Hair is one of the most cosmetically significant parts of the human body and people spend a lot of time and money in trying to ensure that their hair looks beautiful, healthy and groomed. Split ends or technically trichoptilosis is a condition of the hair which causes the ends to split. It comes from the Greek words, ‘tricho’ which means ‘hair’ and the Latin word ‘ptilosis’, which means ‘arrangement of feathers
In this article we talk about split ends and what you can do about them. Before we go into that, however, let’s start at the root of the problem.
Human hair grows out of follicles in the skin. It is made up of a protein called keratin, which is the same as that found in nails. It grows bottom up in that the new cells form at the root and are pushed out. Once they are outside the follicle, they do not receive any nourishment, and therefore die, forming hair. Hair is composed of an outer layer called the cuticle with cells that overlap like the scales of a fish. Under this is the cortex, which forms the bulk of the hair shaft, and at the core is the medulla.
How do Split Ends Form?
There is no single reason for split ends to form. In fact, although there is a lot of medical literature on the commonality of split ends, there is not much on what causes them. What is known, however, is that damage to hair is caused due to any one or all four of the following reasons:
Invariably, split ends form due to mechanical injury and the use of harsh chemicals. Genetics, too, play a role in the nature of the hair, and pathogens that harm the hair are usually very rare.
Mechanical injury to hair can be caused by rough brushing. Rough brushing or even frequent brushing of hair has been shown to cause breakages in the hair follicle, leading to split ends or other conditions where the hair breaks in the middle of the shaft, leading to thinning of hair.
Dry Hair Split Ends
Dry hair split ends is usually not very common as it is more the action of the chemicals used in the shampoo that causes them. The harsher the chemicals, the more are the split ends. There are no details as to which chemicals are safe and which are not for hair. However, here’s what we do know:
Another very common reason is heat application to hair. A typical straight iron generates temperatures up to a 347°F and curlers generate temperatures up to 260°F. At such high temperatures, the keratin degenerates, causing fraying which progresses to splitting. Also, straightening hair when it is wet is not advised because hair absorbs moisture and when a hot iron is applied, it converts this water to steam, which expands the hair cells, causing it to weaken and break.
Home Remedies
According to medical research, there is no known treatment for dead ends. There are various products available in the market that claim to cure split ends, but these chemicals are only good at masking the split ends. Closer examination shows that the split ends remain. The only way of removing split ends is to cut off the hair before the area that is split. The best way to avoid split ends is to avoid to use of harsh chemicals and to brush the hair gently.
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Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.