Split ends are one of the major hair problems that can make a big difference in how your curls look and feel, but unless you’re used to seeing them, they are not always easy to spot. If you have curly hair, identifying your split ends can prove to be even more difficult, as it is easy for them to hide in between your coils and curls.
So how do you know if your curls are suffering from split ends? In this article, we’ll explain exactly what split ends look like on curly hair, the signs of split ends, and how to stop them before they take over your curls. Keep scrolling to see the top signs to watch out for.
What Are Split Ends?
Split ends are areas on the hair where the hair shaft splits or frays into two or more parts as a result of damage. As the name implies, split ends generally occur at the ends of the hair, but the hair can split in other parts as well. They are a very common symptom of wear and tear that happens when the cuticle is weak and unable to protect the hair shaft properly, allowing for cracks and damage in the structural core of the hair.
What Causes Split Ends?
- Chemical Treatments: Hair treatments like bleaching or dying the hair, which cause major changes to the cuticle, can weaken the hair shaft and result in split ends.
- Incorrect Detangling Technique: Physical damage from detangling your hair incorrectly or with too much force can cause friction around your ends and cause them to break or splinter.
- Excessive Heat: Excessive heat styling is another common cause of heat damage, as you are technically weakening the cuticles each time you apply heat, and over time, your hair will start to show some of that wear and tear by splitting.
- Tight Hairstyles: Super tight hairstyles that put too much tension on your strands can also result in split ends since they require a lot of mechanical tension to install and undo.
What Do Split Ends Look Like On Curly Hair
Split ends can look different depending on how the hair has split, but on curly hair, they commonly look like little knots along the ends of the hair. This is because when the hair splits, it becomes knotted and tangled because curly hair tends to fold and curl into itself. However, the hair can also appear to have the more traditional Y-shaped split end, where one strand splinters into two and creates a small branch that is thin and very fragile.
Other Signs Of Split Ends To Look Out For
● Fairy Knots: On curly hair, fiery knots are the final endpoint of split ends. If left unattended, the frayed ends will become knotted and tangled as a result of your texture, so if you notice that your hair has a lot of fairy knots, it could be a sign of split ends.
● Tangles And Constant Breakage: Frizzy, brittle curls that get tangled and break off in small pieces whenever you style or comb your hair are another sign of split ends.
● Thin Ends: The split or frays ends of the hair generally appear thinner compared to the rest of your hair, so if you notice a stark difference in the thickness of your hair around the ends, it could be a sign your ends are frayed and weak.
How To Prevent Spilt Ends On Curly Natural Hair
1. Trim Often
Split ends can not be repaired once you get them. But, it is important to trim your ends to keep them from travelling up the hair shaft and affecting other parts of the hair. Trim your ends every 8-12 weeks, even if you don't have any major signs of split ends. It will keep your ends healthy, even, and prevent any from coming up.
2. Moisture Is Your Friend
Keeping your curls properly moisturised is very important for keeping split ends at bay. If your hair lacks moisture, friction will cause the strands to become tangled with each other, creating the knots and splits you are desperately trying to avoid. Apply a nourishing leave-in like our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner 2-3 times a week, then follow up with our Hair & Scalp Oil to seal in the moisture. Giving your curls adequate moisture will keep your strands from getting tangled, split, and knotted.
3. Detangle Carefully And Properly
Detangling the hair with too much force is one of the major causes of split ends on curly hair. Never detangle your hair when it's dry, and always detangle gently from ends to the roots using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. To make things easier, you can apply a little bit of our Everyday Curl Refresh to make the hair damp before detangling.
4. Incorporate A Deep Conditioner Into Your Routine
Deep conditioners like Sofnfree's Manuka Honey Deep Conditioning Mask are designed to strengthen and hydrate the hair, leaving no room for dryness or split ends. To keep your hair healthy, use the deep conditioner at least 1-2 times a month.
5. Protect Your Hair Before Going To Bed
The friction that occurs when your hair rubs against your cotton and linen beddings can result in split ends over time. So, going to bed with your hair protected in a silk or satin bonnet is very important. For extra protection, put your hair in a loose bun or pineapple to keep it from being loose, then wear the bonnet.
6. Keep Your Hair Stretched
Curly and tightly coiled hair tends to shrink when left in its natural state, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with shrinkage. Constantly leaving your hair to curl up and fold into itself increases the likelihood of your ends experiencing a little too much friction and splitting. It is best to wear your hair in stretched styles, like twists, plaits, buns, and cornrows, that will keep your strands elongated and reduce tangles and split ends.
Split ends are an annoyance we all have to deal with from time to time, but once you know how to spot them, it will be much easier to manage them and snip them off if necessary. If your ends feel rough, look frizzy, or your curls just aren’t curling like they used to, it might be time for a trim. Keep up with moisture, be gentle when detangling, and don’t hang on to damaged ends hoping they’ll bounce back—they won’t.