Our natural solutions to combat split ends

Split ends are damaged hair that splits at the ends. Split ends are a sign of weakened hair, lacking moisture or nutrition. Split ends are sometimes referred to as "rat tails" or "straw effect" because the hair is visibly damaged, giving the impression that it is in need of maintenance.

Split ends are the result of a number of factors which, over the long term, cause serious damage to the hair. There are external factors, such as pollution, the use of heating appliances or the sun, and internal factors such as deficiencies or dehydration.

Excessive use of heated appliances. Frequent use of a hairdryer, straightening iron, curling iron or other heated tools can alter the protein structure of the hair, making it more susceptible to breakage and split ends. If you find it difficult to do without heated appliances for your daily hair styling, we recommend using a Thermo-protective spray before blow-drying your hair.

Chemical dyes, colouring, bleaching and other chemical treatments can weaken the hair fibre, making it more porous and brittle. This increased porosity makes it easier for split ends to emerge. So why not try henna-based plant-based hair dye? This natural alternative is ideal for minimising the impact of colour on your hair.

Prolonged or daily exposure to the sun. Like the skin, hair is sensitive to UV rays. Prolonged exposure without protection can damage the hair, drying it out and causing split ends. That's why, in the event of prolonged exposure to the sun, we strongly advise you to use a protective oil to limit the harmful effects of the sun's rays on your hair.

There are many other external factors, such as pollution, sea water, chlorine or rubbing your hair (on your pillow, on your clothes, etc.), which can also lead to dry, brittle hair and, of course, split ends.

Nutritional deficiencies not only have an impact on your health, but also on the health of your hair. In fact, hair generally reflects the general health of the body. An unbalanced diet, lacking in essential vitamins and minerals (such as iron, zinc, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids), can affect the quality and strength of your hair.

Insufficient water intake (or even dehydration) affects the whole body, including the hair. Dehydrated hair becomes dry, brittle and more prone to split ends. For optimum hydration, it's advisable to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day.

General state of health: Certain illnesses or hormonal imbalances can affect hair health. This is particularly true of PCOS and other hormonal pathologies. Similarly, stress, taking certain medications or certain heavy medical treatments can weaken hair and lead to the appearance of split ends and brittle ends.

In short, split ends are often the result of a combination of factors. It's essential to protect your hair from external aggressions while looking after your inner well-being to maintain healthy hair.

Split ends and dry ends are two distinct hair problems, although they can often co-exist and stem from similar causes. Here are the main differences between these two hair concerns:

Hair is made up of several layers. On the outside, the cuticle is made up of keratin cells in the form of overlapping scales that protect the inner layers from external aggressors such as chemicals and UV rays. This layer maintains the hair's shine by reflecting light. Beneath the cuticle is the cortex, which makes up most of the hair fibre. Composed mainly of keratin, the cortex contains natural pigments that make it responsible for hair colour.

Split ends are caused by progressive wear and tear of the hair: the cuticle deteriorates and the cortex is exposed. It becomes brittle and eventually splits into several sections, creating split ends. To avoid split ends, it is essential to minimise the use of heated tools, chemical treatments, aggressive brushing and other mechanical aggressions.

Dry ends can be caused by factors similar to split ends, but particularly by a lack of moisture, excessive use of hair products containing alcohol, exposure to the sun, wind or salt water, or washing too often with aggressive shampoos. Dry ends are also caused by damage to the cuticle. When damaged, the cuticle becomes rough and hair can appear dry and dull.

To avoid damaging your hair too much when you wash it, we advise you to try and space out your shampoos as much as possible (every 3 days if possible) in order to re-establish your hair's normal cycle and return to a balanced sebum secretion.

Split ends are a visible separation of the strands. The tip of the hair splits into two or more distinct parts, often towards the end of the strand. The hair also looks dry, rough and porous. Loss of shine is another common symptom. Hair affected by split ends tends to lose its natural shine, leaving it dull. Split ends suffer frequent breakage, making them more fragile. Finally, split ends can make it more difficult to detangle the hair, leading to tangles and frizz.

For split ends: the most direct solution is often to cut off the damaged ends. Once split ends have appeared, it is difficult to completely 'repair' the hair, although certain products can improve its appearance. Hyaluronic acid-based treatments in particular can rehydrate the ends to improve their appearance.

As a general rule, we advise you to 'refresh' your ends by cutting them every 2/3 months to prevent split ends from spreading further up your lengths. When cutting your hair, we recommend that you use appropriate scissors that are specifically designed for cutting hair. Don't try to cut your hair with ordinary scissors, as they're not suitable and could cause more damage than anything else. Of course, you can also choose to go straight to a professional hairdresser.

For dry ends: moisturising is key. Moisturising hair masks, oils, milks and serums can help restore lost moisture, leaving hair supple and shiny.

It's important to note that both conditions can be a sign of unhealthy or abused hair. The right haircare routine, which minimises damage and maximises moisture and nutrition, can help prevent both split ends and dry ends.

Use oils with nourishing properties to apply before washing in an oil bath for maximum hydration. You can also opt for our combination of haircare oils for a complete treatment.

In addition to a balanced diet, you can choose to use food supplements rich in nutrients, amino acids and vitamins that are essential for healthy hair.

To preserve your lengths, you need to adopt the right hair routine to prevent split ends, strengthen hair and maintain moisture.

Use a moisturising oil bath once a week. Mix our plant oils to strengthen hair and prevent split ends. Leave in for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.

Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo, such as Aroma-Zone ORGANIC Neutral Shampoo. This sulphate-free shampoo preserves the hair's natural moisture while gently cleansing.

Apply our Hair Mask Base after washing to strengthen hair and prevent split ends. Leave on damp lengths for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

Combined with gentle gestures such as air-drying and gentle brushing, this routine will effectively prevent split ends and leave your hair stronger and shinier.

From homemade masks and oil synergies to end-repair serums, discover our simple, natural recipes for caring for your ends and restoring healthy hair.