By now, you, or someone you know, has experienced the hair trauma of split ends. If your hair is breaking, you’re noticing more fly-aways, or the ends of your hairs have a frayed look, you may have some split ends. This happens from damage to the tresses, which can stem from extreme weather, bleaching, chemical treatments, or even the use of styling tools, like a blow dryer or curling iron (via Healthline).

According to VOX, a split end occurs when the cuticle (outer layer of hair), is withered away by stressors, and the gentler, inner part of the strand, which is made up of proteins, is left vulnerable. 

There are many treatments on the market that claim to help repair split ends such as leave in conditioners, salon treatments, and hair masks. While these products promise to help your broken hair retain some healthy shine and bounce, some do tend to work better than others.

Hair masks are beneficial but not how you might think

Unfortunately, aside from trimming them off, split ends can never be fully repaired, but there is good news — you can keep your hair as healthy as possible with certain hair mask treatments (via VOX).

Joel Warren, master colorist and co-founder of Warren-Tricomi salons, tells HuffPost that regular use of a hair mask can help to “impart shine, help with manageability, and work to nourish the cuticle.” While these touted miracle hair treatments will not cure your split ends, British celebrity hairstylist Mark Hill tells Huffpost that using them will help prevent further damage.

When choosing a hair mask, the experts at Byrdie recommend one with ultra-hydrating ingredients, like shea butter and argan oil, found in SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque. This drugstore mask is not only affordable, it is also extremely nourishing which will leave your locks looking (and feeling) soft and healthy.

Both Byrdie and The Strategist agree on the best overall hair mask for damaged hair, Olaplex no.3 Hair Perfector, as it’s repairing mechanism is gentle yet effective. Maria Elizabeth, the founder of Salon deZEN, tells The Strategist that the Olaplex mask can “visibly strengthen hair, reduce breakage, and truly improve the overall look and feel of the hair.”

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