Preventing Split Ends In Your Hair

Most kinds of chemicals are going to damage your hair to some extent. Chemicals from getting a perm, having your hair highlighted, colored, etc., or even chlorine in bath or pool water all count.

Try to steer clear of chemicals. Natural hair is beautiful. If you absolutely must color your hair, search for the gentlest coloring agent you can find. If you are going to be using chemicals on your hair, be sure to condition your hair more often.

Protect your hair before swimming in a pool, ocean, or lake. This could include: using a leave-in conditioner, oiling your hair, or using a swim cap. Be sure to rinse and shampoo your hair as soon as possible after swimming.

Find out if the water you use to wash your hair is harmful.
There can be damaging chemicals in the water you wash your hair with...mainly chlorine. There are filters that will reduce the amount of chlorine in your water.

High concentrations of calcium carbonate can make your water "hard". If you are in the US you can check this map to see how hard the water in your area is. A water softening system will be most beneficial to your hair if you live in a hard water area.