Your ultimate step-by-step guide to fixing split ends

Split ends are a pain and while they are practically unavoidable, the good news is with the right approach and a little consistency they are totally manageable. Here’s your five step plan.

1. Start with the only true fix: a trim
Let’s be honest—once a hair strand splits, it can’t be permanently repaired.

The most effective solution is a clean trim to stop the damage from traveling further up the shaft. Even a micro-trim every six to eight weeks keeps the ends looking fresh.

2. Boost your hydration
Dryness is one of the biggest causes of split ends. Invest in a nourishing conditioner and commit to a weekly deep-conditioning mask.

Look for ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and keratin to restore moisture and smooth the cuticle.

3. Turn down the heat
Excessive heat styling weakens the hair structure, making it more prone to splitting. Try air-drying when possible, and always use a heat protectant before styling tools. Lower temperatures can make a noticeable difference over time.

4. Be gentle with your hair
Rough towel-drying and aggressive brushing can worsen breakage. Switch to a microfibre towel or even a cotton T-shirt to dry your hair, and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle—starting from the ends and working upward.

5. Seal and protect
While you can’t fix split ends permanently, lightweight oils and hair serums can temporarily seal them, giving a smoother, polished appearance. Think of it as a finishing touch rather than a cure.

The secret to faster hair growth: simple habits for stronger, healthier hair

Healthy, beautiful hair doesn’t happen overnight—but with the right care and consistency, you can absolutely support faster, stronger growth.

At Pankhurst & Deane, we always remind our clients that hair growth starts at the scalp and it’s also influenced by your daily habits as well as the products you use. Here are our secret tricks for hair growth.

Look after your scalp

Maintaining a clean and well-nourished scalp is essential. Product build-up, excess oil and environmental pollutants can block hair follicles and slow down growth. Using a gentle, high-quality shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type helps keep your scalp balanced and healthy—creating the ideal environment for hair to thrive.

Give yourself a head massage

Scalp massage is another simple but powerful habit to introduce into your routine. Taking a few minutes each day to gently massage your scalp can help stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, encouraging healthier growth over time. It’s a small step that can make a noticeable difference when done consistently.

Get a trim

Regular trims are often misunderstood when it comes to growing your hair. While trimming doesn’t directly speed up growth from the root, it does prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft and causing breakage. Keeping your ends healthy means your hair can retain its length more effectively.

Cut back on heat styling

It’s also important to minimise damage. Frequent heat styling, tight hairstyles, and harsh chemical treatments can weaken the hair, leading to breakage and slower progress. Whenever possible, use heat protection, opt for looser styles, and give your hair regular breaks from intensive styling.

Eat well

Finally, don’t forget that healthy hair starts from within. A balanced diet, proper hydration, and key nutrients all play a role in supporting strong, resilient hair.

Hair growth is a journey, and patience is key—but by focusing on overall hair health, you’ll see stronger, longer results over time.

How to keep your hair strong and healthy

A little redness or a few broken hairs might not seem like a big deal at first, but these early warning signs mean your hair is under stress. The good news? Small changes to your routine can help prevent long-term damage.

Here are some easy ways to protect your hair:

• Loosen tight hairstyles and avoid constant tension

• Give your hairline regular “rest days”

• Choose gentler products and avoid heavy application every day

• Limit heat use and always use heat protectant

• Opt for silk or satin at night to reduce friction

Healthy hair starts with mindful habits—and we’re here to help. If you’re worried about thinning or want personalised advice, book a consultation with one of our stylists. We’ll help you find styles and routines that keep your hair looking gorgeous while protecting it for the long-run.

Yes, you can get rid of split ends - here's how

Getting rid of split ends isn’t as hard as you think. This is our expert advice for what to do now.

But firstly, what are split ends and what causes them? Split ends are basically when the ends of your hair are brittle and dry, and they look like they are splitting.

What causes split ends? The most common causes are chemical treatments and styling including blow drying, heat styling, perming, bleaching and all types of hair colouring as well as infrequent hair trims. Environmental elements such as the weather can and often do result in split ends, too. But don’t worry as split ends are normal and it doesn’t mean they are your fault.

How to prevent split ends First up, regular trims removes the damaged ends and prevents them from traveling up the hair shaft. Aim for a haircut every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends. Other things that can help is showering with cooler water than usual, and finishing your shower with a cold blast to seal your cuticle at the end.

When your hair is wet, it’s also at its most vulnerable - it can stretch up to 50% when it’s wet. So put any leave-in conditioners before combing your hair, and try to avoid sleeping with wet hair.

Using a microfibre towel, as opposed to a standard cotton one, straight out of the shower can also help protect hair. This is because microfibre causes less friction on hair especially when it’s fragile. Cutting back on heated styling can also reduce damage.

How to fix split ends When it comes to repairing split ends, treat your hair like you would your skin. So that means use products that add moisture and that are deeply hydrating like a leave-in conditioner or serum.

Three steps to grow out a bob according to the experts

When you're growing out your hair it can feel painstakingly slow, and there's nothing worse than that in between stage when you feel like you're neither one style nor another.

The thing is, there is no single product that will make your hair grow quicker (sorry, we wish there was!). But there are certain things you can do which will get your hair in great condition to help it grow.

Step one: Stop towel drying your hair

If you wrap your hair into a bath towel turban after washing, stop! This causes hair to break and towel rubbing it dry causes even more damage. Instead invest in a microfibre hair wrap like this, which is more gentle on the follicles and also helps to de-frizz at the same time.

Step two: Treat your hair with some TLC

Try and exfoliating shampoo to properly cleanse your hair and strengthen it against breakage. We like this one from L'Oreal Paris. A rich argan-oil based conditioner like this will also keep your locks in good condition.

Step three: Cut your hair every six to eight weeks

We know this sounds scary and counterproductive to someone growing their hair, but regular trims will give your follicles a boost and help with your game-term plan to have long, luscious locks. Book your next appointment by calling us on 01865 553725 or clicking here.

Salon-approved favourites for hydrated hair

Dry and damaged hair? These are our favourite products for hydrating hair, below.

This kitchen staple is the perfect ingredient to make a DIY hair mask

Never know what to do with an over-ripe avocado? Don’t bin it! Instead, use it to make a DIY hair mask that will hydrate and restore dry hair.

Avocados contain natural oils that are super hydrating for dry hair, so using it in a mask is a great way to add shine. It’s also full of vitamins that are nourishing to the scalp and can help hair look healthier.

Avocado hair mask recipe:

1. Mash an avocado until smooth. You can also use a blender to process it.

2. Wet your hair then spread the avocado from your roots to your tips.

3. Leave it in your hair for at least 15 minutes.

4. Shampoo your hair as normal then rinse with cold water.

Winter hair care: five easy tips you can do at home

Cold weather can play havoc with your hair and cause it to be brittle, dry and damaged. The good news? You don’t need a whole new routine or expensive products to keep your hair healthy. Try our simple, budget-friendly tips at home.

1. Turn down the heat
Hot showers and high heat styling can strip moisture from your hair so in the winter try turning the shower down a bit. Using warm (not hot) water and lowering the temperature on your straighteners or curlers when you can will protect hair.

2. Don’t over-wash
Washing your hair too often can dry it and your scalp out even more in the winter. As a general rule, two to three hair washes a week is enough. If your roots get oily, try a little dry shampoo in between.

3. Add moisture with what you already have
If your hair is dry, leave your conditioner on for an extra few minutes in the shower or use it like a mini hair mask once a week.

4. Be gentle when drying
Hair is at its most fragile when wet. Avoid rough towel-drying and instead gently squeeze out excess water instead. If you can, let your hair air dry for a while before using a hairdryer.

5. Protect your hair from the cold
Hats and scarves are great for keeping warm, but they can cause friction and static. Try wearing your hair loosely underneath and avoid tight styles that pull on dry, winter-stressed hair.

A few small changes can make a big difference during the colder months. If your hair still feels dry, flat or unmanageable, pop into the salon — we’re always happy to help you adjust your routine for winter.

Want healthier hair? Avoid doing these five things

We all love a good hair day, but you could be sabotaging how many you have by doing certain normal everyday habits. Here are five common mistakes we see in the salon (and how to fix them).

1. Using the ‘wrong’ brush
Not all brushes are created equal and it’s important to choose one that suits your hair type. Fine, thick, curly or textured hair each need something different. The ‘wrong’ brush can weaken the hair and cause breakage, while the right one helps detangle gently while stimulating the scalp. If brushing feels like a battle, it’s probably time to switch tools.

2. Washing too often… or not often enough
Overwashing can leave your hair and scalp dry, while underwashing can cause product buildup and irritation. For most people, washing around two or three times a week is the best way to keep hair healthy, and fresh.

3. Forgetting about your scalp
Healthy hair starts at the top - your scalp. If your scalp is dry, oily or full of product buildup, it can affect how your hair grows and behaves. Giving your scalp some attention can make a big difference to shine, strength, and overall hair health.

4. Heat styling without protection
We get it — heat tools are part of everyday life. But using them without a heat protectant can seriously damage your hair over time. A good heat protector acts like a barrier, helping prevent dryness, breakage and dullness.

5. Avoiding products altogether
Hair products aren’t the enemy. When used correctly, they protect your hair, add shine and can help maintain your style. The key is using the right products for your hair type — not skipping them entirely.

The good news?
Most hair damage can be improved with a few small changes. Gentler brushing, better washing habits, scalp care and proper heat protection can transform your hair faster than you think.

Not sure what your hair needs? Whether you’re a regular client or visiting us for the first time, we’re always happy to recommend the right tools, products, and routine for your hair.

Five everyday styling habits that could be damaging your hair - and how to avoid them

It’s fun experimenting with different hairstyles but the way you do your hair could have a much bigger impact than you realise. And some everyday styling habits could lead to thinning, bald patches and even long-term damage to hair follicles.

To help you protect your hair and keep it healthy, we’ve broken down five things you could be doing that are damaging your hair - and how to avoid them.

1. Tight ponytails, plaits and slicked back buns

We get it—ponytails and buns are quick, stylish, and perfect for busy days. But when they’re pulled back too tightly, they can put excessive tension on the hairline, leading to breakage and even permanent hair loss.

Styles like high snatched ponytails, tight plaits and ultra-sleek buns all rely on strong tension. If you’ve noticed redness, soreness or even tiny broken hairs around your edges after wearing these looks, it’s time to switch things up.

Loosening your style, changing where the tension sits, and giving your hairline regular breaks can make a big difference in preventing long-term damage.

2. Heavy-hold hairspprays, gels, and ‘slicking’

Using strong-hold gels and hairsprays can help achieve a polished look—but every day usage can make your hair dry, stiff and prone to breakage. Dermatologists warn that brushing or combing hair after applying these products can actually snap the strands.

Slicked-back styles in particular often mean brushing and reshaping the same areas repeatedly, which can cause thinning over time. If you love a sleek look, try alternating with softer styles and using products designed to be gentle on the hair.

3. Sleeping in rollers, clips and headscarves

Nighttime habits matter just as much as daytime ones. Sleeping in large rollers, metal clips, or tightly wrapped headscarves can put hours of pressure on the same parts of your scalp. Over time, this constant strain can irritate the follicles and cause thinning around the edges.

Switching to loose, satin sleep caps or soft scrunchies can help minimise tension while still protecting your style.

4. Aggressive backcombing

Backcombing is great for adding lift and volume—but done too often or too harshly, it can seriously damage your hair.

The teasing process roughens the outer layer of your strands, making them weaker and more prone to snapping. If you usually backcomb the same area (especially the crown), the repeated stress can make your hair look thinner even if the follicles themselves are still healthy.

For safer volume, try gentler techniques like root-lifting sprays, volumising mousses, or a round-brush blowout.

5. Excessive heat at the roots

Straighteners, curlers and hairdryers are staples in most routines—but too much heat, or using it too close to the roots, can weaken the hair and cause breakage.

Using high heat daily, straightening from the root, or blow-drying soaking wet hair on full blast can all contribute to thinning at the crown and hairline. Experts recommend keeping tools on low to medium heat, using heat protectant, and cutting back on daily heat styling where possible.

How to keep your hair strong and healthy

A little redness or a few broken hairs might not seem like a big deal at first, but these early warning signs mean your hair is under stress. The good news? Small changes to your routine can help prevent long-term damage.

Here are some easy ways to protect your hair:

• Loosen tight hairstyles and avoid constant tension

• Give your hairline regular “rest days”

• Choose gentler products and avoid heavy application every day

• Limit heat use and always use heat protectant

• Opt for silk or satin at night to reduce friction

Healthy hair starts with mindful habits—and we’re here to help. If you’re worried about thinning or want personalised advice, book a consultation with one of our stylists.

We’ll help you find styles and routines that keep your hair looking gorgeous while protecting it for the long-run.

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