Hair problem split ends - what can you do about it?

What are split ends?

Especially after a relaxing summer holiday with lots of sun and sea water, hair often feels straw-like and dull, it is difficult to comb and the ends are split. These so-called split ends can grow higher and higher from the ends of the hair over time. In the end, the only thing that usually helps is scissors. In order to effectively prevent this common hair care problem, it is first important to know the causes of split ends and to avoid them in advance.

What are the most common causes of split ends?

• Chemical hair treatments
  Chemical hair dyes, as well as permanent waves and bleaching, put lasting strain on the healthy hair structure. The open cuticle layer of the damaged, porous hair fiber leads to moisture loss, brittle and frayed hair that is prone to breakage and split ends. Instead of chemical hair dyes, it is better to use pure plant dyes. Plant-based hair dyes attach themselves to the outer cuticle layer of the hair fiber. They give the hair additional volume and a vibrant, natural color without damaging the hair structure.
• Aggressive surfactants in shampoos
  The quality of the washing-active substances or surfactants is a key factor in determining the care properties of a shampoo. Conventional shampoos are based on skin-irritating, extremely drying foaming agents such as sodium laureth sulfate as the main surfactants. They destroy the smoothing fatty acid protective layer of the healthy hair fiber, irritate the scalp and remove moisture from it. After prolonged use of sulfate-based shampoos, the hair usually looks straw-like and dull, and it is prone to breakage and split ends. Unfortunately, organic shampoos that contain aggressive foaming agents as the main surfactant have also become popular in natural cosmetics - purely for cost reasons. The sodium coco sulfate used in high proportions in almost all natural cosmetics shampoos is partly of natural origin, but irritates and inflames sensitive skin. Sodium Coco Sulfate not only causes an itchy, red scalp, but it also dries out the hair fiber, leading to increased hair breakage and split ends.
• silicones and quats
  Almost all conventional shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments contain silicones and/or quats (quaternary ammonium compounds / QACs). These mineral oil products form a film over the hair, making it easy to comb, smoothing it and initially making it look shiny. However, with prolonged use, silicones and quats seal the hair surface so that urgently needed care substances can no longer reach the hair fiber with its split-end-prone tips. The hair fiber swells, becomes brittle and fragile. In addition, silicones and quats are not biodegradable. When you shower, they enter the groundwater via wastewater and thus into our ecosystem.
• heat applications
  Give your hair a break from straightening irons, curling irons and hairdryers as often as possible. Excessive heat is pure stress for your hair and a real tip killer. The heat roughens the cuticle of the hair fiber, promotes moisture loss and brittle and frayed hair. So let your hair air dry as often as possible.
• Harmful environmental influences
  In summer, intense UV rays, chlorine and salt water remove moisture from your hair. In winter, it is the constant change between dry, heated air indoors and cold, wet temperatures outside that damages your hair structure, making your hair ends brittle and prone to split ends.

5 Tips to Prevent Split Ends

• Gentle hair washing
  When choosing your shampoo, make sure you use gentle washing substances that are gentle on the hair and scalp. Detergent-active amino acids are currently the mildest plant-based surfactants. They are optimally skin-friendly and strengthen the hair structure from the inside, so that your hair is more resilient and better protected against split ends and breakage. We particularly recommend the Bio Repair Shampoo Schizandra Berry for damaged hair or the Bio Shampoo Sea Buckthorn Chia for dry hair. They rebuild the hair surface and improve the elasticity of the hair fiber. After washing your hair, avoid rubbing it vigorously with a towel. Instead, just squeeze out the damp hair gently and then comb it carefully - if necessary, use a portion of Bio Conditioner in advance for the hard-to-comb lengths and ends.
• heat protection
  A high-quality heat protection product is essential to prevent styling tools such as straighteners, curling irons or hair dryers from drying out your hair. The myrto Bio Finisher Spray coats each individual hair with plant-based keratin and evens out small hair cracks. It prevents split ends and hair breakage, provides plenty of moisture based on organic aloe vera gel, gives the hair natural volume and more resilience.

• Conditioner and hair treatment without harmful ingredients
  Organic conditioners without emulsifiers rebuild the natural protective layer of the hair fiber. The proportion of oil-based care substances should be high for straw-like, damaged hair. The emulsifier-free organic pomegranate hair mask works particularly intensively as a leave-on without rinsing. This hair treatment has 100% harmless and high-quality ingredients for smooth and resilient hair. In general, given the vast number of ingredients on the ingredient lists, we advise you to check all of your care products for questionable ingredients in advance using the Codecheck app - then you'll be on the safe side in this regard.
• Special care for healthy and naturally shiny hair
  For an extra portion of deep care, we recommend using a hair oil as a treatment. The Antistatic Hair Oil with a plant-based repair complex, cold-pressed macadamia, babassu and jojoba oil protects split ends from moisture loss. It smoothes the roughened cuticle of the damaged hair fiber, makes the hair supple and gives it back its natural shine.

• myrto organic hair wax
  The organic argan hair wax is not only versatile for individual styling. It also offers natural UV protection, gives a lively hair structure, flexible hold and a shiny finish. To prevent split ends, we recommend kneading the hair wax sparingly into the ends of your hair.
• Regular tip cut
  Last but not least, the ends of your hair should be trimmed regularly by your hairdresser. Hair that has not been cut for a long time becomes thinner, more porous and therefore more prone to split ends. Since hair usually grows about one centimeter per month, you should have the ends trimmed at least every three months.

Even if it is difficult to completely avoid split ends, especially with longer hair, with our care tips for split ends, your hair should soon be healthy, noticeable, stronger and free of split ends. Because only healthy hair will remain free of breakage and split ends in the long term.