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Split
ends
Trichoptilosis is a longitudinal splitting of hair fiber better
known as "split ends". It develops after the protective
cuticle has been stripped away from the end of hair fibers as a
result of over processing. Any chemical or physical trauma that
weathers the hair may eventually lead to split ends. It can even
be induced by vigorous brushing. Typically the damaged hair fiber
splits into two or three strands and the split may be two or three
centimeters in length. However the greater the damage to the hair
fiber the more severe the split ends may be. Splits running several
centimeters in length and in multiple strands is possible in severely
weathered hair.
Occasionally the cuticle stripping and hair splitting develops
in the middle of a hair fiber and this results in the hair fiber
breaking into more than one strand but held together as a single
strand at the scalp root and tip of the hair.
Split ends are more likely to develop in brittle hair that may
develop due to other hair shaft defect conditions such as bamboo
hair (trichorrhexis invaginata), monilethrix, trichothiodystrophy,
Netherton's syndrome, and pili torti.
Once the cuticle is removed from hair fiber it is impossible to
replace. The best treatment is to cut the hair and remove the split
and damaged hair. Treatments that involve "gluing" the
frayed parts of fiber together do not work well or last very long.
Split
ends references
- Gummer CL. Hair shaft effects from cosmetics
and styling. Exp Dermatol. 1999 Aug;8(4):317.
- Aljabre SH. Trichoptilosis caused by
misuse of ketoconazole 2% shampoo. Int J Dermatol. 1993 Feb;32(2):150-1.
- Burkhart CG, Huttner JJ, Bruner J. Central
trichoptilosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1981 Dec;5(6):703-5.
- Freiderich HC, Fröb G. Zur Pathogenese
der Trichoptilosis. Dermatologische Wochenschrift. 1949;120:674-8.
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