Split Ends in Men’s Hair: How to Cut Them Off and Prevent New Ones

Split ends are an often overlooked aspect of men's hair. But your ends are the oldest part of your hair, and they need regular maintenance to stay looking their best. Otherwise, they can make your 'do feel dry, frizzy, and unkempt.

Below, we'll explore what split ends are, what causes them, and how you can get rid of them without buzzing everything off.

What Are Split Ends?

A split end is a hair strand that frays at the tip and splits into two or more pieces. This happens when your hair's protective outer layer (cuticle) wears away from heat, chemicals, or friction. The inner core gets exposed and unravels like the end of a rope. Left alone, a split end can travel further up the strand every time you comb it. And the further the split goes, the more hair you'll need to cut off to get rid of it.

Do Men Get Split Ends?

Yes, men can get split ends on both their head and facial hair. Split ends tend to be more noticeable on longer hair that gets cut less frequently because it's older and more susceptible to damage. With short men's hairstyles, like a fade or buzz cut, your barber usually trims off any split ends every few weeks before they can spread. To check for split ends, look for forked (Y-shaped) strands, feathered tips, or ends that feel rough or look dull.

What Causes Split Ends in Hair?

Most of what causes split ends in hair comes down to every day habits and a few environmental factors:

• Heat styling: Daily use of a blow dryer can lift the cuticle and weaken the strand, so the tip frays faster. Straighteners and curling irons pile on the excessive heat dermatologists warn about.
• Bleaching, dyeing, and perming: Chemical treatments wear down the cuticle over time, exposing the inner core.
• Skipping conditioner: Conditioner cuts down on friction between strands. Skip it, and every comb, towel, and pillowcase can make your hair feel frizzy.
• Brushing hard or brushing wet hair: Friction hits wet hair hardest, making it more prone to breakage with brushing or combing. And ripping through a knot can split a strand lengthwise.
• Friction from towels or hair accessories: Accessories like hair ties and beanies wear on the hair shaft, as does rough towel drying.
• Sun and chlorine: Chlorine breaks down keratin and weakens the cuticle, and UV exposure can leave hair rough and brittle.
• How your barber cuts: A razor cut at an angle can leave more of the inner core exposed at the tip, so the end starts out closer to splitting.

How To Get Rid of Split Ends

Unfortunately, nothing can repair split ends, so the only reliable way to get rid of them is to cut them off. Here are some different ways to do that.

Get a Regular Trim From a Barber

Most barbers work on roughly this schedule:

• Fades and buzz cuts: Every two to three weeks
• Medium styles like quiffs and textured crops: Every three to four weeks
• Long hair and man buns: Every six to eight weeks

Ends looking uneven or feeling rough early? Move it up.

Ask for Dusting To Keep Your Length

Your barber snips off only the damaged hair at the tips and leaves your shape and length untouched. Keeping this up frequently (every six to 10 weeks) can help prevent splits from traveling up the strand.

Cut Split Ends at Home

Between barber visits, here's how to cut split ends yourself on longer hair:

• Start with clean, dry hair in good light so splits are easy to spot.
• Twist a small section tight. The split ends will stick out along the twist.
• Snip each one just above the split using sharp haircutting shears.
• Work section by section, and take off as little as possible.

Hot Scissors, Candle Cutting, and Split-End Gadgets

You'll find a few trendier fixes online:

• Hot scissors: Salons offer services with blades heated to between 230°F and 338°F, claiming that they melt the hair's natural keratin to close off the tips as they cut. However, the melting point of hair ranges from 442°F to 464°F, much hotter than these tools get. So, the heat doesn't really add anything to your haircut.
• Candle cutting: A stylist twists your hair so the split ends stick out, then runs a burning candle down the twist to burn off the frayed ends. A candle flame can reach a maximum temperature of 2550°F. And at temperatures above 392°F, thermal damage can weaken hair, making it more susceptible to breakage from combing. Plus, it poses the risk of setting your hair on fire or suffering from scalp burns.
• Split-end trimmer gadgets: These devices snip frayed tips as you glide them through your hair. But they can take off more or less than you intended, leaving you with a funky haircut.

How To Manage Split Ends Until Your Next Trim

Can't get to the barber this week? These tricks make split ends less noticeable, but only temporarily:

• Smooth the ends with a leave-in conditioner: Conditioners are formulated to decrease friction and minimize frizz, and a leave-in keeps working all day. Work a little through damp ends.
• Add a few drops of oil: Coconut oil adds slip between strands and flattens the cuticle surface so frayed tips look smoother and less frizzy. Argan oil works, too. Rub a few drops into damp or dry hair and comb through. Growing a longer beard? Use beard oils to keep it soft between trims.
• Try a hair mask once a week: Hair masks add moisture and may help conceal split ends temporarily, acting as a cover-up.
• Keep your hands off: Picking at frayed tips can be weirdly satisfying, but peeling a split apart pulls on the strand, and that kind of stress can drive the split further up.

How To Prevent Split Ends

Since there's no undoing split ends, knowing how to prevent them is the whole ballgame. Here are our best tips.

Wash Less Often

Fewer washes mean fewer rounds of water, lather, and towel drying. Dermatologists suggest washing based on how dirty or oily your hair gets. So, unless your scalp gets oily fast, you can skip washing your hair everyday. When you do lather up, try Dr. Squatch's shampoo for a gentle clean.

Condition Every Time You Shampoo

Conditioner's positively charged ingredients cling to the most weathered parts of your hair, usually the ends, which is exactly where splits start. That's why the AAD recommends conditioner after every shampoo.

Work it through your mid-lengths and ends, and keep it off your scalp. If you're switching to natural hair products, consider using Dr. Squatch Conditioner. It leaves hair feeling soft, smooth, and easy to manage.

Turn Down the Heat on Styling Tools

Dermatologists recommend low or medium heat settings and a heat protectant for any blow dryer or straightener. Technique matters too: In one study, holding the dryer about 6 inches away and keeping it moving caused less damage than letting hair air-dry.

Swap Your Bath Towel for Microfiber

Skip the scrubbing and wrap your hair in a microfiber towel or T-shirt to gently absorb the water. Squeezing and pressing spares your wet ends the friction that rubbing puts them through.

Brush Gently, and Go Easy on Wet Hair

If you have straight hair, let it dry a bit before combing it with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends to detangle knots gradually. With curly hair, the best time to comb is in the shower, before you rinse out your conditioner.

Cut Down on Friction While You Sleep

Your pillowcase gets eight hours a night with your hair. Tie long hair loosely before bed so it isn't dragging across the pillow. And consider swapping a rougher cotton for silk or satin to prevent snags.

Rethink Your Hair Ties and Clips

A tight elastic rubs the same spot every day. Switch to soft fabric ties for man buns, keep them loose, and switch up where you tie regularly.

Rinse After the Pool or Ocean

Dermatologists recommend a swim cap and rinsing your hair immediately after swimming, then following with shampoo and conditioner. Do the same after a day in the ocean to rinse off the salt water that can cause damage and reduce shine.

Build a Hair Routine That Protects Your Ends With Dr. Squatch

Split ends come from every day wear, and anyone can get them. Once a strand splits, a trim is the only true fix. But with the right haircare routine and supportive products, you can manage the split ends you have and prevent new ones from showing up. Dr. Squatch Shampoo is made with cleansers that are gentle on hair. And our natural conditioner leaves your hair feeling softer and easy to manage. Browse the full hair care lineup to pick your scent.