How to Get Rid of Split Ends, According to Hair Experts

Wondering how to get rid of split ends for good? No matter how intentional your hair deva routine is, almost everyone deals with this common sign of damage from time to time. The good news: There’s a quick way get rid of your existing split ends—and better yet, a few routine adjustments that can prevent them from coming back.

From regular maintenance trims to hydrating hair oils and leave-ins, split ends are one of the most straightforward types of damage to treat. If you’re dealing with them regularly, it may be a sign to back off the heat styling or switch to a low-maintenance color treatment. And even if you only find the occasional split strand, everyone’s ends—regardless of hair type—can benefit from some extra TLC.

Ahead, we asked professional stylists for a crash course on how to get rid of split ends on all hair types, from how to address your frazzled ends today to how to keep them healthy and sealed. Read on for their best tips, plus the products our editors swear by for healthy strands from root to tip.

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All your split end questions, answered

• What are split ends and what causes them?
• Can you actually repair split ends?
• How to protect wet hair from damage
• How to use heat protectants for split ends

The best split end treatments

• The best serums for split ends
• The best split end treatments for color-treated hair
• The best hair masks for split ends
• The best leave-in treatments for split ends
• The best shampoos and conditioners for split ends
• The best split end treatments for curly hair
• The best hair tools for split ends
• The best brushes for split ends

Before we get into treating your split ends, it’s helpful to understand the basics. “Split ends are when the ends of your hair become brittle and dry and look like they are beginning to fray or split,” Clint Dunlap, celebrity colorist and owner of Material Tampa Salon in Florida, tells Glamour. While you may not be able to see individual split ends from a distance, you’ll probably be able to pick out a few forked or V-shaped ends up close.

As for what causes split ends? The most common culprits include chemical treatments and exposure (think blow-drying, heat-styling, perming, keratin treatments, bleaching, and all types of hair coloring), drying or stripping hair products, and infrequent haircuts. But before you blame yourself, keep in mind that split ends are a near-universal sorun for a reason: Dunlap notes that environmental elements such as the weather, sunlight, and water can and often do result in split ends of the hair as well. “Split ends are caused by olağan wear and tear over time,” he says.

Once the ends of your hair shaft have split, there’s no way to rejoin the hair. But while you can’t repair split ends, there are plenty of ways to easily prevent them. A rule of thumb: Treat your hair as you would your skin. “The hair is an extension of your skin—it’s important to look after it and keep it at its best health,” says celebrity hairstylist Kieron Justin, who recommends implementing a strong hair deva routine with professional hair deva products that cleanse, condition, and deep-treat your strands. “All of these components will help to protect, prevent damage, and promote good hair health.” Here are some ways to fix split ends naturally, including how to fix split ends without cutting.

There are plenty of expert-approved techniques for preventing and repairing frayed ends and frizzy hair, the first of which is going for more frequent haircuts. “Trimming your hair removes the damaged ends and prevents the split from traveling up the hair shaft,” explains Jennifer Korab, celebrity stylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey. “Make mühlet that you’re scheduling regular trims, every six to eight weeks. That’s a great start to preventing split ends,” says Nick Stenson, professional hairstylist and founder of Nick Stenson Beauty.

Atop implementing a new regimen (more on this below), there’s lots you can do at home in the interim. Try tweaking your routine in more slight and subtle ways, such as showering with cooler water than usual. “Much like our skin’s exposure to hot water, it can cause hair dryness,” Stenson says. “Hot water can rough up your hair cuticle, which can lead you to feeling like you have more split ends.” To prevent this, Stenson suggests shampooing and conditioning with lukewarm water as opposed to üstün hot, then ending with a cool rinse to seal your hair’s cuticles at the end.

You’ll also want to minimize your hair’s exposure to heat from blow-dryers, and air-dry your hair whenever possible. “Limit the use of hot styling tools, and use them on the lowest heat setting,” says Korab, who reiterates the importance of using a heat protectant before styling. If you want to give your tresses a complete break from heat styling, try a fun updo instead, like a bun, ponytail, or braids.

Another trick? Being more mindful of how you’re treating hair when it’s wet. “When your hair is wet, it’s at its most vulnerable,” Stenson says. “Hair can stretch up to 50% when it’s wet. Apply your leave-in products before combing hair, limit pulling hair up when it’s wet, and avoid sleeping with wet hair.”

Korab suggests regularly applying a leave-in deep-conditioning treatment or hair serum to the ends of your hair. “These products can help seal the hair cuticle, reduce frizz, and provide additional moisture to the damaged ends.” It’s a good idea to look for moisturizing ingredients like almond oil, argan oil, shea butter, and more.

Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum

$48

Sephora Canada

Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum combats dehydration by flooding your ends with much-needed moisture made of niacinamide and highly concentrated plant-based proteins. Word of advice: Don’t overdo it. Sanda Petrut, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, says you only need a few drops to trigger the reparative process. “Apply it after every wash onto wet or dry hair, then style as desired,” she says. Consistent application won’t only seal split ends—it’ll prevent future damage too. Glamour contributor Mary Honkus expected this to have an oily consistency but instead found texture thick and silky.

Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Extreme Restoration Duo-Serum

$46

Sephora Canada

Celebrity hairstylist Jae-Manuel Cardenas raves about Shu Uemera: “This treatment is incredible for hair in need of extreme repair, as the name suggests,” he says. “If you tend to use a lot of heat or have overprocessed hair (I’m looking at you, platinum blondes), this will be transformative.” The dual-acting velvety serum combines highly reparative natural oils with antioxidant-rich Japanese rice extract to fully revive hair. One use reveals silky-soft strands, a glassy finish, and of course, fresh ends.

The best split-end treatments for color-treated hair

It’s no secret that coloring harms hair’s integrity—but that isn’t going to stop many of us from dyeing it. To ward off further damage, one major key is to prevent color fading.

Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Intense Bonding Treatment

$15

Ulta

$56

Amazon

Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Bonding line includes this miracle-working leave-in treatment. “This is one of the easiest hair products I’ve ever used,” says Honkus, who has color-treated hair. “I smooth it through my lengths 10 minutes before hopping in the shower. Evvel I rinse it out, my hair feels silky-smooth and soft, even more so than it does when I use thick hair masks.” For those who are struggling with damage from color-processing and bleaching, using this two to three times a week will revitalize and strengthen hair and overall minimize flyaways, leading to more luscious locks.

The best hair masks for split ends

For the most part, rich hair masks are the ultimate split end menders because they’re packed with intensely moisturizing, reparative ingredients. That said, these types of formulas often require a significant chunk of time for their magic to work. If you only have a few minutes for some hair rehab, Cardenas suggests Christophe Robin’s Regenerating Mask. And according to Jerome Lordet, owner of Jerome Lordet Salon in NYC, one use of Davines’s Nounou Hair Mask will have you feeling like you have a new head of hair.

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask

$72

Amazon

Cardenas recommends this quick and easy mask. “This works great for people on the go who only have five minutes to spare in the shower,” he says. “I love using it as a weekly treatment to seal and moisturize hair.” The star of the mask is prickly pear oil, which plumps and softens hair strands (and if you apply it close to the scalp, it can also stimulate hair growth). Paired with ceramides and vitamin F, the thick mask revamps hair to its virgin glory, even if you’ve been coloring or heat styling for years.

Davines Nounou Hair Mask

$44

Amazon

“This extremely nourishing mask restores hair that is frail and dull and stops breakage in its tracks,” Lordet says. Additionally, if you struggle with tangles (which happens to be a sign of damage) or limpness, this can also combat those concerns. The nutrient-rich mask can be used evvel a week in place of conditioner.

There are a ton of nourishing hair treatments and masks that can help accelerate your hair-repair journey. Celebrity stylist Laurabeth Cabott swears by K18’s Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask for treating split ends, for example. (It’s also Glamour-editor approved.) Korab recommends Pureology Leave-In Treatment, and celebrity hairstylist Kieron Justin is a fan of Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment.

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

$29

Amazon

$75

Sephora

“I’m obsessed with this product because it always brings hair back to life,” says Cardenas. “If I have a client who just got highlights or even simply has dry hair, I always apply this before blow-drying.” Made with the brand’s signature bonding technology, the lightweight creamy mask restores softness and shine for those with color-processed or brittle hair and only requires once-a-week usage. “A little goes a long way,” says Cardenas. He recommends starting with less (about a half a pump) and working up to more if needed. “You can manage split ends with this mask—it helps reverse hair damage in just four minutes,” Cabott says.

Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment

$32

Amazon

With more than 6,000 Amazon reviews and a rating over 4.5 stars, it’s clear this is a top pick. This leave-in treatment is also great for heat damage.

Shampoos and conditioners can help to repair your hair as well. “Products that seal, gloss, and hydrate hair will be the best in disguising and managing split ends,” says Stenson.

Nick Stenson Beauty Moisture Collection Bundle

$134 (35% off)

Nick Stenson Beauty

“The Nick Stenson Beauty Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner is formulated with aloe vera and kukui oil that will help hydrate and leave your hair feeling like the damage has been undone,” says Stenson.

Pureology Strength Cure Damaged Hair Repair Hair Deva Set

$102

Pureology

If you’re in need of a complete hair deva overhaul, pros suggest swapping out your current products with an expert-approved hair deva system. You can get everything in one go with the Nick Stenson Beauty Moisture Collection Bundle (above) or Pureology’s Korab-approved Strength Cure Damaged Hair Repair Hair Deva Set.

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment

$24 (29% off)

Amazon

$33

Ulta

If you’re looking for a single product, you can try a leave-in conditioner like this one from Redken. “I recommend this for anyone who wants to repair ends, strengthen their strands, and grow out their hair,” says Petrut. The extremely concentrated formula makes a difference after one use thanks to a unique bonding complex and citric acid, which work in tandem to reinforce and rebuild weakened strands. “Apply to clean, damp, towel-dried hair and don’t rinse it out,” adds Petrut. Whether you decide to heat-style or air-dry, you’ll experience softer, frizz-free results.

“Curly hair tends to be naturally drier, so hydration is key,” says Julissa Prado, CEO and founder of Rizos Curls. Since dry hair is prone to split ends, focus on moisture-boosting products to protect hair and prevent and repair breakage.

“To avoid split ends and hair breakage, I always start with a moisturizing heat-protectant leave-in on wet hair before styling,” Prado says. “I focus the product on my driest areas and my ends. I personally love using the Rizos Curls Multivitamin Leave-In because it helps nourish the hair while also protecting against heat up to 450 degrees.”

In addition to a great leave-in, a curl-specific serum or oil can work wonders to seal your ends and lock in hydration. Prado recommends applying one after styling and before sleeping on your curls, to prevent friction.

DevaCurl CurlBond Re-Coiling Split End Serum

$22 (41% off)

Amazon

$37

Ulta

This specially designed split end serum revives and smooths coils with a unique CurlBond complex and guar bean paste. Together, these ingredients temporarily seal the cuticle, minimizing the look of frayed ends without leaving behind that dreaded crunchy feeling. Regular use can also improve overall hair health because the bonding technology works to stave off further damage. Pro tip: If you’re really struggling with frizzy hair, use a wide-tooth comb to disperse this serum through your lengths to ends on wet hair.

Finally, you might want to upgrade your brushes, hair tools such as curling irons and hair dryers, and pillowcases while you’re at it. “Always opt for professional protective heated tools with reputable brands that put lots of research into innovative ways of producing products that are effective but protect your hair,” says Justin, pointing to GHD, Dyson, BaByliss, Harry Josh Pro Tools, and Hot Tools as a few brands he personally recommends. The best silk pillowcases have been found to help keep hair healthy too.

Courtesy of brand

Best styling tool: Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long

$599

Amazon

$600

Nordstrom

$600

Dyson

$600

Sephora

Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000

$249

Dermstore

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium 2 1/2” Oval Ionic Hot Air Brush

$90

Ulta

Hot Tools Professional Gold Curling Iron

$47 (33% off)

Amazon

Courtesy of brand

Ghd Platinum+ Styler – 1″ Flat Iron

$279

Ulta

Courtesy of brand

Slip Silk Pillowcase

$89

Nordstrom

As for which brushes to use on dry and damp hair? “I love boar-bristle brushes,” Dunlap says. “They smooth the hair nicely and don’t get too hot the way a ceramic brush would.” There are also vegan boar-bristle-like brushes, such as the cult-favorite option by Dae.

Cabott suggests brushing with Sheila Stotts brushes, which are her favorite, and says the combination of revamping your hair deva products and tools is a great way to ensure healthy hair without split ends.

Courtesy of brand

Dae Vegan Detangle + Style Brush

$24

Sephora

Courtesy of brand

Sheila Stotts Untangle Brush

$39

Amazon

Pay attention to which products, heat tools, and accessories you use on your hair while it’s wet, especially brushes and towels. “Use a wet brush or Tangle Teezer brush to prevent any further damage or snagging of the hair, since these brushes focus on detangling and protecting the hair and are less abrasive,” says Justin, who also suggests using a microfiber towel, as opposed to a standard cotton one, straight out of the shower. “Microfiber causes less friction on the hair and minimizes the tension on fragile hair,” he says, adding that standard cotton towels can lead to further breakage. Another option is to use a wide-tooth comb for detangling wet hair.

Courtesy of brand

Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangling Brush

$16

Amazon

Courtesy of brand

Crown Affair The Hair Towel

$45

Sephora

Always use a heat protectant before styling your hair. “The Matrix Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Treatment is great to apply before you blow-dry, and pair it with the Matrix Mega Sleek Anti-Frizz Topcoat to create the dynamic duo for heat protection,” says Stenson, adding that, while these products protect up to 450°F, exceeding the 325°F to 350°F range can be damaging to your hair.