Hair Glossary

The "splitting of hairs at the ends," according to Dorland's Pocket Medical Dictionary, 21st edition, 1968. Also commonly referred to as "split ends." Comes from the Greek root "tricho" meaning hair and "ptilosis" meaning "falling out of the eyelashes." Also called "schizotrichia." A split end occurs when the hair-shaft splits or flays due to a variety of styling or treatment methods including the use of excessive heat, combing, brushing or overwashing. There is no permanent way to repair split ends. Once the ends split they must be trimmed off or they may travel up the entire hair shaft. Split ends may be temporarily repaired with various hair gels or serums.