Chronic dry ends

[christine1989]

For the past few weeks my ends (which are usually in good health) have been REALLY dry. I have tried everything to moisturize them from coconut oil to castor oil and even jojoba and deep conditioning but nothing makes a difference. My initial response was that it needed a trim but after searching for split ends for over an hour and coming up empty I am having second thoughts about trimming.

Has anyone had their ends dry out so suddenly like this? What could be causing such a sudden dry out and can it be fixed? :confused:

[09robiha]

If I use a product with gylcerin my hair dries out like nothing else.
It could be the weather?
Maybe try leavin condish on them overnight in a bun to get a really good soaking??

[Teazel]

Might be a protein disaster (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=17)?

[patience]

Have you tried to clarify? It could just be buildup.

[Aleria]

Mine did this a month or so ago, after going nearly a year without a trim. I got an inch and a half off and it's softer than ever.
Try the other suggestions first though ;)

[Gypsygirl]

I agree with Teazel and Patience- this sounds like a bad case of build-up. Maybe give clarifying shampoo with a little baking soda a shot...followed by SMT! :)

[christine1989]

Thanks everyone! It never occured to me that piling on the oil might be aggrivating the dryness. I'm heading for the shower tommorow morning with clarifying shampoo in hand! :) Hopefully it will work and save me from having to trim.

[LouLaLa]

I agree with Teazel and Patience- this sounds like a bad case of build-up. Maybe give clarifying shampoo with a little baking soda a shot...followed by SMT! :)


Seconded. SMT can save pretty much anything! You could also buy kids detangler spray, i find that helps me tame unruly ends.
I also dip mine in olive oil or honey now and leave to dry, then wash out- ive found it prevents dryness, might not suit everyone though.

[Gypsygirl]

Good luck, Christine, keep us posted! :)

[klcqtee]

Have you tried to clarify? It could just be buildup.

I'd say clarify. If that doesn't help, do an EVOO soak. It's my magic cure for crunchy, weird ends.

[Fairlight63]

I tried to find the SMT receipe but couldn't find it. Could some one please post the link? Thanks!

[missmagoo]

Yeah, I've found that coconut oil can kind of build up on my ends if I'm not careful. Sometimes co-washing rather than shampoo is actually more helpful (I think something about the oil breaking down the oil)

[Jenn of Pence]

I'm also having a bout of dry, Velcro ends, so I feel your pain! Before the enlightening of LHC I thought that was the end of the line for my ends and always got a trim. At least now I know there is a course of action before getting out the scissors. :D I did a clarify and one quick SMT earlier this week, and I plan to do another SMT this weekend; I hope I am able to keep it on longer this time.
Good luck with your end rehab! :)

[HintOfMint]

Like everyone said, clarify.

As a general rule, the moisturizing treatments don't work when there is buildup, which is probably why all the treatments simply didn't take.

[Coffeebug]

If clarifying doesn't work the first time, try it again cos it can sometimes take a couple of goes to shift severe build up.

[Yozhik]

I was having this problem too, and was seriously considering trimming until I clarified -- poof! and my ends were better again :magic:

[wanderwoot]

Hmm, I am having this problem too. My ends are super dry! How should I clarify -- do I just use my normal shampoo? I have never clarified before, but I also never shampoo my ends so its very likely to be build up.

[deko]

If the clarify routine doesn't work you could trim just a little bit (2 mm / 1/10 inch) and try again. A little dusting can work magic!

Leave the oilings for a while and clarify, use a SMT or similar deep treatment. Lose the protein conditioners for a while and focus to add moisture to your hair. I use coffee butter for now and my ends feel wonderfull :)

[Teazel]

Hmm, I am having this problem too. My ends are super dry! How should I clarify -- do I just use my normal shampoo? I have never clarified before, but I also never shampoo my ends so its very likely to be build up.

Look for a shampoo with "Clarifying" on the label. A clarifying shampoo is designed to strip your hair completely, so you might want to plan to do a moisturing treatment immediately afterwards.

Some people use baking soda, but I can't tell you the method for that as I've never done it.

[AstrayStar]

I am having similar problem! The last couple weeks my ends just dried right up, I am guessing from so much swimming and the heat! Anyway, I tried clarifying and didn't help and tried smt and didn't really help, so I tried smt again added a bit of castor oil and then slept overnight in a baggie and toque and my hair in the morning was soooo much better!

the traditional smt I belive was 4 parts conditioner, 1 part honey, 1 part aloe

Good luck!!!! Hth!

ETA- Just noticed Teazels comment about the baking soda. That is what I do to clarify, since I haven't shampooed in over 3 years. Works best if you use 1tbsp per cup of water.

[christine1989]

I clairified twice and that really seemed to help a lot. They are still a little dry but getting better. I think an excess of jojoba oil may have had something to do with it- it seems to give my hair a very synthetic feel even if it does moisturize well.

[wanderwoot]

ETA- Just noticed Teazels comment about the baking soda. That is what I do to clarify, since I haven't shampooed in over 3 years. Works best if you use 1tbsp per cup of water.


Ok -- I will try this! So you put it all over -- your ends as well, not just your scalp? I assume so as its the ends I was to clarify. I don't want to buy a whole new shampoo just for this, as I'm trying to cut down on commercial products (I'm already about to break down and buy a conditioner). I suppose I will if it comes to it but it seems like a waste and it will probably take me about ten years to use up! :p

[PiroskaCicu]

I say SMT! Leave it in for a long time, wash out and then after if it's still dry... do a little trim on the ends.