"Start With The End In Mind" - How To Maintain Healthy Ends!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

In the beginning of my hair journey, I constantly sought after thick, even, healthy ends. Who wouldn't? But no matter how long my hair grew, the ends always seemed to get thinner and uneven, which led me to do a Big Chop (4"inches off) on my ends back in 2008. After that, I vowed to never cut off my ends like that again, but to find a way to maintain healthy ends. One year into my hair journey, I figured out a great combination of tricks and they've never failed me! Here are a couple tips on how I achieve and maintain healthy ends.

1) Hydrate - Moisturize and seal daily! I can not stress how important it is to develop a healthy habit of moisturizing your hair (with a water based moisturizer) from the ends to the roots on a daily basis. I highly suggest you start by applying the product to the ends first, and then apply it to the rest of the length. Working in sections will ensure proper coverage. Moisturizing and sealing (with a natural oil) in sections (6 in total, 3 on the left, 3 on the right) transformed my hair. Every inch was getting attention and my hair responded accordingly. Tip: Try baggying your ends at night with a plastic shower cap to trap in moisture.

2) Condition - Deep condition with heat (30-45mins) at least once a week to nourish and protect the hair. Deep conditioning with heat is important as the heat opens up the cuticles to allow the nutrients from the conditioner to penetrate into the hair shaft. It's vital in repairing damaged hair and preventing further breakage. Deep conditioning provides the hair with elasticity, strength and moisture which helps in retaining length over time. I highly suggest applying your deep conditioner in sections as well (6 in total, 3 on the left, 3 on the right). Start applying the deep conditioner to your ends first, then work your way up. Your ends will thank you!

3) Trim - Trim thinness frequently. I noticed that small frequent trims (1/2 an inch), with every relaxer or every other month, help to reduce the appearance of thin ends and maintains a full hem line when the hair is down. Trimming thin ends adds thickness and prevents split ends from appearing. Stay on top of your trims!

4) Protect - Protect your ends from the elements (clothes, harsh weather, pollution etc). Wearing protective styles aid in preserving the health of your ends. Frequent exposure (without proper care) leaves you prone to withering damaged ends. Harsh fabrics and poor weather can snag, snap and tear your ends, not to mention, when your ends are exposed, moisture can easily escape thus increasing the possibility of breakage, split ends etc. Wear a bun, full wig, up-do, french braid, half wig, braids etc. 90% of the time and 10% of the time you can give your hair a break and wear it down (i.e. special occasions). Frequent protection means healthier ends and less trims.

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25 comments

  1. Great tips!!

    Randomjamaican.blogspot.com

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  2. GREAT POST! I just got rid of the very last of my "thin" ends after trimming all of my length retention off with each relaxer for the past year and a half, keeping me at the same length. Now that I have thick, healthy ends - I am determined to keep it this way!

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    1. Aww Thanks Ebony! Yes get rid of them and just maintain it from here on out. Your hair looks great by the way! Keep it up.

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  3. Great tips Sunshyne. I often forget to moisturize and seal my ends daily. Thanks for posting this reminder

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    1. Thanks hun. It's a vital step! I'm glad to hear this post reminded you :)

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  4. Thank you!...Maintaining healthy ends, is my #1 setback :-(

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    1. No problem! I totally understand. It was mine too. Hope this helped.

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  5. Hi Sunshine, thanks for the new post. Have you ever tried the L.O.C. method? If yes/no, what do you think about it?

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    1. Thank you for reading! No I haven't tried the LOC method as yet so I can't comment on it. Soon :)

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  6. Hi Sunshyne,

    I dont have a steamer/hairdryer currently, so i normally deep condition with no heat but for 45mins - 1 hour. Is deep conditioning without heat pointless? Or should i deep condition overnight?

    Am new at this and totally clueless!

    Thanks

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    1. If you do't have a steamer, I highly suggest you purchase even a heating cap from Sally Beauty Supply Store (http://www.sallybeauty.com/heat-cap/SBS-255503,default,pd.html). Trust me your hair and scalp with be very happy. It does wonders for your hair and it's much more effective.

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  7. Do you self trim? If so could you please describe your method? Thanks.

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    1. No I don't. My stylist does, however, that is the only thing I go to my stylist for.

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  8. because i forget to moisturize and seal, i tell myself "you cant eat a piece of chocolate until you do", so far it's been working.

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  9. Definitely going to try the tips of applying product to the ends first. I'm probably leaving my ends out when I moisturize and seal!

    Krystal K.
    The Feisty House
    www.thefeistyhouse.com

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  10. I have a question about moisturizing part of it, is there a certain moisturizer that's better than others? I definitely am going to start paying more attention to my ends now. Im also debating whether i should just get rid of the rest of my thin ends and just take it from there. Thanks :-)

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    1. It's hard to say because everyone's hair is different. I could always recommend something, however, it all depends on how your hair reacts to it. I think you should remove all thin ends and start from scratch that way you'll know if a certain product is working for you or not. Hope that helps.

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  11. what do you moisturize and seal with?

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    1. I moisturize with Scurl No Drip Activator and I seal with JBCO Serum or Wild Growth Oil.

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  12. Thnx for the tips
    I got more than my spilt ends cut ( my hair was up to my waist and now there different armpit and shoulder length ) I was wondering if it would grow back and when. My hair is curly and black thnx again

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  13. Long time reader and lurker ... first comment (I believe!) Thanks so much for sharing your hair journey with us! When I first started my HHJ January 2012, I relied on your information to help lead the way!!

    These tips are spot on! I moisturize in quadrants, but I am now going to incorporate the 3x3 method you recommend. The back right quadrant of my hair is in way worse shape than the other healthy 3 quadrants, so I think I need to pay more attention to that area.

    Thanks again for all you do!

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  14. Great tips! I have problems with my long hair because they become so brittle.

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