How to Trim Split Ends on Your Own

You don't always need to visit a salon to trim split ends. Handling and caring for your split ends at home can enhance the appearance of your hair between salon visits, saving you money and helping your hair grow longer.

Buy a pair of hair cutting scissors. Regular scissors tend to damage hair and accentuate split ends. You can purchase hair cutting scissors online or at stores that specialize in hair products.

Cut perpendicular to the hair strands. This way, the hair tips will be healthier and stronger compared to cutting at an angle.

Trim about 0.5cm away from the split ends to ensure healthy tips. However, some strands may have split ends longer than 0.5cm, so you may need to trim more.

Take a small section of hair and twist it. The split ends will emerge from the twist, making them easier to spot and trim.

• If you have light hair, it’s best to cut on a dark background to create contrast and make the hair easier to see. For dark hair, use a light background for better contrast and visibility.

Use your fingers to gently slide through the hair to reveal split ends. Place your index finger on the top of the hair section, followed by the middle finger underneath, and the ring finger next. Slide these three fingers down the hair section. As you glide your fingers along, the split ends will become visible, allowing you to trim them. This process may strain your eyes a bit as you go along.

Now, twist the hair in the opposite direction. This will allow you to spot any split ends that you may have missed when twisting the hair in just one direction.

Take a new section of hair and repeat the process. During the first few attempts, trimming each split end will take more time. However, after a while, depending on the amount of split ends and the hair thickness, the process will take between 10 to 60 minutes.

Ask friends or family to help you trim your hair. This can be more effective if they have experience in hair cutting. If you're cautious, you can also trim your own hair.

Wash your hair and apply conditioner. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair after applying conditioner. This will help you section your hair more easily.

Take a section of hair and pull it forward, holding the end of the section tightly between your fingers. Position your fingers above the part of the hair you want to trim, and use scissors to cut.

Make sure to comb your hair carefully without tangling the ends. It's important to separate the cut hair from the uncut sections, and make sure you take equal amounts of hair to cut each time.

Effectively and consistently hydrate your hair. After washing your hair, don't forget to apply conditioner. Hair can split and fall out for various reasons, but it's usually because it lacks proper hydration.

• Use a conditioner suitable for your hair type. For dry hair, choose a conditioner with natural oils (like shea butter, coconut oil, etc.) and apply it mainly to the ends rather than the roots. For oily or thin hair, use a gentle conditioner and apply a small amount to the top of your head.
• Moisturize your hair after every wash. Hair is made of protein and needs nutrients just like any other part of your body. If you wash your hair every other day, be sure to use conditioner after each wash.

Retain moisture from water and conditioner. Once you've hydrated your hair, don't waste it! Use products like shea butter, olive oil, or coconut oil to lock in moisture after the hydration step.

Protect your hair ends when styling. Tie your hair up in a bun and use clips to prevent it from becoming dry or damaged. After showering, some people prefer to wear their hair in a high bun and let it air dry overnight while they sleep.

Use a deep conditioning treatment for your hair. Nourish your hair with a deep treatment at least once a week. This method will add extra moisture and protect your hair. As a result, if you skip washing and conditioning for 2-3 days, your hair will still maintain its moisture.

Avoid heat styling that can damage your hair. Those with strong and healthy hair tend to have one thing in common: they avoid styling their hair unnecessarily.

• Be mindful of heat damage. Heat damage often occurs when you straighten your hair, causing split ends. Use a blow dryer on low heat when drying your hair. If possible, let your hair dry naturally after washing by following these steps: gently blot the hair with a towel, spray a small amount of anti-frizz product, use a wide-toothed comb, and air-dry your hair.
• Don't comb wet hair. Wet hair is more prone to breakage, so be careful. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle wet hair and reduce split ends and other damage.

Take a section of hair about 5cm (ensure the hair is dry), starting from the back of the head. Separate the section you've just taken from the rest of the hair.

Pull the ends of the hair forward, trimming the hair no more than 0.5cm from the ends.

Angle the scissors downward and cut the hair underneath your fingers.

• It's recommended to use professional hair-cutting scissors as regular scissors can damage your hair. Note that scissors designed for cutting hair are very sharp and built to prevent the hair from slipping out, so if it accidentally touches the skin, it could cause a deep wound. Handle with caution!
• Products claiming to "treat" split ends are usually ineffective. They only temporarily close the tips of the hair. However, these products can help prevent tangling.
• Choose a well-lit room so you can clearly see the part of your hair you're cutting.
• Trim your hair every 2 months to promote healthy growth!
• Visit a professional salon if you want your hair to be treated properly.
• What if you have curly hair? Just cut it while it’s wet, rather than waiting for it to dry, so you can comb it from root to tip before cutting. Be sure to only cut a small amount because the hair will shrink as it dries.

• However, when you visit a hair salon and request a trim of about 2.5cm to remove all split ends, you’ll often end up with more cut off. This is partly because the stylist assumes they know better than you, and your request wasn’t clear enough.
• If you’re a child, it’s a good idea to have an adult help you cut your hair. This way, the results will be better as the second person can observe and ensure your hair isn’t cut unevenly or too short.