What should you know about dry brittle ends treatment?

Hair that has already split cannot be fused back together by a conditioner. Care can make the strand feel smoother while new growth is protected from additional wear.

The oldest part of each hair strand is exposed to washing, brushing, heat, sunlight, friction and chemical processing for the longest time. This can lift or weaken the outer cuticle, leaving the ends rough, tangled, dull or prone to snapping.

Frequent colouring, bleaching, straightening, tight hairstyles and vigorous towel drying can add to mechanical or chemical stress. A dry-feeling length can also occur when a scalp condition, nutritional problem, medication or broader health change affects hair growth; the ends alone cannot identify the cause.

Use a gentle shampoo on the scalp and let the lather rinse through the lengths rather than scrubbing the ends. Apply conditioner through the mid-lengths and ends, detangle with a wide-tooth comb, and blot water with a soft towel or shirt instead of rubbing.

Reduce high heat and use the lowest practical setting with a heat-protective product when styling. Looser hairstyles, smooth pillow fabrics and regular removal of visibly split tips can limit snagging. A hair professional or clinician can discuss a suitable trim and whether a hair supplement is appropriate; supplements are not a substitute for finding a deficiency or treating a scalp disorder.

Arrange a medical assessment if brittleness is new, widespread or accompanied by noticeable shedding, thinning, bald patches, scalp pain, marked itching, scaling, redness or sores. Seek prompt advice for sudden hair changes after an illness, major stress, a new medicine or a restrictive diet.

A clinician can examine the scalp and hair pattern, review products and medicines, and decide whether testing or treatment is needed. Do not rely on repeated supplement use without advice, because excess nutrients can also be harmful.

Ask whether the pattern suggests shaft damage, a scalp condition or a hair-growth problem; whether any medicines, diet changes or chemical treatments may contribute; and whether an examination or blood tests would help. You can also ask which products and styling practices are least likely to worsen breakage.