If you look at your hair through a microscope, each strand is made up of 3 layers - Cuticle (outside), Cortex (middle), and the Medula (inside). Now imagine a rope. Once a rope starts to unravel it is hard to stop it.
Let's compare a rope to a strand of hair. When a rope is new, all of it's fibers are strong and tight. Just like hair that is in good condition, strands are strong and undamaged. Once the rope has had many years of use it starts to unravel, thus becoming weaker. The same it true for hair. When you add heat, sun exposure, and chemicals it also begins to weaken and unravel.
Have you ever looked at your own hair and seen the split ends? Or, have you taken the two ends and split them all the way up to the hair shaft? Hair will also unravel, which is the cause of split ends. Those damaged ends will continue to move up the hair shaft until you cut them.
There are 4 things you can do to prevent split ends:
Have your hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks. Doing so will prevent split ends and help your hair grow faster.
Use a leave-in conditioner. The Supershine Moisturizer or Styling Butter from Oribe Hair Care are great options. A leave-in conditioner will protect your hair from thermal heat and contains UV protection from the outside environment.
Use a sealer. The Split End Sealer from Oribe Hair Care temporarily glues your ends together until you are able to have it cut.
Get a Brazilian Split End Treatment. This service puts Keratin Protein back into the hair cuticle and seals your split ends together. This technique will give you longer lasting results.
Good hair care will ensure that your hair will remain in great condition, and will minimize split ends!