Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Is it normal for long hair to have lots of split ends?

26 replies

Note3 · 26/04/2017 19:57

For the first time in years I have long hair. Part of me is happy and the other part has noticed that although I have regular trims I have billions of split ends.

I think my hair is just not suited to this length and breaks too easily but maybe this is normal?

Please advise else I'll just get it chopped for no reason!

OP posts:

Destinysdaughter · 26/04/2017 20:01

How long is your hair? Mine is shoulder length and quite fine, splits and breaks off really easily. It simply won't grow really long either. Think it's important to condition well and have regular trims.

AnneLovesGilbert · 26/04/2017 20:03

Mine is bra strap length and doesn't tend to get split ends. The fringe does but I straighten the hell out of it so I trim it quite often which helps keep it neat.

The rest hasn't been cut for months but I only wash it twice a week (fringe every other day) which helps prevent the ends getting too dry.

Sample1936 · 26/04/2017 20:05

Almost everyone has them.
Trimming regularly, genes, healthy hair, gentle brushing habbits help.

ChocChocPorridge · 26/04/2017 20:11

I have some crazy theories about split ends. I'm rubbish about remembering to cut my hair, yet rarely get them. The only time I've ever had split ends was when I was with a guy with long hair who got them. I think they're catching somehow.. within a few months of splitting with that guy, the split ends all grew out and fell out, and I've not had a problem since.

It is a crazy thought though. I don't see how it's possible. It must be the water or the shampoo or something, even though those didn't change at the time, and have changed frequently before and since.

Original poster

Note3 · 26/04/2017 20:17

Chochoc you've made me chuckle
Split ends...the actual real life cousins of nits

OP posts:

WhirlwindHugs · 26/04/2017 20:20

I used to have this problem.

Lots and lots of conditioner on the ends so you can brush it through with your fingers easily and not brushing with a hairbrush too often (I only brush once a week probably) helps a lot.

Original poster

Note3 · 26/04/2017 20:21

My hair is down to where my bra sits across my back. I straighten it once every 3 or so months at the mo and same for blow drying as I generally shower with shampoo and conditioning treatment then leave it to dry naturally. It's mostly worn up in a ponytail so minimal brushing.

It's a novelty having long hair but it's truly awful seeing the amount of split ends - if I gather a handful I can see at least a fifth of the strands are broken and split if not more

OP posts:

Original poster

Note3 · 26/04/2017 20:21

Whirlwind - seriously??? Brush once a week?? Think I'd look like a wannabe caveman

OP posts:

slightlyglitterbrained · 26/04/2017 20:25

I don't use a hairbrush (comb or fingers only), lots of conditioner, and I still get split ends. Every now and then I chop the bottom couple of inches off to get rid of them.

Have been thinking of going short and donating my hair for ages, but worry that the split ends will make it unusable. It's generally shiny and pretty strong apart from the ends so not sure what else I can do.

babymouse · 26/04/2017 20:25

Try dusting regularly so the splits don't travel up the hair.
www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/wavy-hair-type-2/youve-been-asking-for-a-trim-but-you-really-want-a-dusting/

WhirlwindHugs · 26/04/2017 20:27

Honestly try it! I I have really fine hair, and brushing daily makes my hair knotty and flat.

I only worked this out after I had a curly haired child though and started doing the masses of conditioner and no dry-brushing with her. Thought I would give it a go!

Original poster

Note3 · 28/04/2017 20:20

Hmm think I will try extra conditioner and minimal brushing (not sure can manage no brushing at all!)

If not I'm definitely snipping!

OP posts:

CotswoldStrife · 28/04/2017 20:22

My DD has long hair and I think it breaks a bit where the elastic goes in for a ponytail, IYSWIM. I try and plait it and then the band goes at the bottom of the hair.

CuthbertDibble · 28/04/2017 20:34

You can't repair split ends so you need to get that bit cut off, it will grow again, but get it cut so you get rid of the nasty end bits, the longer you leave it the worse and the higher up the split ends get.

OlennasWimple · 28/04/2017 20:56

A hairdresser once spent ages and ages on my long hair putting it into small sections and trimming upwards to cut off the split ends that jump out when it is twisted tight.

Original poster

Note3 · 29/04/2017 08:53

Thanks all for the feedback. I've just found this page which has reiterated what some peeps above just said. I feel reassured as I think it's that the very ends are fine but the ends that are just a bit shorter are untrimmed and broken. It makes sense as my children like to practise hair dos and it's painful and you can feel the hair ripping so I imagine they've broken it along the shaft like the article says.

I'm going to get a couple of inches cut and try and do the corkscrew trim in between to get more off.

www.philipkingsley.co.uk/hair-guide/hair-concerns/split-ends/

OP posts:

Cineraria · 29/04/2017 09:04

My hair is mostly uncut (every now and again I trim it to a length that stops it falling down the loo). I find a plait or a couple of plaits worn overnight so all the loose ends have time to escape is better than twisting to trim the split ends off the lengths. My hair feels lots better after that.

ofudginghell · 29/04/2017 09:51

Tying up in bobbles grips clips etc will cause tension breakage more than taking a brush through your hair.
Hair should be combed when wet with a wide tooth comb (when conditioners on) and brushed gently once dry.

SuperFlyHigh · 29/04/2017 10:05

I've had longer hair and now hair is about 3 inches below bra strap level.

I don't get it trimmed a lot as trying to grow but do get a dusting if I feel it needs it.

Letting it dry naturally but also blow drying (2 minute blast) helps my hair. A good conditioner on the ends helps but I also use a leave in conditioner (Tony and Guy do a serum you can get in Boots or Fudge a urban leave in conditioner) when damp and an Aveda finishing liquid to smoothe down flyaways and sometimes a Moroccan oil spray to give it a gleam. I have used hand cream, and John Frieda does various leave in finishing creams which are nice. I agree about a wide toothed comb (Afro comb), I've actually got a wide toothed vent brush which I comb through the hair with as well as an Afro comb but prefer the brush.

The Wet brush (think that's the name) see MN swears By, I've got the handbag size of it, but used it recently when away and think I'll get the normal sized version, it's great on wet hair, better than Tangle Teezers!

Original poster

Note3 · 29/04/2017 11:00

I definitely need to get a wide tooth comb and I've realised my brushing isn't always gentle. Thanks everyone, getting great ideas

OP posts:

user1489179512 · 29/04/2017 11:30

Straightening hair must cause these issues.

Housewife2010 · 29/04/2017 11:57

Brushing wet hair when hair is at its weakest can cause split ends, even with a Wet Brush.

SuperFlyHigh · 29/04/2017 13:06

Housewife so why is the Wet brush sold then?!

Gah81 · 29/04/2017 13:18

I have long, fine hair and a tendency to split ends. The thing that has really worked for me is applying coconut oil to the ends of the hair before washing, then applying the oil to the ends again as leave in conditioner. Hair has stayed split-free for longer.

Housewife2010 · 29/04/2017 15:46

SuperFlyHigh Why are cigarettes sold? Not everything that is sold is good for you.

Flip

1 2