It's just breakage, which is completely normal for long hair. I'm surprised she hasn't seen it before.
Illustrations of it can be found here:
http://splitends.bebto.com/illustrations.htm
HTH!
~1c/F/ii+
~18"/26.5"/28", then 35"
~4+ inches thick
~letting my bangs grow out
~Date of trims: 7/01, 10/01, 8/02, 4/03
~Routine:
http://hometown.aol.com/amandapanda563/routine.html
~Vitamins: Centrum, biotin, vit. E, MSM, silica