Everyone has their own opinion on how often people should cut their hair. For this reason, there is a lot of confusion surrounding this question. Some say to cut it more often for healthier growth, whereas others say give it more time between cuts if you want to see more length. And perhaps the most common rule of thumb is the idea that you should get a trim every six weeks. But the truth of the matter is, there isn’t one rule that applies to everyone. Here, we’ll break down the major reasons to trim hair and the general rules to follow.
The Two Major Reasons To Cut Your Hair
Your decision to cut your hair should be based on two key points. First, you want to ask yourself if your ends are healthy. If you see split ends, if they are more fine or brittle or are breaking off, it is a sign you need a trim. Second, you want to think about if your hair is too long for how you like to style your hair. People with short hair generally decide when they need a haircut based on styling alone, as they are more likely to get regular trims and less likely to have trouble with their ends (unless they color their hair regularly). Shorter hairstyles usually need trims every 3-7 weeks. So, if you have a pixie cut or a bob, for example, you may need more regular trims to keep your style fresh and manageable.
Those with longer hair have more flexibility in how often they trim. If your hair goes past your shoulders, you can usually go around three months between cuts. Some people will extend that time if they are trying to grow their hair out. But you won’t want to go too much longer, as your ends can split, and most people lose their shape (layers or not) after three months.
And a final note about long hair: the longer your hair is, the older it is. Therefore, longer hair is more fragile and prone to breakage, so more regular trims once you reach that ideal length can make a big difference in how your hair looks and feels.
Rules For Different Hair Textures
Your hair texture is equally important when considering the appropriate time between trims.
Curly hair
People with curly hair should usually go no more than two months in between cuts. Curly hair is often more prone to damage, especially when it is color-treated. Thus, anyone who gets coloring with curly hair may want to get a trim each time they do their color.
One of the reasons why curly hair is prone to damage is because it tends to be naturally drier, so the ends are more likely to suffer without regular trimming. Generally speaking, the more tightly curled and kinky the hair, the more prone it is to dryness and breakage.
Straight hair
People with straight hair may have more natural oil, but it is still prone to breakage. The ends are often more visible, so you may see breakage more if your hair is straight compared to curly. Straight hair can also be quite fine as well, meaning there is less of a protective barrier around the medulla of the hair shaft. How often you cut your hair will really depend on length, style, if it is color-treated, and the level of dryness.
Damaged Hair
It is challenging to reverse the effects of damage. Outside of trims, there is not much you can do, except for growing it out and using hair care products that work to repair the cuticles.
If your hair is damaged, you likely will not want to go more than two months in between cuts. However, if you have severe damage from over-coloring or perms, you may want to consider cutting off quite a bit of length so that your hair is healthier and can grow back with more volume.
The Final Word (on Trimming And Growth)
Your hair cycle is influenced by hormones. As a result, any hormonal changes will have an impact on your hair growth and might cause hair loss.
If you’ve recently started taking or changed birth control pills, it could be the reason for your hair loss, especially if you’re sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. To remedy this, experiment with different types of pills to find one that will provide you with the benefits of contraception without sacrificing your hair growth and quality.
You may also experience hair thinning post-pregnancy when hair growth levels drop dramatically. Fortunately, hair grows back in time with this type of hair loss.