What should you know about brittle ends of hair?

The tips have been exposed to washing, brushing, sunlight, clothing, styling, and chemical services for the longest time. As the protective outer layer wears down, ends may feel rough, appear thin or frayed, and split into branches. Heat from straighteners or dryers, bleaching, tight hairstyles, and vigorous detangling can accelerate this wear. Split ends cannot fuse back together; products may temporarily smooth their feel, but the damaged portion must be trimmed. If breakage starts near the scalp or occurs with shedding, the explanation may be different.

Ask a stylist for a small trim of visibly split ends, then handle the lengths gently. Apply conditioner to the ends, detangle with a wide-tooth comb, and avoid pulling through knots. Use lower heat, a heat protectant, loose hairstyles, and a smooth pillow surface if friction is a problem. Space out bleaching and straightening, and protect hair during swimming. Hair Supplement Therapy can be discussed with a clinician when breakage accompanies a suspected nutritional concern; supplements do not mend a split end.

Arrange medical advice if breakage is widespread, begins close to the scalp, or comes with patchy thinning, scalp redness, scale, pain, or sores. Seek a review for sudden shedding or a marked change after illness, a medicine change, or restricted eating. A clinician can distinguish fragile ends from hair loss and identify whether the scalp needs treatment.

Ask whether you are seeing shaft breakage or root shedding, whether a scalp examination is needed, and which hair practices may be worsening the problem. Ask whether a health or nutrition review is appropriate and how to monitor new growth.