With winter knocking on the door, the issue of split ends has never been worse. The splitting or fraying of hair shafts, medically called trichoptilosis, the condition is caused by chemical, mechanical or thermal stress to the hair that eats away at the outer layer of the haircuticle and leaves the hair frayed. The best way to get rid of split ends is to trim your hair as they can break off or split up the rest of your hair otherwise, however, if you don’t want to cut down on the length of your hair, the best way is to use natural remedies that can help control the damage non-invasively.
The top 9 DIY split end remedies you need
Here are 9 home remedies that can help you get rid of split ends at home.
Egg mask
With a ton of protein and essential fatty acids, eggs can help treat split ends. They can help strengthen the follicles, make the hair smoother, release tangles and strengthen the hair. You will have to brush your hair prior to applying the mask to prevent tangles.
Whisk the egg yolk, mix in 2-3 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp. honey. Apply onto damp hair. Leave for 30 mins and rinse off. Shampoo your hair post treatment to reduce the smell and get the remnants out.
Hot oil deep conditioner
Deep conditioning the hair with hot oils can restore moisture that can help control split ends.
Heat some olive oil/Almond oil/Coconut oil/castor oil or any custom blend in a microwave for 20 seconds. Massage into hair and scalp. Leave in for 45 minutes and shampoo the hair. Repeat at least once weekly.
Avocado
Avocados can be an excellent deep conditioning agent to get the luscious locks you have always wanted. Loaded with proteins, folic acid, essential fatty acids, vitamin A, D and E and magnesium to nourish the hair and boost hair growth. It can help to soften the hair and reduce the split ends.
Puree a ripe avocado and mix in 2 tbsp. olive oil and coconut oil to get a creamy consistency. Apply generously on the hair, avoiding the roots, leave on for 30mins, rinse off and shampoo. Repeat weekly for best results.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise, surprisingly can help restore damaged hair. It can help nourish your hair, prevent split ends and provides a soft and shiny look.
Towel dry wet hair, and massage ½ cup of mayonnaise into your hair. Leave it in for 15-20 mins, rinse out and shampoo your hair, repeating weekly or biweekly. Mayonnaise can leave the hair smelly, you can counter the problem by mixing in a few drops of your favorite essential oil with the mayonnaise before using the mix.
Beer
Not only good as an alcoholic drink, beer can help reduce split ends by helping your hair with the proteins and sugar it needs. It can act as an excellent conditioner, adding shine and volume to the hair.
Shampoo the hair, pour flat beer in a spray bottle and spray over the hair, avoiding the roots onto damp hair. Leave it in and don’t rinse your hair out. The smell will go away in a while as your hair dries completely.
Bananas
With its high content of natural oils, zinc, potassium, iron and vitamins, it can help to restore damaged hair and control breakage. It can help to soften and moisturize the hair, repair it and boost manageability.
Mix a ripe banana, 2 tbsp plain yogurt, a few drops of rose water and lemon juice in a blender, apply in your hair, leave in for an hour and wash off.
Papaya
With proteins, papaya can help nourish the hair and reduce split ends, adding body to the hair, removing buildup and restoring the natural softness and shine of the hair.
Blend papaya and yogurt, apply into hair, leave in for 30 mins, rinse out and shampoo.
Honey
Honey can attract moisture and provide nutrients to the hair and can help to naturally condition and moisturize the hair to make it soft and shiny.
Mix 2 tbsp honey in 4 cups warm water, shampoo the hair and use the mix as a rinse, leave on for a few minutes and rinse off.
Aloe vera
Aloe can help to moisturize dry and damaged hair to prevent and control split ends. Simply massage into the hair. Combine with 1 tbsp. lemon juice and 2 tbsp castor/coconut/olive/jojoba oil for better benefits.
