This model does not have a problem with split ends. For the rest of us, there are split end repair products – and trimming.

Dear FutureDerm.com,

I was wondering what, if anything, can be done for split ends.

-A

Dear A,

Despite the plethora of products on the market that promise to deliver “repaired” hair, there is no way to permanently fix a split end.  With that said, however, there are a number of ways to temporarily do so.  Our favorite:

1.)  Start with wet hair.

How Split End Products Work. This process works even better on damp hair, as the drying action (of heat or air) helps to seal the cross-links into hair.

As shown above, all split end repairing products work in the same fashion:  The aldehydes and hydrolyzed keratin amino acids in the product react with the keratin in your hair.  Once the reaction occurs, bridges form between the split pieces of hair, bonding new keratin onto the hair’s surface.  These bridges effectively “glue” the hair strand back together.

It is a smart idea to use these split end-mending products whenever your hair is still damp.  The drying action will help to set the keratin bonds in your hair.

2.)  Use a proven product.

It’s famous for a reason, and it’s not being on a reality show:  this one’s famous because it works.  The clear winner of a FutureDerm comparison of 5 split end repair products last year,  Nexxus Pro-Mend Repair Creme has the highest concentration of hair-mending agents of any brand we’ve tried.  It also boasts a creamy consistency that hydrates the hair well, and does not weigh down normal to fine hair as much as other products.

However, any hair-binding agent will make hair a little flat, so I recommend using it on the ends only for those with fine to medium straight hair.  It works well on thick or curly hair exceptionally well, reducing frizz and making it easier to glide through with brushing.  Overall, I love Nexxus Pro-Mend Repair Creme and would recommend it to anyone.  Definitely worth the investment – after all, you probably will be delaying your salon visit another three months!  :-)

Ingredients in Nexxus Pro-Mend Repair Creme

Water, Phenyltrimethicone, Dimethicone, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polyquaternium 37, Polyquaternium 28, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aspartic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Fragrance (Parfum), PPG 1 Trideceth 6, Glyceryl Stearate, PVM/MA Copolymer, Dimethiconol, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylcinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut), Keratin Amino Acid,Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract (Jasmine)

3.)  Trim them off.

If you don’t trim your split ends regularly, the damage can travel up the hair shaft, and cause a lot of damage to the cuticle. This requires a significant hair cut.

If you don’t trim off your split ends, they will travel up the hair shaft.  Over time, split ends can actually cause damage to the hair cuticle, which requires a significant haircut.  We recommend getting a trim at least once every 6 to 8 weeks.

What About Tourmaline Heat?

While I’ve heard rumors that tourmaline plates can also temporarily seal split ends, I’m a little skeptical, because tourmaline works via negative ions.  The negative ions can decrease the diameter of hair by up to 25% when they are applied, which makes thick hair smoother, shinier, and more manageable.  Unfortunately, the negative ions don’t seal together split ends.

Bottom Line

If you want to get rid of split ends, trim your hair often, and try a split-end mending product like Nexxus Pro-Mend between trims.