Trichoptilosis refers to which condition?

• A. Beaded hair caused by irregular growth
• B. Knotted hair caused by weak hair shafts
• C. Dandruff
• D. Split ends

Answer: (D)

Trichoptilosis is split ends. It happens when the hair’s protective cuticle is damaged by repeated friction, chemical processing, or heat, causing the outer layer to wear away and the cortex to fray at the ends. Once the ends split, the damage tends to travel up the shaft if not cut off, so the usual remedy is trimming away the split portion. Regular conditioning and minimizing heat, rough handling, and harsh chemicals help prevent further splitting. For a barber, this means advising clients to trim split ends regularly, use conditioning treatments, and reduce damage from styling. The other options describe different hair or scalp issues—flaking on the scalp (dandruff) or irregular/knotted growth along the shaft—so they aren’t what trichoptilosis refers to.