5 Secrets vohen you've been clinging to your last haircut for a bit too long, your hair shows it. Your ends, which are oldest, start to tangle sily,look drier than the rest of your hair and negin to have a crunchy feel. This damage can give your hair a frizzy appearance, especially in humid ‘weather. “Various physical and chemical factors used in excess, especially those involving heat, can cause progressive damage to the outer layer nat normally protects our hair, which causes the underlying fibers to separate,” says Joyce Davis, M.D, a dermatologist in New York City. The reality is, there's no way to fully repsir hair once its been split or broken; the only way to truly get rid of split ends is to cut them off. But knowing the difference between physical and chemical damage can help you figure out the best strategy to prevent further splitting. Physical damage includes harm to the hair from too much brushing or combing; using het tools like hairdryers, curling irons or straighteners frequently; non-fabric hair elastics; and tight hairstyles like braids. Chemical damage is caused by coloring hair, especially lightening, or using heat in relaxing, perming and smoothing treatments like keratin. Try these fixes that can help disguise frayed hair and stop split ends before they start: ce eo ‘wet. “Water swells and stretches: comb or a Wet Brush (wetbrush that state can cause it to break” strands when styling Try brushing hairbefore you get _or brushing,” Wizemann says it wet to prevent damage, she ‘Teminimize tangles and tearing advises. you have to comb your when combing, start from the hair post-shower, gently toweldry ends and work your way up the ‘tnt ie not dripping, then hair in small sections. Steer clear apply aleave.in conditioner all __of hair elastics or accessories ‘over strands before attempting to made with metal, which can tug and break hair Instead, look for those made of or wrapped in fabric. Avoid tight braids or ponytals when possible to Turn down the heat. ‘The heat from hot tools is cone of the major sources of hair damage and spliting, 80 take the right precautions. “Fully dey hair before using a styling iron, as any water trapped within strands can heat up and expand, leading to additonal damage” says GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, PhD. “And apply @ heat: or thermal-pratection styling product all ever hair prior to hot tool use. Ths will coat strands with ingredients like polymers that can stand up to high tempers tures, erating shield thet con tions, which reduces damage.” Further mitigate it by puting hot tools on the lowest possible heat settings. For maximum split end prevention, ty airdrying hair as, much as possible eee right) Dye strategically. The chemicals in Iaircolor and bleach can cause severe damage if the recto eit op pled catrecly ile wesecke ss bet red tojust the root of hair when doing a touch-up so thatthe ends aren't expos is JULY/AUGUST 2022 GH 17 HAIR SPECIAL / BEAUTY LAB HEAT-FREE HAIRSTYLING These new styles are made to enhance hair's natural shape asi airdries so it looks polished without hot tools (and damage). FOR STRAIGHT HAIR Boost hai’ bend and body with this light lotion: Startby apply- ing a small amount and add more as needed depending on hair thickness and length. BLOWIT PINE HAR STYLER $31 FOR WAVY HAIR This styling foam brings out and smooths your wave pattern, leaving hair sft without weight. ainbav WAVESSTYUNG FOAM, FOR CURLY HAIR Work the coconut oil-based cream through curls, twisting strands around fingers. fOGxLocKiNG- cocoNUT cuRLs SIRDRY CREAM, Sp WALGREENS FOR COILY HAIR This rich eream with nourishing plant butters and ols was ere sted to soften and shape coil SiarTaRGeT