White Dead Ends on Hair

Hair with dead ends
Photo: ArkHawt/Shutterstock
Q: I have dead ends in my hair (white bits at the end) but I've noticed I get breakage points at the end of long strands of hair. These breakage points are literally white parts about 1cm from the end so that if I pull them, the 1cm comes off.
 
Is this normal, and what can I do to remedy this? I do straighten my hair often, which may be the cause - shall I use a protection iron spray?
 
A: It sounds as though you have styling damage and that the ends of the hair have become fried. Unfortunately, at the level of damage you describe, the only solution, really, is to trim off the damaged ends and begin protecting the rest of your hair.
 
If you use any heat styling methods you need to be using protective products. In addition, you need to make sure you condition your hair properly. This means conditioning the hair everyday using either a rinse-through conditioner in the bath or shower, or a leave-in conditioner.
 
Depending on the amount of soil or product build-up you experience in the course of the day, you may not always need to shampoo the hair daily. Wash the hair when it is needed only, but condition the hair daily.
 
You may also want to review your techniques for heat styling appliances. We have some helpful articles available here; to give you the basics for making sure that you know how to safely use your heat styling appliances.
 
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See also:
 
How badly will straightening damage my hair?
 
What is the best thermal protectant spray I can use when I straighten my hair?
 
What do split ends look like?
 
Hair conditioners and conditioning treatments