Come see us at our new location at 2727 Saint St., Houston, TX 77027

Hair Care Blog Archives

As Seen In
American Salon Houston Chronicle Houston Modern Luxury Vogue Allure

Different Types of Split Ends: What They Mean and How to Fix Them

Different Types of Split Ends_ What They Mean and How to Fix Them Image

You have definitely heard about split ends and may have even experienced them. Split ends are generally caused by a weakening of the bond between the cuticle and the cortex of the hair shaft. If your hair has split ends, you may have questions about what you can do to fix them and prevent them in the future. Here is some vital information about different types of split ends.

What Do Different Types of Split Ends Mean?

First off, there isn’t one way that damaged hair splits. Some common types of splits include partial splits, double splits, fork splits, and tree splits. Here are some reasons why each of these different types of split ends occurs and what they mean.

Partial Splits

These types of splits are probably the ones you’ve seen the most. This is a small-scale split and isn’t serious. They usually happen when your hair is dry and sustains damage, causing one part of the strand to break away from the main part. When your hair starts to have partial splits, sometimes called an incomplete split, it just means it is dry and overexposed to heat.

Double Splits

While these can look like larger partial splits, the dreaded double split is the easiest to recognize, if you see your hair split in two from the tip, creating a y shape, it is damaged by friction or over-styling your hair.

Fork Splits

While a little less common than the other types of split, a fork split happens when your hair follicle splits into three parts. This shape ends up looking like a fork. When you see this damage, it means your hair isn’t receiving proper hydration.

Tree Splits

If your hair damage has split ends coming out of various places of the follicle, you’re experiencing tree splits. If you see this damage, it means you must receive proper hair trimming because your hair is damaged.

No matter what type of split end you notice, you want to act quickly to prevent more damage. Split ends can signify health problems and ultimately cause further damage to your hair.

What Causes Different Types of Split Ends?

Different Types of Split Ends_ What They Mean and How to Fix Them Image 2

There are many different health factors and habits that can cause damage to the hair, often resulting in split ends. Here are some common causes:

  • Over-brushing your hair

  • Not using the right shampoos and conditioners for your hair type

  • Towel drying your hair

  • Heat styling your hair, like with a blow dryer on a high setting, frequently.

  • Brushing out hair after a shower while it’s still wet

  • Wearing tight ponytails, buns, or other high styles frequently

  • Over-exposure to harsh chemicals or chemical treatments, like in swimming pools or hair bleach

Your hair is also affected by everyday wear and tear; some hair types are more prone to splitting than others.

How Do I Fix Different Types of Split Ends?

Before cutting off your hair, treat the damage first. Different hair types require specialized treatment for different types of split ends. Preventative hair care can go a long way toward keeping hair hydrated and healthy. For instance, if you have curly hairstaying hydrated may require a deep condition since it takes longer to absorb the conditioner. The right hair mask can achieve this process.

If you have fine, straight hair that suffers from excessive heat damage, consider getting a heat protectant spray and applying it to your damp hair. Preparing your hair for exposure to heat helps prevent split down the line and keeps the necessary moisture in your hair.

Schedule an Appointment with an Expert Houston Hair Stylist Today

Sometimes, home treatments aren’t enough to help reverse your hair’s damage. You may need to work with a professional to fix your dry and damaged hair. The right hair stylist can help assess the level of damage to your hair and use a suitable treatment. At Therapy Hair Studio, we’ll work with you to ensure your hair gets the treatments and care it needs to recover. We can even help you schedule regular trims to prevent split ends in the future.

As Houston’s expert salon, we’re prepared to help address your hair’s health through specialized treatments, regular trims, and personalized hair care advice. Let us help support your hair care and help you maintain healthier, split-free hair so that you can feel confident. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today at (713) 355-4247 to book your appointment!


Related Posts:

The Best Haircuts for Every Face Shape

10 Winter Hair Care Tips to Keep Your Hair Healthy

How to Protect Your Hair From Sun and UV Damage

Hair Care for Thick Wavy Hair

Hard Water Hair Care Solutions


Should I Wash My Hair Before Going To The Salon?

 woman with wet, curly hair washes her scalp while standing under the showerIf you’re preparing for a salon visit, you might wonder whether to wash your hair beforehand. The answer isn’t always straightforward, as it depends on the service you’re getting. At Therapy Hair Studio in Houston, we want to ensure you have the best possible experience. Here are the guidelines for different salon services to help you prepare effectively for your appointment.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before a Haircut?

When it comes to haircuts, there’s generally no need to wash your hair before heading to the salon. Most salons, including Therapy Hair Studio, begin haircut services with a thorough wash. We’ll start by shampooing and conditioning your hair, then cut it while it’s still damp. This allows our stylists to see how your hair naturally falls and moves when wet, which is crucial for achieving the perfect cut.

After the cut, we’ll finish with a blow-dry. This step is essential because hair appears slightly longer when wet and loses some elasticity when dry. By blow-drying your hair, we can ensure you’re completely satisfied with the length and style before you leave our salon.

In some cases, if it’s better to cut your hair when it’s dry, we’ll still wash and blow-dry it before the cut if you wish. This way, you’ll leave with that fresh, salon-clean feeling regardless of the cutting technique used.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before a Hair Color Appointment?

Contrary to what you might have heard, it’s best to come to your color appointment with clean hair. This might surprise you, as older advice often suggests coming with dirty hair to protect your scalp from harsh chemicals. However, hair coloring products have evolved significantly over the years.

Modern hair color formulations are much gentler on your scalp and hair. In fact, having clean hair can improve your color results. Any buildup or excess oil on your hair can prevent the color from penetrating the hair strands as deeply, potentially affecting the final look you’re aiming for.

For the best results when getting highlights or all-over color at Therapy Hair Studio, we recommend washing your hair 24-48 hours before your appointment.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before a Hairstyling Appointment?

smiling woman reclines at a salon sink while a hairstylist rinses her dark hair using a handheld showerheadWhile you might have heard that second-day hair holds styles better, modern styling products have made working with freshly washed hair easier.

For a blowout, there’s no need to wash your hair before your appointment. At Therapy Hair Studio, we’ll provide the full treatment, including washing, drying, and styling your hair. This ensures you leave with that perfect, salon-fresh look.

We recommend coming in with clean, dry hair for special occasion styling, such as updos or formal styles. This gives our stylists a blank canvas to work with, allowing for better product application and longer-lasting results. If additional texture is needed, we can easily add it using professional texture sprays and other styling products.

Additional Considerations

While we’ve covered the main services, there are a few more scenarios to keep in mind when preparing for your salon visit. Here are some additional tips to ensure you get the most out of your appointment at Therapy Hair Studio:

  • New Clients: If this is your first time visiting Therapy Hair Studio, we prefer you come with clean hair. This allows us to see how you typically style your hair, where you part it, and what your preferences are. It helps us better understand your hair needs and how we can best serve you.
  • Extensions: Clean hair is a must for extension appointments, whether new installations or move-ups. This ensures the extensions are placed in a clean environment, reducing the risk of buildup and promoting better adhesion.
  • Dry Shampoo: If you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to wash your hair before your appointment, using a dry shampoo can help absorb excess oil. However, avoid using too much product, as this can create buildup that might interfere with certain services.
  • Communication: If you’re unsure whether to wash your hair before an appointment, don’t hesitate to call us. Our team at Therapy Hair Studio is always happy to provide guidance based on your specific service and hair type.

While these guidelines apply to most situations, individual hair types and specific styling techniques might call for different preparations. Your stylist at Therapy Hair Studio may have personalized recommendations based on your hair’s unique needs and the service you’re receiving.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Unless your service includes a shampoo (like most haircuts and blowouts), the rule of thumb is to visit the salon with clean hair. This allows our stylists to work with a fresh canvas, ensuring the best possible results for your cut, color, or style.

Following these guidelines will prepare you for your next visit to Therapy Hair Studio in Houston. We look forward to helping you achieve the perfect look, whether you’re coming in for a trim, a color refresh, or a special occasion style! Contact us today.

Related Posts:


How to Protect Your Hair From Sun and UV Damage

How to Protect Your Hair From Sun and UV Damage Image

As summer beckons us outdoors, we often focus on shielding our skin from harmful UV rays, but our hair deserves equal attention and care. Knowing how to protect your hair from sun damage is essential, as sun exposure can wreak havoc on your locks, causing dryness, brittleness, and color fading. At Therapy Hair Studio, we understand the importance of maintaining healthy, vibrant hair year-round.

Understanding Sun Damage to Hair

UV rays penetrate the hair’s cuticle, breaking down the proteins that give it strength and elasticity. This process leads to weakened strands, split ends, and a dull appearance. The sun’s heat can also strip away natural oils, leaving hair dehydrated and prone to breakage. For those with color-treated hair, sun exposure accelerates fading, diminishing the vibrancy of your carefully chosen hue.

Preventive Measures for Sun Protection

Protective headgear serves as your first line of defense against sun damage. Wide-brimmed hats, scarves, and caps protect your hair and shield your scalp and face from harmful rays. Opt for breathable materials to keep cool while providing maximum coverage.

Limit sun exposure during peak hours, typically between 10 am and 4 pm. If you must venture out, seek shade under trees or umbrellas to minimize your hair’s exposure to intense UV rays.

Apply a leave-in conditioner or serum with UV filters before heading outdoors. These products create a protective barrier, shielding your hair from sun damage while providing extra moisture.

Consider embracing protective hairstyles like braids, buns, or updos when spending extended periods in the sun. These styles minimize exposure and reduce the risk of damage to your hair’s length and ends.

Regular trims help maintain overall hair health. Schedule appointments to remove split ends and damaged portions of your hair. This practice prevents further damage from spreading up the hair shaft.

Nourishing and Repairing Sun-Exposed Hair

Even with preventive measures, some sun exposure remains inevitable. Incorporate these strategies to nourish and repair your hair after sun exposure:

  • Treat your hair to weekly deep conditioning masks to replenish lost moisture and restore shine. Look for products rich in natural oils and proteins to strengthen sun-weakened strands.
  • After swimming or sweating, rinse your hair with cool water to remove chlorine, salt, or sweat. This practice prevents these substances from drying out your hair further.
  • Before bed, apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to nourish your hair overnight. This routine helps repair damage and prepares your hair for the next day’s sun exposure.
  • Consume foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients support hair health from the inside out, promoting strength and shine.

Therapy Hair Studio’s Sun Protection Arsenal

Therapy Hair Studio offers a curated selection of products to protect and nourish your hair from sun damage. Our expert stylists recommend the following:

  • Kerastase Bain Après Soleil Shampoo targets sun-exposed hair, providing essential nourishment and protection. Its formula helps remove chlorine, salt, and sand while replenishing moisture. Regular use keeps your hair soft, manageable, and resilient against UV rays.
  • Hydrate Me Wash, infused with Kakadu Plum, delivers intense hydration and antioxidant protection. It shields your hair from environmental stressors while leaving it soft and shiny.
  • Angel Wash, perfect for stressed or color-treated hair, provides gentle cleansing and nourishment. Its formula helps maintain color vibrancy while protecting against sun-induced fading.
  • Plumping Rinse, a hydrating conditioner, strengthens and fortifies your hair, creating an additional barrier against sun damage. It leaves your locks fuller, softer, and more manageable.

Creating a Sun-Safe Hair Care Routine

 close-up of a woman applying hair product to her hair

Incorporate these steps into your daily routine for optimal sun protection:

In the morning, apply a leave-in conditioner with UV filters. If you spend time outdoors, style your hair in a protective updo. Wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.

During midday, reapply leave-in protectant if needed. Seek shade during peak sun hours. Rinse hair with cool water after swimming or excessive sweating.

In the evening, wash your hair with a protective shampoo like Kerastase Bain Après Soleil. Apply a deep conditioning mask once a week. Use a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and maintain moisture overnight.

Remember, consistency remains vital in protecting your hair from sun damage. By incorporating these practices and products into your routine, you’ll maintain healthy, vibrant locks throughout the sun-soaked months.

Embracing Sun-Safe Hair Care

At Therapy Hair Studio, we remain committed to helping you achieve and maintain your hair goals, regardless of season. Our carefully curated product selection and expert advice empower you to protect your locks from the sun’s harmful effects while enhancing their natural beauty.

To learn more about protecting your hair from sun and UV damage or to schedule a consultation with our expert stylists, contact Therapy Hair Studio at (713) 355-HAIR (4247). Your journey to sun-safe, beautiful hair starts here!

Related Posts:

How to Keep Your Salon Hair Color From Fading

Hair Care Basics: How Often You Should Shampoo and Condition Your Hair

How to Make Your Brazilian Blowout Last Longer