Split ends are a common hair concern for many people. They occur when the protective outermost layer of the hair shaft becomes damaged, causing the ends to split and fray. This damage can be caused by a variety of factors like over-brushing, heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental damage. Many people wonder if this damage at the ends can travel up the hair shaft to the roots, potentially causing more widespread hair damage. In this article, we will explore what exactly causes split ends, how they progress, and whether the damage can reach the roots.
What Causes Split Ends?
Split ends are caused by damage to the outermost protective layer of the hair known as the cuticle. The cuticle is composed of shingle-like overlapping scales that protect the inner structures of the hair. Here are some of the most common causes of split ends:
Frequent Brushing and Combing
Excessive brushing or combing can tug on the hair and scrape the cuticle scales. This causes them to loosen and shed, exposing the inner cortext of the hair. Over time this leads to splitting and fraying of the ends.
Heat Styling
Frequently using heated styling tools like blowdryers, flat irons, and curling irons can boil off moisture, weaken hair protein bonds, and damage the cuticle layer. This dryness and damage can cause the ends to become brittle and split.
Chemical Treatments
Chemical services like hair color, bleach, perms, and relaxers can deplete moisture and protein from the hair over time. This leads to cuticle damage and eventual split ends. The overlapping processes of these treatments increase the likelihood of splits.
Sun Exposure
The sun’s UV rays break down hair protein bonds and create free radical damage. This degradation can wear down the cuticle layer, leading to dry, frizzy ends that split easily.
Environmental Factors
Pollution, hard water minerals, chlorine, and salt can deposit on the hair and fray the cuticle over time. This causes dehydration, roughness, and split ends.
How Do Split Ends Progress?
Once split ends form, the damage cannot be repaired because the hair is already dead tissue. The splits simply continue to travel up the length of the hair over time. Here’s a look at how they progress:
New Splits Form
With continued damage to the ends, new splits and forks will continue forming in the existing split ends. This exacerbates the frizziness and damage.
Splits Grow Upwards
As the hair grows out from the scalp, the split areas move up the hair shaft, leading to more noticeable fraying and thinning of the ends. The splits can extend up to 6 inches or more from the ends.
More Hair Breakage
The weakened areas at the splits are prone to breakage. Strands may break off at the split ends or above them, increasing hair shedding. This can thin out the lower lengths of the hair.
Increased Tangles and Knots
The rough, split ends tend to knot and tangle more easily. Trying to detangle these areas causes more hair breakage, perpetuating damage.
Hair Feels Dry and Rough
As damage progresses up the hair lengths, the overall texture of the hair may feel coarse, dry, and straw-like. The cuticle damage leads to moisture loss and protein depletion.
Can Split Ends Travel to the Roots?
While split ends progressively damage more of the hair length over time, the damage cannot actually spread all the way to the roots. Here’s why:
Splits Only Move Up Already Damaged Hair
The splits can only advance upwards on parts of the hair that have already broken off or contain existing split ends. The damage does not leapfrog up into undamaged, healthy hair closer to the root.
Roots Are Nourished by Scalp Oils
The roots attached to the scalp have a constant nutrient supply from scalp oils. This nourishment protects the roots and prevents splits or damage. The ends lack this nourishment so they are more vulnerable.
New Hair Growth Protects Roots
As hair is growing from the follicles at the scalp, the newest hair growth protects the roots. The newest 1-2 inches close to the scalp are healthy and undamaged.
Hair Structure Changes Closer to Roots
The structure and texture of the hair cuticle changes moving up the hair shaft. The cuticle layers are thicker and tighter near the roots, offering more protection. The ends are more porous and prone to splitting.
Preventing and Treating Split Ends
While split ends cannot reach the roots, it’s still important to prevent and treat them to keep hair healthy and minimize breakage. Here are some tips:
Regular Trims
Getting a trim every 6-8 weeks can snip off split ends before they extend further up the hair. This prevents excess damage and thinning. Avoid blunt cuts which can worsen splits.
Gentle Handling
Use wide tooth combs and gently detangle hair when wet to prevent tugging, friction, and cuticle damage. Avoid excessive brushing and heat styling. Use lower temperatures.
Protective Styling
Keep hair braided, tucked away, or covered to minimize environmental exposure and rub-off friction that can wear down cuticles.
Deep Conditioning
Use weekly nourishing hair masks and oils to replenish moisture, protein, and nutrients into the lengths and ends. This strengthens hair against split ends.
Avoid Chemical Overprocessing
Allow enough time between chemical treatments or color touch-ups to prevent excessive cuticle damage. Use nourishing filler and bond-building treatments.
Conclusion
While split ends cannot actually travel all the way up the hair shaft to reach the roots, they do tend to progressively damage more of the hair length over time if left untreated. The frayed, weakened ends make the hair more prone to knots, tangling, and breakage. Practicing healthy hair care habits, getting regular trims, minimizing damage, and deep conditioning can help keep split ends in check before they are able to damage substantial lengths of the hair fiber. Being proactive with protective, nourishing hair care is the key to preventing splits from getting out of hand.
References
Why Split Ends Don’t Really Split Right Up to the Root
A common misconception about split ends is that they can split all the way up to the roots, damaging the entire hair length. This article explains how the structure of hair prevents splits from extending to the roots. Key points:
– Splits only spread upwards on already damaged parts of hair, not healthy areas.
– Roots are nourished by scalp oils, protecting them from splits.
– New undamaged hair growth emerging from follicles acts as barrier.
– Hair cuticle structure is tighter and less porous near roots.
Source: https://www.BYRDIE.com/split-ends-travel-to-roots
An Expert Guide to Split Ends and Breakage
This comprehensive guide covers what causes split ends, how they progress up the hair over time, and how to treat them. It confirms split ends cannot reach the roots due to protected hair structure near scalp and new healthy hair growth.
Source: https://www.ALLURE.com/split-ends-breakage-guide
Can Split Ends Move Up into New Growth?
This haircare Q&A explains why split ends are unable to migrate upwards into new, undamaged hair growth emerging from the scalp. The newest 1-2 inches of hair are protected.
Source: https://www.MATRIX.com/blog/can-split-ends-move-into-new-growth