What Not to Do to Your Hair at Home: Burning Split Ends

By Katie Snowden, www.katie.es

Hi lovelies

Today we need to talk about one of the most dramatic and slightly terrifying things people have tried at home. Burning split ends with a candle or lighter.

Yes, some people really do this. And no, it does not end well.

The Idea Behind It

The thought process goes like this. If the ends of my hair are splitting, I will just burn them off. Quick, easy, no scissors needed. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Very wrong.

What Actually Happens

Hair is flammable. Very flammable. Instead of neatly sealing your ends, you risk setting whole strands alight. Before you know it, you smell smoke, panic sets in, and you are waving your head around like a firework display.

Even if you manage to avoid a full flame, the heat from a lighter or candle can still damage the length of your hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and more split than it was in the first place.

The “Velaterapia” Myth

There was once a trend called velaterapia where models supposedly had their split ends burned off by candle. The idea was to seal the ends and make the hair look smoother. What they did not show you was the damage, the breakage, and the smell of burnt hair that lingered for days.

Why Trims Are Safer

The only safe way to deal with split ends is a trim. Simple, painless, and effective. In the salon I can remove just the damaged parts without sacrificing your length, leaving your hair looking fresh and healthy. No smoke alarms required.

My Advice

If you are tempted to try this at home, please do not. Put down the lighter, step away from the candle, and book a trim instead. It will take me a few minutes and save you weeks of damage, not to mention potential trips to the fire brigade.

So the next time you see a candle, use it for setting the mood, not for setting your hair on fire. If you want healthy, shiny ends without the drama, come see me at www.katie.es. I promise I can banish your split ends the safe and stylish way.

Love, Katie x