scenario is lenient.
To play it safe, be sure to visit your hairdresser once every two weeks.
Make changes to your drying and styling routine
In addition to eating clean and chopping the ends on a daily basis, you must also make changes to your post-shower and styling routine. Instead of using towels made of cotton, try using a microfiber towel.
Additionally, you should also drop styling products that contain paraben, and alcohol, and provide an extremely tight hold, since all three of them often lead to split ends in the long run.
Dead Ends: Description, Causes, Remedies, And More!
While split ends are present around the ends of the tip, dead ends usually start from the roots up until the ends.
As opposed to split ends, dead ends are more severe, containing repercussions that are often irreversible and permanent.
Dead ends are also more vulnerable than split ends, often being allergic to friction. When in contact with a comb or even fingertips, strands with dead ends usually fall off or cause a lot of tugging.
Similar to split ends, dead ends are caused by over-styling, overwashing, stress, and a bad diet. In certain cases, dead ends also come in place when the user towel dries their hair with too much friction.
While seeing dead ends around the cuticles is more disadvantageous than living with split ends, the appearance of dead ends can be minimized, or controlled, using accessible methods.
Using shampoos that are free of harmful chemicals, deep conditioning the hair on a weekly basis, and minimizing the use of styling products like hair spray and gel can be three immediate ways to reduce the consequences of dead ends. In certain cases, hydrating masks are also known for being reliable companions to tackle dead ends.
Split Ends Vs. Dead Ends: Analysing Their Similarities And Differences
Now that you have a basic understanding of split ends and dead ends, and the ways in which they can be intercepted to prevent further damage to one’s scalp and hair journey, here are some notable similarities and differences between two hair problems cut from the same cloth.
Appearance
Split ends do compromise the quality of hair, but don’t change the texture completely. Despite being compromised, the strands still manage to look wispy and soft from the outside.
Dead ends, on the other hand, look dry, brittle, thin, and unhealthy. They are also quite rough in texture, making separating them from split ends easier.
Severity
Although you can never fully repair your hair from either one, know that split ends can be camouflaged. In other words, by using a detangling comb, you can hide split ends on your hair.
Dead ends, on the other hand, can damage the cuticles of your hair. This makes dead ends much more severe, harmful, and difficult to reverse or control.
Causes
Dead ends are much worse as opposed to split ends when all is said and done. However, both hair issues arise due to the same reasons.
Both split ends and dead ends come into existence due to too much heat exposure. Too much friction can also cause split or dead ends. Additionally, if you partake in substance abuse and have an unhealthy diet, don’t be too surprised if your hair reduces in terms of quality and grows split or dead ends.
Remedies
The solution to both issues is quite similar, mainly since dead ends and split ends come into existence when the hair lacks hydration.
By conditioning the hair, using hair masks, and using a detangling comb, the visuals of dead ends and split ends can be eliminated. If the case is much worse, using a bonding kit is advised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know the differences between split ends and dead ends, here are some basic questions regarding today’s topic for your understanding.
Q: How are split ends different from dead ends?
Ans: Split ends only compromise the upper half of the cuticles, while dead ends gradually deteriorate the shaft from the bottom to the top. Additionally, dead ends are also known for being rougher in terms of texture.
On another note, split ends are more accessible to hide than dead ends. More often than not, using a detangling hair brush is good enough to subside the appearance of split ends.
Q: Can you fix split ends or dead ends?
Ans: While a permanent solution has yet to come into existence, both split ends and dead ends can be maintained or controlled before it’s too late. Using hydrating masks, switching up cotton pillowcases for silk cases, and refraining from using hair dyes and styling tools are a couple of ways to manage the growth and development of split ends.
Conclusion
Long story short, dead ends and split ends are quite difficult to separate from afar. However, once you inspect the hair, you’ll realize just how different they are from one another.
While split ends are temporary pieces of wispy hair that can be adjusted in various ways to look healthier and presentable, dead ends are damaged cuticles with multiple tears across the strands that are often susceptible to friction. When in contact with a comb, dead ends tend to break off or fall off indefinitely.
The two hair issues have different visuals but arise due to the same reasons. Both split ends and dead ends are present when the hair is supplied with very little hydration, nutrition, and moisture. Heat-infused styling tools are also said to worsen the growth of split ends and dry ends.
Though split ends are quite different from dead ends on a wider spectrum, both of them require the same solution. By using nourishing conditioners and hydrating oils such as argan oil, one can easily tackle the damage left by split ends and dry ends.
