It takes a lot of time and effort in order to acheive long healthy hair. One of the most important factors is to minimize split ends and breakage. Split ends cause the hair to weaken and break, during normal brushing, combing and styling. Once you recognize what you are doing to cause split ends an implement the proper techniques to minimize this condition, you are on your way to long, healthy, beautiful hair.
First and foremost, never brush your hair while it is wet. When you brush wet hair it stretches and weakens. Wait until it is dry before brushing. If you must remove tangles while it is still wet, use a comb which has teeth that are wide spaced. Start at the bottom of the hair, at the tips and work your way to the scalp.
To remove any split ends that you may have, trim your hair once every six weeks. This not only removes dead, split ends, it also promotes new healthy hair growth. When you trim your hair, just barely nip the ends, cuttting less than an eighth of an inch. You don't want to cut too much from the length, or you will be defeating the purpose.
Conditioning is a vital step to help minimize split ends and breakage. Condition each and every time you wash your hair. Try different conditioners, until you find the one that your hair responds well to. I prefer Pantene. I have tried numerous conditioners over the years, but I always come back to Pantene.
Once a month deep condition your hair, to infuse moisture and essential oils. I like to saturate my hair with olive oil. Warm a moist towel in the microwave and then wrap your hair in the towel, for at least thirty minutes. If the towel becomes cool, repeat the process. After thirty minutes of deep conditioning wash and condition your hair as usual.
Try to avoid blow drying, curling irons, hot rollers and crimpers. Heat will dry the hair and make it brittle. Brittle, dry hair is prone to breakage and split ends. Let your hair air dry, naturally when at all possible.
Avoid chemical hair coloring, this will also damage and weaken the hair, leading to split ends and breakage. Use natural, chemical free hair care and coloring products, to minimize split ends and breakage.