Split ends-desperate call!

y-curl · 02-20-2006, 11:37 AM

Hello ladies,
It really has been awhile since I last posted anything on NC but I lurk quite often. Thank You all for your valuable inputs.

The question I have is regarding split-ends, I am a 3b/c and as much as I want my hair to grow it has been the same length for the past 3 years. I noticed that I have many split ends. My last haircut was a Devachan by carlos in the summer of 2004. I use Elucence conditioner and FOTE. I only brush in the shower and leave my hair to airdry before I put it in a ponytail or a bun.

What am I doing wrong, I really do not want to cut my hair, I have been trimming the ends (or rather individual strands) with small scissors. I remember reading that is what some of you do.

Any suggestions?? is it the combination, the fact that I do not wash my hair daily but rather every two days? Help! are split ends part of having curly hair??

st. louis blue · 02-20-2006, 02:49 PM

Are you sure you're trimming them all off in your micro-trims? Because if not, then they're probably traveling up the shaft.

That said, I think a year and a half is a long time with no real trim, even on CG. I could easily be wrong. But summer 2004 was a long time ago, from the perspective of your ends. You could be doing nothing wrong, everything right, and have some bad ends after a year and a half.

Ashkins1118 · 02-21-2006, 09:38 AM

i have been having the same problem with split ends. they are very rough and just feel awful. im trying to grow it out but i guess i will have to get a trim during spring break. i dont know what to do to prevent them. i am also interested in any advice anyone can give.

y-curl · 02-21-2006, 10:03 AM

Thank you St.Louis Blue. You might be right, however I have read from a few ladies that frequent NC and have long 3C hair, that they only trimmed the end for a few years to allow their hair to grow. Hopefully some of those ladies will post and give us all some needed advice. I am not sure if I should get a professional haircut. They usually cut so much, even when you tell them is just a trimm.

eccentric_kurlz · 02-21-2006, 10:20 AM

Y-curl, what kind of brush are you using? I've read that a few curlies here experience major split-ends when they used certain brushes in the shower. I know that certain Denman brushes cause damage to those with fine or fragile hair.

Also, do you wear your hair out alot? And if your do, when you go to sleep, what do you sleep on? Many curlies here(including myself) use a satin pillowcase. This helps in preventing damage to the hair(cotton pillowcases are rough on the hair).

Do you use Elucence as your rinse out conditioner only, or do you use it as a leave also. If only as a rinse out, maybe you should leave some of it in, and maybe use a more moisturizing product other than FOTE(or used over/under the gel). I've used this gel and when used alone, over a leave in, my hair became alittle dry. The drier the hair is, the more susceptible it is to damage.

spiderlashes5000 · 02-21-2006, 10:23 AM

So you're not using sulfate shampoos?

subbrock · 02-21-2006, 07:21 PM

i wearing my hair in a bun on a regular basis wreaks havoc on my ends....

y-curl · 02-23-2006, 08:55 AM

Thank you Shyygirl, Spiderlashes, and Subbrock for your reply.

To answer some of your questions. I have been using both the Denman 4 brush, and a brush I bought many years ago from Avon (they don't make it any more) that brush is made of thick plastic, almost like a large comb. I don't have fine hair, my hair is quite thick, fragile? maybe now with the split-ends but it was not like this before.

I use the devacurl 'no poo' and sometimes the Aveda Moss shampoo. Most weeks I go with conditioner and an ACV wash.
I wear my hair out everytime I wash it and put it in a pony tail or a bun on the second or third day. I rarely wash my hair during the evenings, I am more of a 'wash in the morning, air dry' kind of a girl.
I bought several months ago a microfiber towel at walmart and I use it to dry my hair or put it up for a few minutes as I get dressed.

At curlmart I bought a silk/satin pillowcase but after several washes it turned into shreds. I bought (just yesterday) some Yds of black satin to make myself another one. So maybe the pillowcases maybe the problem. Although I think it may be something more serious.

I know Lorraine (Devacurl) is coming to Austin, I wish she would cut my hair ( she picking a few people from the audience to cut their hair) but for $95 and possibly not get picked, I should find a salon on my own and have them professionally cut my ends .....but I am so scared of starting all over.
You ladies know how much money we spend on products, and taking care of our hair, to have someone give you a bad haircut.

I would send pictures but I need to open a Fotki album...I will do that soon!
Thanks again for responding to my rambling.

Colocha · 03-07-2006, 12:18 PM

I get split ends too. Don´t know why.

Is wearing the hair up all the time the cause for having split ends?

MoMoDani7 · 03-07-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y-curl

Hello ladies,
It really has been awhile since I last posted anything on NC but I lurk quite often. Thank You all for your valuable inputs.

The question I have is regarding split-ends, I am a 3b/c and as much as I want my hair to grow it has been the same length for the past 3 years. I noticed that I have many split ends. My last haircut was a Devachan by carlos in the summer of 2004. I use Elucence conditioner and FOTE. I only brush in the shower and leave my hair to airdry before I put it in a ponytail or a bun.

What am I doing wrong, I really do not want to cut my hair, I have been trimming the ends (or rather individual strands) with small scissors. I remember reading that is what some of you do.

Any suggestions?? is it the combination, the fact that I do not wash my hair daily but rather every two days? Help! are split ends part of having curly hair??

You can try VO5 Split Ends conditioner. It's very watered down so maybe you can use it as a shampoo/cond wash.

MoMoDani7 · 03-07-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y-curl

Hello ladies,
It really has been awhile since I last posted anything on NC but I lurk quite often. Thank You all for your valuable inputs.

The question I have is regarding split-ends, I am a 3b/c and as much as I want my hair to grow it has been the same length for the past 3 years. I noticed that I have many split ends. My last haircut was a Devachan by carlos in the summer of 2004. I use Elucence conditioner and FOTE. I only brush in the shower and leave my hair to airdry before I put it in a ponytail or a bun.

What am I doing wrong, I really do not want to cut my hair, I have been trimming the ends (or rather individual strands) with small scissors. I remember reading that is what some of you do.

Any suggestions?? is it the combination, the fact that I do not wash my hair daily but rather every two days? Help! are split ends part of having curly hair??

You can try VO5 Split Ends conditioner. It's very watered down so maybe you can use it as a shampoo/cond wash. Or maybe you can use the VO5 Split Ends shampoo to go with it in addition to the conditioner or something.

Natakue · 03-08-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbrock

i wearing my hair in a bun on a regular basis wreaks havoc on my ends....

subbrock

really? i thought buns were protective styles that protect your ends? which hairstyle works out best for your ends, then?

eccentric_kurlz · 03-09-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natakue

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbrock

i wearing my hair in a bun on a regular basis wreaks havoc on my ends....

subbrock

really? i thought buns were protective styles that protect your ends? which hairstyle works out best for your ends, then?

It's said to be a protective style, but I don't know how it really can be when you're using elastics to pull/hold your hair back, and when you tuck the ends under, the elastics(covered or not) rub up against the hair causing them to fray and split.

I guess the only true protective styles involve different types of natural braids, and that's it. IDK.

subbrock · 03-09-2006, 07:08 PM

when i wear it out or in a headband is the most friendly on my ends, since my hair doest rub againt my clothes yet.

=~ohura~= · 03-10-2006, 07:29 PM

I think it is important and healthy to trim regularly.

Colocha · 03-10-2006, 09:39 PM

I trim them regularly, I don´t use a blow dryer, use a satin pillowcase, comb my hair with a pick while conditioning, wash it every 2-3 days and still...I get split ends.

n_y_chic · 03-15-2006, 01:11 PM

I swear to you wearing buns tore my ends up! In 2003, I went to the hairdresser with the crown portion of my hair much shorter than the rest and horrible split ends. My hairdresser's diagnosis: extrememly dry hair combined with buns, barrettes, etc. = breakage and split ends. He told me to, "moisturize, moisturize, moisture" and stay away from buns, elastics, etc. He was SO right.

Now, my hair is longer than I thought possible. I get occasional split ends (and trim them [and "end-of-the-line" knots] myself when they pop up. Not every one is the same, but for me, I found that staying away from buns was a HUGE step towards improving my hair.

Colocha · 03-15-2006, 04:24 PM

I´m finding that the scrunchies i use are made out of cotton! I can´t wear my hair loose because of the heat...

Amneris · 03-15-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y-curl

Thank you St.Louis Blue. You might be right, however I have read from a few ladies that frequent NC and have long 3C hair, that they only trimmed the end for a few years to allow their hair to grow. Hopefully some of those ladies will post and give us all some needed advice. I am not sure if I should get a professional haircut. They usually cut so much, even when you tell them is just a trimm.

Yep... that's why I've been doing what I'm doing. I went a year without a haircut and just trimmed my own ends monthly. Last week I went for a very small trim with a woman I trust. She pressed my hair straight and let me watch her just take off the most scraggly tips. You could barely see anything on the floor, but it made a huge difference to my hair.

Salons will claim you need a trim every 6-8 weeks because it's money for them. They almost always cut too much.

OldSoul · 03-16-2006, 10:00 AM

I experience dryness (and roughness) especially on my ends. At times, it is so dry, I would conclude that I need a trim. I was advised on this board to deep condition, then assess my ends. I would suggest that, then see how much trimming is needed.