People tend to fall into two categories: those who religiously have their hair cut every few weeks and those who freely admit they haven’t cut their hair in years and are all the happier for it. But letting your hair grow and grow can end up doing more harm than good. To make your hair the healthiest, strongest, and yes, even longest it can be, the key is getting your hair cut on a regular basis.
"Hair is keratinized protein," says Philip B, a celebrity hair treatment expert. "Any natural living byproduct of the body does wear out in time." Philip B emphasizes that it's important to get hair cut regularly.
Regularly trimming or cutting your hair comes with many benefits. It can improve hair growth, create natural thickness, prevent hair from over drying or breaking off, and keep hair healthy overall. Regular haircuts help eliminate split ends, preventing them from moving up the hair shaft and causing more damage. By getting rid of split ends, your hair gains a new lease on life, appearing healthier and more vibrant. Routine cuts actually promote healthier and faster hair growth. When you remove the damaged ends, your hair can focus its energy on growing from a strong foundation. This leads to thicker, longer locks that have a gorgeous, uniform appearance.
Regular haircuts can make a world of difference. When your hair is free from split ends and damage, it becomes much more manageable and easier to style. You’ll spend less time struggling with knots and tangles and more time flaunting your effortlessly stunning locks. Regular cuts ensure that your hairstyle maintains its shape and structure, preventing it from looking overgrown and unkempt. This process encourages the growth of new, healthy hair, creating an overall improvement in your hair’s texture, shine, and vitality.
When you cut it depends on a few things. The two biggest factors involve:
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Of course, many people are concerned with both.
You probably grew up thinking that split ends were the one sign to look for. But split ends are actually a sign that you’ve waited too long. Before the splitting, the ends of your hair may feel dry and brittle. You may also find that it’s getting difficult to brush or comb your hair all the way through. Styling may also prove to be more time-consuming, and your overall hair may seem lifeless compared to normal.
Truthfully, it is best to give you hair a trim before these signs because once you see them there is already damage done. If you can get in front of it, your hair will always appear its healthiest, shiniest and retain the most moisture, bounce, and body. Sometimes it's not possible to stop damage before it starts, so here are telltale signs that you need a haircut:
For those with hair, “every 6 to 8 weeks” is likely ingrained in your memory. But hairstylists have a different view. Michael Fuzailov, owner of Poiz Beauty Salon, says the average time frame between cuts is “every 3 to 4 months.” Hairstylist Lisa Huff recommends trimming between a quarter to half an inch off the hair every 12 weeks if growing it out. Doing it more often won’t make your hair grow any quicker. Strands only grow approximately a half inch every month, per the American Academy of Dermatology. You may also need more off if breakage has moved from the ends further up the hair. “Find a stylist you trust and allow them to cut off what is needed,” says Huff.
The absolute maximum amount of time that he would wait for a hair cut? Six months. After a certain amount of time, no matter how well you treat your hair, your very tips tend to get [frayed]," says Philip B.
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Here is a quick guide on how frequently you need to get a trim based on your hair type, length and style. Typically, the shorter your hair, the more often you’ll need a trim. On average, hair grows half an inch per month, so one month of growth is extremely noticeable on short hair.
Whether you have a pixie cut, bowl cut, or a contemporary crop, you’ll probably need to maintain it every month or so. (Some people can stretch to 6 weeks.) Short cuts look overgrown faster than hair past the shoulder because of the way they frame the face. In other words, they lose their distinctiveness pretty quickly. Regular trims will help keep things looking sharp.
How often should you get a haircut if you have short hair? Every two to four weeks. People with short hair tend to like to do every two weeks to four weeks just to keep it tight and looking good. At two weeks, short hair still holds its shape, but by four weeks, it starts to look overgrown.
Those with long bobs (also known as lobs), tousled shags, or layered shoulder length styles all fall into the medium length category. Sharper styles tend to grow out better, meaning you can wait a little longer for a trim. If you want to keep your hair at the same length, get it cut every 6 to 8 weeks. But if you want to grow it a little longer, cut it every 8 to 12 weeks.
If you have medium-length hair, or hair that hangs between your shoulders and armpits, you can get a trim as infrequently as 3-4 times per year. This all depends on how healthy your hair is, however.
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How often should you get a haircut if you have mid-length hair? Every eight to twelve weeks. Mid length can be very here nor there, and when it goes nor there, you usually throw it in a ponytail. It’s nice when the edges are shaped.
Long hair can go much longer, especially if [you] don’t color or use heat on it. Between 3 and 6 months is usually recommended, depending on the shape of your style, which can range from braids and sleek and straight looks to beach waves and voluminous curls. However, it’s worth noting that long hair can seem thinner and break easier. So pay attention to your hair to see when the time is right for a trim.
Long hair is defined as hair that has grown past your armpits. When your locks get this long, it’s time to go in for more frequent trims. Longer hair is more fragile, which leads to more serious hair breakage too.
How often should you get a haircut if you have long hair? Every six months. Longer hair requires much less maintenance when it comes to getting a hair cut. It’s far more forgiving. Philip B says that many people with long hair simply want minimal trims, so they tend to get their hair cut less often so as not to lose length. This comes with a caveat: While long hairstyles may adapt better to longer times between trims, long hair can also be more susceptible to breakage, since it's older than shorter hair. If you're noticing split ends or more frequent snags, it's time to get a trim.
When you should get a trim also depends on your hair texture: Thicker long hair can go longer between trims, while you might want to get more frequent trims for thinner hair.
Those with thick hair can often go a few months without visiting a salon. On one hand, they may not need a refresh quite so often. But on the other hand, thick-haired people know all too well how unruly strands can become without regular maintenance. Since thick hair is stronger than fine or thin hair, you can go longer between trims, possibly even a few months. But thick hair can get unruly and may need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks.
How often should you get a haircut if you have thick hair? Every six months. Like long hair, thick hair tends to be more forgiving, so you can wait up to six months between trims.
Thinner hair types may find their style begins to look lackluster after a couple of months. Fine hair is more fragile than coarse hair, which means more frequent trims are necessary to keep damage under control.
Just like thick hair types, those with coarse hair can usually delay their trim for a few months. Again, it’s all about recognizing when your style needs a quick refresh.
Typically, ultra-fine hair breaks easier than coarse hair, so these people usually need trims more often. This may be as early as every 6 weeks and will often be nothing more than a speedy trim to keep the length. Finer hair tends to show every cut and can grow out less than ideally. You'll want to get this type of hair cut frequently. Philip B. says fine hair is more susceptible to damage from hot tools and body building products than other hair types, so frequent trims are key.
Straight- and wavy-haired individuals can usually stick to the average waiting period, so around every 10 to 12 weeks. But if you have particularly fine strands, you may need to book that cut a couple of weeks earlier. Straighter hair can grow out really shabby looking. Try getting it cut every month or two, particularly if your hair is both fine and straight.
Curly hair can wait longer because even when it grows, it doesn’t seem to look much different. Some people, particularly those who want their hair to grow, can restrict cuts to twice a year, while others may stick to quarterly cuts. Those with curly, textured or coily hair can go as long as six months without a cut or trim. Since this hair texture is a bit more forgiving in the shape and style departments, and many people with curly hair do not use heat styling tools, it can go much longer without a trim. But if you notice your hair's health or curl pattern is changing or the shape is not to your liking, it’s time for a snip.
With curlier hair you can go longer because you can style it, you can do things to it. Being able to style your hair can stretch out time between cuts. There are so many types of curls and curl patterns, but the commonality for cutting usually is that the curl definition or pattern changes and loses its shape. If your curls start looking lackluster, it's likely time for a trim.
For all types of curls, learning how to maintain your hair between cuts can also make a huge difference in how many trims you need. This hair type craves moisture, so using oil hair treatments and leaving some time between washes can mean it takes longer for split ends to appear.
If you look after your coils, hair can wait around 12 weeks before needing a trim. But this hair type tends to experience dryness more often than others. So if you fall into that fragile category, you’ll probably need cuts more often. Just remember not to cut too much off - you know how much it bounces up afterward.
For natural hair, stylists recommend about 12 weeks, or three months, between trims. This is because this type of hair generally grows more slowly than other types. Keeping your ends hydrated is key to making sure your natural hair looks its best. If your natural hair is chemically treated, however, aim for eight weeks, since Trimming is needed more often with the use of chemicals and relaxers.
How often should you get a haircut if you have natural hair? Every three to four months.
Hair that’s exposed to constant heat, whether via straightening, drying, or curling, needs to be cut more often. This is because heat damages hair, and the easiest way to get rid of said damage is to cut it off. It doesn’t mean you have to shave off inches, but getting your hair cut every few weeks will increase its health over time.
The same goes for chemically processed or dyed hair. Color causes hair to be more fragile at the ends, meaning more frequent cuts or trims are in order. Hair which is chemically treated, dyed, or frequently heated to high temperatures for styling is much more prone to damage. This means that you might start to notice split ends sooner after a cut than those who don’t treat their hair. The chemicals used in hair dye will damage and weaken your hair. This is especially true if you bleach your hair or use box dye from the store.
Layers that frame the face between the cheekbones and jawline will probably need cutting every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent an overgrown feel. But people with lots of choppy layers may need to reduce that period to just 6 weeks if they don’t want things to appear crooked. Hairstyles with a lot of layers require more frequent trimming to keep their shape. Aim for a refresh every 8-12 weeks. If your hair is shorter, stay closer to the eight-week mark, but if you have longer layers, you can go closer to twelve weeks without a trim.
Tons of layers require more maintenance. After a month, you can really look sexy. After about two months, time to reshape. That's because layered hair doesn’t grow evenly. Every follicle grows at its own frequency, so you have a lot of different lengths going on. Longer layered styles can stretch a bit longer between trims.
If you like your bangs to look just so, you may need to have them trimmed as regularly as every 2 weeks. But most people tend to book appointments every 3 to 4 weeks to avoid the hair-in-eyes look. This is typically the point where bangs feel overgrown.
Bangs should be a monthly trim, but you can go longer if you have lower-maintenance styles like wispy bangs or curtain bangs. For styles that land "just below the brow," Philip B. says that after a month, You’re going to get a half an inch of regrowth, and a half an inch of regrowth is going to be touching your eyelashes. Most people trim their bangs about once per month, or whenever they reach an undesirable length.
Though we often interchange the words “trim” and “cut” when talking about hair, they do mean different things. A trim is when an inch or two is taken off at the ends while a cut is a bit more drastic with more than two to three inches being chopped off. A trim typically takes off between one quarter to one half an inch of hair and won’t add volume or change the overall shape of your hair. A haircut, on the other hand, takes off more than half an inch and gives your locks a new shape.
A trim is best for getting rid of split ends and for when you’re starting to notice breakage. If you notice your hair looking more dry or starting to lose its shape, you’ll also want a trim to revive it all. Signs you need a cut include hair looking limp, hair not holding any style, hair tangling easily, or hair having severe damage. If you’re just looking for a change in style or want to add movement and body to your hair, a cut is necessary to achieve either of those things.
It’s almost a given that your hair will tick more than one of the above boxes. So whether your hair is thick, short, and curly, or fine, dyed, and layered, the best route is to seek professional advice. Failing that, try to get your hair trimmed every couple of months to keep things as healthy as can be. Healthy and trimmed hair will grow faster and looks more radiant. Knowing what your hair needs and sticking to it is the best way to keep your style looking salon fresh. And don’t forget to invest in the correct hair care products. The likes of a deep conditioner and heat protection spray can reduce damage and dryness, allowing you to (slightly) prolong those all-important cutting sessions. Regular haircuts and trims don’t actually make your hair grow longer since it grows from the root. But a cut or trim does help remove any fragile or damaged ends, which stops split ends from splitting even further up the hair shaft and weakening your hair.
There are several ways to keep your hair healthy between visits to your barber. Limit the use of heat styling tools. Repeatedly exposing your hair to direct heat from tools like straighteners and curling irons wears down your hair’s protective layer, leading to major breakage. Deep condition regularly. When hair gets dry, it becomes more prone to breakage. To keep your hair moisturized, apply a deep conditioner once a week. Color carefully. Don't rinse with hot water. While there's nothing like a hot shower, washing your hair with hot water every day can irritate your scalp and weaken your hair.
The upkeep between hair appointments is just as important as getting those regular trims (or cuts when necessary). A lot of people don’t realize that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. It is recommended getting scalp scrubs and protein hair treatments and using the right hair products like moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to keep hair strong. Be sure to use some form of heat protectant when heat styling and to mask often. If you must use hot tools, you’ll want to use ones that prevent extreme heat damage.
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