by
Rinny
By Rinny of MissRiot.com
Recently, I decided to straighten my hair for graduation with a blow-out after about 1.5 years of not using any heat and almost 3 years of not straightening it. Ironically, 1.5 years ago was also the last time I had a trim. I know it might seem really awful but I usually wear my hair in protective styles and religiously deep condition and seal my ends.
After the blow-out, my hair looked perfectly healthy. I kept my hair moisturized with light oils to prevent it from being weighed down from product build-up. A few weeks later, I noticed my ends were doing something weird I’d never seen before…FEATHERING. I panicked and headed to the nearest store to try out any product that utilized the new PEC technology to mend split ends. First I tried, TRESemme’ Split Remedy leave-in conditioning treatment which “reduces up to 80% of split ends after 3 uses.”($8.99 at CVS) I figured I could apply this stuff; roller set my hair and be out for the evening. Boy, was I wrong. I didn’t see much difference outside of the fact that it made my hair revert. (At this point I’m still clinging on to a 4-week old blow-out)
I decided to try another product, Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Binding Targeted leave-in Treatment Crème ($10.99 at Target) This product promised, “Repairs up to 92% of split ends.” I applied the product and proceeded to do a bantu knot-out. The next day, my hair just looked confused. Sure, it felt soft and moisturized but a 92% split end miracle-worker? Maybe 75%. These products could potentially help in the long-run if you “use their entire product line” as suggested but don’t expect overnight miracles.
I think part of my problem is my hair just wanted to revert back to its natural state and much of the frizz I mistook for split ends could have very well been a curl coup. However, I think I’m way overdue for a trim.
Ladies, have you tried split end repair products? What has your experience been?
30 Responses
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The reason why the product didn’t work is because the description is a little misleading. The Nexxus Pro Mend Products are actually binders. There are chemicals in the product that bind “NOT MEND” the ends back together; kind of like a glue. And high heat makes this process work better. So if you are not into heat styling you may not see alot of difference. The heat works to bind the glued ends even more.
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Never heard of mending split ends O.o, I thought that wasn’t possible! I’m still a firm believer of trims though, that sorts split ends out. That and my trusty bottle of pro naturals moroccan argan oil. That stuff has always protected my hair from getting split ends 🙂
Split-end menders aren’t really menders in the sense that they “fix” your split ends. Many of them will read on the bottle that they’re meant for preserving the appearance of your hair between trims. Many people get regular trims, be they four weeks at a time to three months, etc. What these products are meant to do is to temporarily hold your ends together between those times so that you don’t have to go out with your hair looking like ////// at the bottom.
When I wear my hair straight, I’ll use just a dollop of Organix Coconut Milk Split-Ends Mender on my ends and some of the length of my hair (because my hair broke off in random places before I started transitioning, so it’s different lengths all over), then put my hair in a satin bonnet. For some reason, wrapping it doesn’t have the same effect for me. The first time I used it, my ends had gotten REALLY bad and the difference the next morning was amazeballs. They looked pretty held together for the most part and where I’d applied it to the length of my hair had much more movement. And it’s cheap & lasts a long time because you honestly only need a dollop to get the job done.
L.M.B.O. I was just typing away on this iPhone and did not realize just how loooong that post was. I appreciate ANYONE who would take the time to read it and respond. Hey, maybe a few people may benefit. Again, my apologies. LOL. -God Bless!
I had a professional trim back in December that left my hair pretty thick at the ends, so I’m positive that the stylist got all of any existing split ends off, and probably then some. I was a little annoyed by the amount that was trimmed off because I think that it may have been a bit excessive since I didn’t need my hair to be cut evenly all over as I never wear it out. It gets washed weekly, only sees a comb on wash day and only when dripping wet and loaded with conditioner in the shower. I deep condition with every wash and retired my blow dryer about this time last year. I leave my hair to air dry loaded with leave-in. And yes, I do apply moisture daily (sometimes twice) with a water-based concoction of my own. I use nothing more than my fingers, the rest of the week, in my hair and detangle with the utmost care and patience. With such low manipulation, I find it hard to believe that I would develop many split ends.
I decided against the stylist’s suggestion of getting yet another trim in just 6-8 weeks after what looked like she borderline gave me a cut instead of a trim. Instead, I waited almost 16 weeks and had my friend (who does hair but mostly weaves/wigs and perms) straighten my hair with a flat iron to trim my hair while straight. I thought having my hair straight would make damged ends more visible and reduce the possibility of over-trimming (or even timid under-trimming). She saw no split ends and was actually surprised to see that my hair was still pretty blunt and even after more than 4 months. So I’ve decided to wait another 4 months to get my hair flat ironed and trimmed (if necessary) in August. Reading people’s comments about how much they’ve had to cut-off and how often in the name of trimming has me a little worried that maybe my friend, who doesn’t have as many natural hair clients who actually wear their hair that way and are intentionally growing it may not have a (well-enough) trained eye for potential natural hair issues, even the split ends. Am I unnecessarily worried since she did straighten my hair first in order to trim it?
After my friend flat ironed my hair, it reverted back to its kinky state without issue unlike my experience the last time I had it flat ironed in May 2010 and experienced breakage for the following 9-10 months as all of the hair that was burnt and damaged fell out. Although I didn’t experience any breakage after this last heat straightening that my friend did, I still wonder if we could have done with less heat or if we even used the best iron for my natural hair. I am considering to go to a stylist who has expertise dealing with natural hair for my next flat iron and potential trim in August. But I am soooo very afraid of scissor happy stylists (which I feel like are most of them). I live in NYC and was wondering if anyone can suggest a stylist that they’ve found success with, particularly if you are all about growing your hair and retaining every millimeter that you can. I’m thinking about trying out Hair Rules but Yelp reviews were kind of all over the place. Not to mention they are not cheap and some of their reviews suggest potential scissor-happiness. LOL. I don’t know…maybe my friend and I are doing just fine. :-/
Please offer any insights/suggestions that you can. Any referrals that anyone feels they can fully endorse would be much appreciated. My sincere apologies for the length of my post, but I felt like the background info is necessary for my concerns to be fully understood.
I saw my first split end not long ago it looked like a Y shape. -__-
I usually has SSKS or weathered ends so that was shocking to see one.
My view is split ends cannot be stopped completly but minimized by
*Moisturising&sealing
*Less Heat,
*Low manipulation
*Avoiding mechanical damage caused by combs,brushses and hair accessories.
My aim is to get a proffesional trim on my 1 year naturalversary in November. 🙂
*usually have
Interesting. One thing I’ve never had to deal with ::knock on wood:: is split ends. Single-strand knots? Got ’em. Even little broken hairs on occasion. Yep. But split ends are, thankfully, not an issue for me.
i honestly dont believe any product can repair split end. once the damage is done thats it. you just have to cut it off. however, recently i started using aussie’s split end protector and i saw impressive results after one use.i use this product to protect my ends in between trims and for me, it really works. my ends feel strong, moisturized, and curl up instantly. its definitely something ill be keep in my regimen.
So I have used the Tresemme rise-out conditioner and I have seen a significant improvement.
The issue that I have is that I have super fine hair (meaning that each strand is very fine, though my overall hair density is medium). Because of that, I had split ends even in protective styles. I wear twists 95% of the time and my twists are always pinned up in an updo, but I still had split ends like crazy (I would bring my hair before my face and in any handful of hair it looked like about half of the hairs were either split, feathering, or had holes in them).
I am ultra careful with my hair, I do not use combs, and I moisturize like its going out of style, yet I still had so many splits. I am currently at armpit length and I want to grow my hair longer. I have been cutting off all the weathered ends religiously ever couple of months, but that wasn’t curing the problem and it was impeding my length goals. Search-and-destroy doesn’t work for me because there are just too many and it results in radically uneven ends. I have been natural for 5 years and since using the tresemme conditioner, for the first time, I am seeing a significant reduction in weathered ends.
I was a little skeptical too, but I find that it works well for my fine hair in that it helps to prevent new splits from developing in the first place or existing ones from spreading further up the strand. I use this conditioner once a week and it seems that if there is a new split forming, it seals it up before it has a chance to run out of control. I still plan on cutting my ends because they are damaged (even if the conditioner helps to prevent that damage from spreading up the strand).
One major draw back of the rinse-out conditioner is that it leaves my hair incredibly dry, so I have to use an extremely creamy leave-in to combat the dryness.
And a plus to the Tresemme is that it is pretty inexpensive for a large bottle. I plan on finishing the bottle that I have, but I will not be repurchasing because of the dryness and the super strong chemical fragrance that it has.
I have some thoughts for you. My hair was the same way, and my hair will always get a split end or two no matter what. The only difference is that strangely enough my hair grows lengthwise like a weed. Maybe you have tried all this but just to help out: 1) Stop wash and go’s forever, stick to braid out and twist out’s. 2) Never sleep on loose hair even pineapples, always braid or bun at night. 3) Invest in sharp, sharp scissors. Mine were $85. Everyone who does s&d has a lot if split ends and the hair still grows if the length is not cut, so be patient and pace yourself to twenty a day to start. Always cut them on dry hair, a half inch above the split, straight across. Cut dull tips and single strand knots as well. 4) Get some Prenatals going, like Thorne Prenatals, and eat a variety of meats, fruits and vegetables (Paleo style). 5) condition every two days or more and shampoo less, but still shampoo with a gentle cleanser because too much moisture can block moisture penetration. 6) Leave on your conditioner and use heavy products on your ends even if your hair is fine. 7) When you say moisturize, what do you mean? If you are adding water, even if sealed, a lot of ppl get knots and frizzy ends from doing this. Just use an oil after your hair has been conditioned. Hydration is not the only thing hair needs, our hair needs nourishment and strength from oils. Oils and butter keep my hair from breaking as much. I oil my ends many many times a day.
Nope.I’ve never used any cuz I know for a fact that they dont work. Hair is dead so if it gets broken or split the only way to repair it is to cut the damage off. Those products trick you. You can put anything creamy on your hair & it will “mend” your split ends because when you put product on hair it bunches together so it seems that the ends are repaired…but in reality their just touched with a product that made your hair stick together. My remedy…CUT IT! and keep it movin…the hair will grow back.
Lol you said it so perfectly. You can put anything liquid on your hair for that matter and reduce the appearance of split ends, lol. You could slap some lard on them, they are still split at the end of the day and that same amount of time could have been better spent cutting them off. If you want to but something for split ends buy some sharp scissors!
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/image-7.jpg[/img]
I’m under the thought that the only split end repair is to cut those bad boys off. I usually do the “search & destroy” method.
And as for trimming, I don’t have a set schedule….I only trim when my hair needs it and I notice a lot of breakage.
I don’t even bother with these kinds of products because I think they are mostly gimmicky. If someone achieves success with them I say great but I’ll save my money for more preventative hair care….like hair accessories that don’t snag lol
I couldn’t agree more. All the time spent buying a product, natural or not, and rubbing it into your ends, you could spend that same time cutting them off. Sure you can’t get all of them but dusting and trimming regularly should reduce them. You can never go wrong with getting better hair accessories while at it. A lot of ppl do not understand that even metal free bands are not good if you use them as a base for a pony, especially if your hair is long, long hair is so super fragile and so many things can damage the ends. By the time your hair is even shoulder length it is already old. Personally I would much rather cut my split ends off and condition my hair with natural products to reduce them. My hair is long so maybe I will never be split end free but a few split ends here and there is normal on long, fine, low porous, wavy to curly hair. The key is to trim and condition, condition, condition. When you trim you need to use very sharp barber shears and cut straight across a half inch above the split on dry hair or you will just damage the strand further.
I tried the Nexuss product while I was waiting to find a salon that I trusted to cut my ends. I didn’t see any significant difference. The product smelled funny but it did make my hair feel soft but I still saw the same amount of split ends..
Hi ladies! Back in March, I posted about this very topic (and Tresemme product) on my blog, The Mane Objective.
Check it out at: http://www.themaneobjective.blogspot.com/2012/03/split-end-reversal-is-it-possible.html
I’ve had the same problem. Since you don’t straighten your hair often it is going to revert back to it’s normal curl pattern. I usually wait about 6 months to trim my hair but I’m beginning to notice that I am going to have to stop that and just trim my hair every 6-8 weeks. The last time I straightened my hair was so irritating and I know it had to do with the fact that I am not trimming my ends as regularly as I should.
Honestly, these “split end repair products” are nothing more than a marketing ploy. In reality, there is not way to “fix” a split ends, the only remedy is to cut them off. No matter how healthy you keep your hair, protective style it, and/or moisturize your ends, I think cutting a half inch every 3-4 months is a good to way to keep split ends from forming in the first place.
I have never tried any of these products and my instinct is to agree with your post.
I also wonder how the product is supposed to work. Does it basically glue your ends back together? If so, what’s to stop it from gluing separate strands together as opposed to split hairs? I’m confused.
https://bglh-marketplace.com/2012/02/new-hair-technology-can-put-broken-strands-back-together/
Ok, thanks, I see how it works now. I’m still skeptical though…
I’m skeptical of this article as well Dolores…I think “putting strands back together” sounds ludicrous, and if anything, it’s just a temporary fix.
There are worse things in life than simply trimming one’s hair! lol
beautybrains did an article on it. check it out http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/02/01/hair-repair-new-technology-really-works/
I use the Nexxus promend overnight treatment and like it a lot . The first time, I put it on damp hair and went to bed, and next morning my hair definitely felt smoother. It was harder to find the split ends to, whereas before split ends were everywhere(I don’t use heat but my hair stays in “out” styles most of the time). I really like it as a daytime leave in as well.
However, I recently tried to do my own ‘ombre’ thing. I applied boxed blonde color to my ends, and waited a week before going over my whole head with henna. In the week between I did the overnight treatment every night, but I think I have to accept that the bleach just did one hell of a butcher job on my ends, or maybe just unraveled the bonds of the treatment. So my verdict is that it does bind split ends back together, but you have to continue to be gentle- the treatment does not make your ends invincible, it just makes them look and feel better.