Article: You don't actually need to locate split ends to tell if your hair is damaged. It will feel dry and tangled if it is. However, if you want to find the split ends, closely examine your hair with the help of a mirror and good lighting. Split ends occur most often at the tip but can show up anywhere in your hair. Split ends and related damage can occur in several different forms. If you find any of the following, you may want to remove them: Hair tips splitting into two or more strands White dots at the end of your hair Single strand knots (more common in dry, curly hair) A hairdresser can always trim off split ends, but will usually remove about 14 to 1 inch (0.6 to 2.5cm) of your hair along with them. Eventually, all hair will wear out enough to require this treatment. How long you wait between haircuts depends on your hair type, hair health, and how much time you're willing to spend hunting down your own split ends. This can be anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months. If you aren't trimming split ends yourself, avoiding the hairdresser will not save your long hair. Neglected split ends will become weaker and weaker, eventually breaking off. If trimming off split ends are affecting your hair length goals, consider having your hair cut into layers. Ask the hairdresser to trim damaged hair in the surface layer, while leaving lower layers and length intact. If you have afro-textured hair, a mild texturizer can achieve a similar effect, allowing you to manipulate your hair more easily and avoid trimming healthy hair. There are conditioners and other commercial treatments that claim to "heal" split ends. These seal the split ends shut to hide them from view, but the damage is still there. You can use these as a temporary fix, but relying on them long-term may dry out your hair and lead to worse damage.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Check for damaged hair. Cut your hair regularly. Take steps to save hair length. Treat hair repair products with caution.