Hey Nikki,
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Wondering if you can pose a question to your readers for me. I’m terribly confused at how to identify split ends on my head. When I was relaxed it was easy. The ends were not as smooth and looked frayed. Now that I’m natural. I really have no earthly idea how to tell. I suppose if I had a looser texture it might be easier because the ends would be rougher than the rest of the hair. But I am a 4A so my hair naturally has a coarser texture, so I can’t tell. If I go strictly by the feel than my whole head would be a split end and I’d have to have myself bald. lol. How do I tell? I did trim my hair today and it feels and looks a lot better and combs out nicely. Before I was getting a lot of those single strand knots and the ends had the tendency to look straggly. I believe I cut off 1/4 to 1/2 inch. All I did was just trim each piece until it was even. my ends were very uneven. I couldn’t tell what was split end and what wasn’t. I just trimmed until it looked good to my eye. Any advice would be appreciated. Would love to hear from those with hair patterns like mine especially but all advice is appreciated.
I know its kinda late but my hair is like yours. Try Taaliah Waajid's Body Mistifier
its a spray leave in that is GREAT!!
I have really dry and damaged hair. It is always getting tangled with itself because of the split-ends, and it feels brittle.
I have been looking for a good leave-in conditioner for awhile now. I've tried many different brands. Many left my hair stiff, like styling gel, while others left it greasy, and some just didn't seem to do anything at all.
A couple of months ago I decided to try bottle of Shielo's Antioxidant Leave in Protectant, because the stylist at an expensive salon in NYC recommended it. I thought "why not?"
Before I go into further detail, let me explain my hair more. It is on the longer side, straight, very fine, and color treated. I just wanted to give more info since different hair types might have different results. What works for my straight hair might not work as well for curly hair, and so forth.
The first day I used it I combed it into my towel dried hair, giving the ends of my hair a little extra. The first thing I noticed was that the product wasn't really sticky like many of the other products I have tried, which is great. It also has a very nice scent. Once my hair had dried it was noticeably silkier, smoother, and tangle free! The scent lingered all day.
I have continued to use the product everyday for the past two months. There has been visible improvement in my hair. It isn't as dry anymore, the split-ends haven't gotten worse, and my hair has more shine. Overall, it just looks and feels much healthier.
I have 3b/3c hair about to the middle of my back. I've been noticing tiny single strand knots EVERYWHERE!! I dont get my ends trimmed as much as I should but Im trying to keep up with it now. I've been cutting out all the knots and split ends until I get another trim. Does anyone know what causes these knots to form anyway?
I actually straightened my hair and then cut it. And boy did I need one. I knew it was damaged on the ends because it never turned out right when I wanted to just wear it out using a curly cream and it wasn't healthy looking after I straightened it. Once I cut about 1 1/2- 2 inches off…it looked great. I can't wait to wash it to see how heathly it looks back curly…
Nika..did you jump into my brain!!! I have the same exact issue and is doing the same exact thing and it was the same exact culprit…HAIR COLOR!!!! I've been clipping a little at a time and I too have about 3 or so more inches to go!!! I will not be doing any other permanent color except henna and that will be maybe next year!! I may do an experimental rinse this year but that's about it!!!
Thanks everyone for the advice an thank you for the youtube video. I will definitely use that for dusting once I get my ends healthy. As I stated I already trimmed my ends; I tried the twisting method but that is not as accurrate for me. Anyhow as I was twisting my hair this weekend I found that I am definitely able to feel for split end/damaged hair. I can’t tell by looking. If I close my eyes and drag my hand down the surface of the hair I can definitely tell when the hair goes from smooth to rough. The disappointed part is that I have more hair to cut. I will cut more in about six weeks until all the bad ends are gone. Now I know what to do. NO MORE COLOR for me. On each and every strand I opened my eyes and lo and behold where the texture changed from smooth to ruff is where the color started. I’ll be damned. I think I have about three inches or so on some parts. The back is almost grown out, so not much to cut there. Thanks!
Unless your hair is a certain length, it’s hard to tell if you have split ends by simply looking at your hair while it’s on your head. In my experience it’s much easier to look at your hair after it’s left your head — that is, via natural shedding.
I have mostly 4b hair that’s approximately 7-9″ long. I am usually playing in my hair at some point during the day and so I will often pull out a shed hair. What I usually do is (if I”m alone, lol) look at the end to see if it’s split or thin, then snap it to test its elasticity.
Now, using this method, you can’t let just one or two split ends be your cue IMO. You have to see an unusual number of split ends over a period of time before you can conclude that you have a problem. The number and the time period is up to the individual.
The only time I ever had a serious problem with split ends was when I was using heat weekly. Since giving up heat, I will see maybe two or three TINY split ends in a year. I trim twice a year.
I have 3b, 3c, 4a natural hair; I trim the ends of my hair according to the Lunar Method. This process does wonders for my mane. My hair and ends are well-kept and very healthy, with little to no splits.
I believe Henna also helps. In addition, I have a pair of hair shears which is purely for cutting the ends of the hair.
I’m of the belief the tools you use on your hair are equally important as your products and styling methods. The human hands are number 1, then combs/brushes with no seams.
Once I found the proper products and hair regimen, I was able to feel any split ends in my hair. BTW, after cleansing, I do my final rinse in cold water for 2 minutes (I know its cold) then seal my ends with oil.
I believe this also helps. The ends of my hair are always smooth. Your hair will thank you.
Hope this helps!
I have 3b/4a hair(I think) and I will try to trim about once a month, or when I think about it. Search and destroy works as well as dusting individual twists. When my ends are healthy, I have fewer knots on the ends and I can finger comb more easily.
I’m gonna provide a link to a youtube vid whose method I’ve also followed years past. I have 4a hair that is VERY similar to the woman in the vid. Works for me! 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqWCqHAm-c4
It’s hard to tell. Sometimes my ends won’t curl as much, or the ends get tangled badly and I know its tims. I just have my ends trimmed every 3 months or so….an habit from my relaxed days.
I still honor the search and destroy missions from my relaxed days. I just sit down for about twenty minutes every week or so and do a S&D. The truth is that now that I am natural, I hardly have any split ends to begin with 🙂
I’ve had the exact same thoughts as you for quite some time. I’m interested in the responses as well.
I felt the same way, so I could see them a lot better when I but twist in my hair. See if that helps.
Hi! I havent relaxed since 2006 and have been completely natural for about a year and a half. I also have no idea how to tell how many splits I have! That said, chances are there arent that many, since you’ve likely cut out most sources of splits, ie, chemicals, heat, combing/brushing dry hair. I will see an occasional split on one of the sides and will maybe snip it off, but I have no idea how many are in the back or on the top of my head. The way I deal with splits that may or may not be there, is do a self trim every 5-6 months. I will either twist and snip the ends, or coil individual curls around my fingers and snip the end. Normally after about 6 months my ends are difficult to get through anyway, so this works for me. Hope this helps!
i simply look at the ends of my hair and if the strand is split, then i clip it. i don’t think it’s a good idea to go by feel because sometimes your ends may just be dry.
i usually do search and destroy missions once a week and dust lightly once a month while my hair is in twists.