Does cutting hair dry cause split ends? Trimming your hair is the best way to get rid of split ends, but some hair-cutting techniques can cause split ends to form. Let’s take a closer look at cutting dry hair and whether this method can cause more split ends.
Does Cutting Hair Dry Cause Split Ends?
Cutting your hair when dry doesn’t necessarily result in split ends. As long as you use quality shears and a cutting technique adapted to your hair texture, a dry cut will not cause any damage.
Split ends happen when the cuticle becomes damaged and exposes the cortex. At first, your hair will look thinner at the end as the cuticle strips away from the hair. With time, the cortex can split and form a fork or tree shape.
Exposure to chemicals, extreme weather, bleach damage, or poor cutting techniques can cause breakage in the cuticle, and split ends will form.
Besides trimming your hair, applying a hair treatment like a deep conditioner or hair mask, protein, or moisture treatment after bleach can help repair damaged cuticles and prevent more split ends from appearing.
Wet Vs. Dry Cutting
Cutting wet hair is a common technique because water causes the hair to clump together. It makes it easier for stylists to get precise lines.
One of the downsides of wet cuts is natural shrinkage. Water weighs your hair down, and curly or wavy hair looks much longer when wet. It can be difficult to see how much length you’re removing.
Another drawback of cutting wet hair is that water changes the texture of your hair. It’s not a major issue if you have straight hair, but you won’t be able to follow the natural shape of your curls or waves if you cut your hair directly after a shampoo. Plus, some hair textures are difficult to cut because they become curly when wet.
Cutting dry hair allows you to see exactly how much length you’re removing. You can also see where your split ends are and how much you need to trim to get rid of them.
Plus, working with dry hair makes your natural texture easy to see and allows you to cut at the end of the C or S-patterns to enhance this texture.
What Causes Split Ends?
Does cutting hair dry cause split ends? A dry or wet cut can result in split ends if you use dull shears. Hair-cutting scissors that can’t create a clean line will shred your cuticles and cause breakage. Investing in quality shears or getting a haircut from a professional will prevent breakage and split ends.
If you decide to cut your hair at home, section it and use a comb to work on a small section at a time. It’s easier to create sharp lines if you’re cutting a small quantity of hair at once.
You should also know that chemicals can cause split ends. Bleach is a major culprit since it lifts the hair cuticle to neutralize your natural color pigment or allow permanent hair dye to bind with the cortex. This process damages the cuticle, and split ends can appear.
If you use chemicals on your hair, you need to nourish and smooth down the cuticle by using a deep conditioner or a hair mask.
FAQs
Read on to learn more about cutting dry hair.
You’re likely getting split ends because you used shears that weren’t sharp enough. The scissors can cause damage instead of creating a sharp line when cutting your hair.
Twists, buns, ponytails, and updos can put pressure on your hair and cause it to coil against its natural texture. Loose hairstyles are generally best for preventing split ends.
You should be able to see your hair splitting along its length. Your hair texture might feel rough, especially when touching your ends, and your hair might be difficult to comb through.
So, Does Cutting Hair Dry Cause Split Ends?
Cutting dry hair won’t cause split ends as long as you’re using sharp hair-cutting scissors and working on small sections. Avoiding chemicals, keeping your hair hydrated, and trimming your hair regularly are the best ways to prevent split ends.
