Split ends - not on the ends.

I'm jumping on the hair advice bandwagon, because I can see there's a lot of hair experience and wisdom out there.

I've been trying to go my hair out to a longish length (armpit length would be long enough) I'm almost there.

But, I haven't cut my hair in 7 months and it needs a trim as I have many split ends. However, these split ends are not at the bottom of my hair but at about ear height.

A previous hairdresser told me I should grow out layers, and I'm not sure if the split ends are the old layers that haven't been cut, or just broken bits from typing my hair back. I have been trying to baby my hair but it is pretty fine.

Just warning you that I'm going really low-end with my hair cut - I'm talking a $10 haircut from a place that doesn't even have sinks. However I have watched them at work and they they seem quite skillful!

So my question is - should I

1 chop it all off in a bob (AGAIN - I did it last year and was hoping not)

2 ask them to do layers to even out the split ends.

3 try to cut off the split ends myself before I go, and just ask them to trim around the bottom.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Are there really split ends or are there just newly growing hairs? If you want to get rid of split ends (especially at that length) and don't want to cut it all off or get heavy layers you might need to trim them yourself. When I had long hair I bought a pair of decent scissors and just cut split ends myself every few weeks. You do need patience and good light though. Best method is to twirl single strands and cut the split ends off that stick out.

If they are healthy but just shorter and your goal was the long hair then I would wait and just let them grow out. The nature of our hair means we always have older and newer hair, it's just visible to different degrees depending on cut and hair type. Maybe some way back you lost more hair than usual and those are now all growing back.

anne

Thanks Astrid. Good point. There are 2 issues - I do have some of both. But some are really split ends, and they are at that higher length.

What you are describing is what I was thinking of for option 3. I'm glad to have some support for that DIY option!

It's definitely the most inexpensive solution. And a good one if you want to have long hair as quickly as possible. Just make sure that your scissors are good, or you are causing even more split ends when you trim the hair.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You should definitely grow your hair to its desired length FIRST, as you are almost there. You can always chop it off afterwards if the mood strikes you again in the Summer time.

Thanks for chiming in again Astrid. Thanks Angie too. Sounds like you're both going for option 3.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Don't cut anything yourself -- that's why you're paying for a haircut.

Barbara Diane

I think split ends are perhaps one of those things that we notice on our own hair, but not someone else's. Matter of fact, mine used to be prolific, but I can't remember ever noticing them on someone else.

UmmLila, I don't know of any hair salon who would do this kind of cut. You can easily do the trimming yourself with the method I mentioned, because there is absolutely no change to the structure of the whole hair cut. You don't really see a difference, you just feel it. If you go to a hair stylist and ask them to fix the split ends your going to get layers. Or shorter hair.

Nishaa

Active Member

I agree with Astrid. And Angie too.
Do not cut your hair if you want long hair. If you go to a hair stylist, any end, they'll chop off some length. Not everyone will notice your split ends though. You could just leave them at that.

texstyle

I'd do what Astrid suggested - but good scissors can't be stressed enough. It's best to buy a new sharp pair made for cutting hair, which are available online for around $10 - $20.

MovingFashionForward

My hair is hip length (and I'm 52) but it wasn't until I started taking special care of it that that became possible. No dying, no bleaching, no heat, no product other than cone-free shampoo and *occasional* cone-free very basic non-sticky conditioner just for the bottom half. I always plait my hair upside down and tie the plait in a big knot/bun when going to sleep to avoid pulling it out by lying on it/rolling over on it etc. I use a real bristle brush (no plastic), and a smooth wide-toothed wood comb when a comb is absolutely necessary. I keep my hair plaited most of the time to avoid pulling it out in daily life (seatbelt mechanisms seem to eat long hair!). And every now and then I take a pair of sharp haircutting scissors, and cut individual split ends. Since I stopped using plastic combs and brushes I've had far fewer split ends, it has to be said. Oh, and I take biotin, a B vitamin, which is known to be good for hair. But probably the thing that has made the most difference is the boring old thing of keeping my hair plaited in a knot on top of my head most of the time. It is rather amazing to have managed to grow my hair in middle age so much longer than I ever managed to grow it as a young thing. (BTW, part of it might also be having my hypothyroid treated.) BTW, I don't go to hairdressers. I just get anyone who happens to be around to trim my hair for free.

Good luck!

Sarah

Sorry that I've taken awhile to get back to this thread.
I started trimming my split ends on Tuesday during a teleconference at work! Not, I'm afraid, using a proper pair of hairdressing scissors. I think though that DH may have a pair.

I think I'll still get a little trim of the ends since it has been about 8 months since I've had one, and I have (since writing the above) found some split ends on the ends too.

Moving Fashion forward, I found your post extremely interesting!! And also points our lots of things that I'm NOT doing (eg I use plastic combs and brushes). I'm not sure that I'd want to follow lot of your recommendations though, as I like wearing my hair out! And I only want a longish hairstyle, not hip length. (Still wow!!).

My DD has strong long hair about waist length that is much thicker than mine, I think this is mostly hereditary - DH used to have thick hair and my father had beautifully strong wavy blond thick hair - he looked great in the seventies! DD does slather on the conditioner though!

I'll look into the Biotin.

Lyn D.

Just getting the bottom ends trimmed sounds like the way to go Anne.
Perhaps a smoothing cream on the fly-aways will make a difference?

Helen11

Had a giggle at your haircut-during -teleconference. Sounds like good use of your time! A former colleague used to take her foot spas to work to make the boring phone meetings more bearable.
Would you trust one of your DDs to find and snip any split ends on the back of your head? And I do think a little trim of the length helps hair feel healthier overall.
I am a little envious of long hair. I feel mine is too fine to look good long. (Another wow! to Moving Fashion Forward )

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