If you want to win the battle against damaged hair, then you need to know how to prevent split ends. And while many of us simply resort to snipping our split cuticles, there are plenty of tips for repairing and preventing split ends.

1. Brush through your hair before showering.
This will minimize tangles and prevent breakage (which can lead to split ends) that can occur when you brush your hair post-shower. Apply shampoo towards the crown of your head and lather it gently downward, keeping hair straight (without bunching it up) by making a zigzag motion with your fingers down the length of your hair.

2. Use plenty of conditioner while showering and use a leave-in after, if need be.
Not only will your hair feel super-smooth to the touch, the lubrication will also help prevent split end causing breakage.

3. Try not to brush your hair while it's wet.
Yes, this is a hard thing to avoid, but if you do the aforementioned two steps, (and avoid scrunching your hair up in a towel), you should be able to easily comb through it.

4. Lay off the heat styling tools.
Anything that uses heat to treat your hair (blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons, etc.) is damaging. Try experimenting with different hairstyles that don't call for a sleek look. Style it with a little mousse to add texture and maybe even — gasp — let it air dry.

5. When getting your hair trimmed, cut about 1 ½-inches above your split ends.
Split ends will continue to split if left unattended, so this will help prevent more damage.

6. Use a split end treatment to prevent splitting.
Our readers have done the work here for you by testing out these hair care products that remedy split ends. Whether in serum, conditioner, silkener or shampoo form, our readers rave these products will give your strands all the hair therapy they need to become healthier.

Image via Imaxtree