How often should you get your hair cut?

As a general guide, a cut every six to eight weeks keeps most styles looking their best, but the right timing depends on your hair length, the style you wear, and the condition of your hair. Short, precise styles need more frequent trims to hold their shape, while longer hair can usually go a little longer between visits. The quickest way to find your rhythm is to notice when your style starts to lose its shape, and book before it does.

Quick answer: short styles every four to six weeks, mid-length hair every six to eight weeks, and long hair every eight to twelve weeks. If your hair is fine, damaged or growing out a fringe, lean towards the shorter end. Book your cut at our Maida Vale salon when your shape starts to soften.

How often to cut your hair, by length and style

Different styles grow out at different speeds, so there is no single rule that fits everyone.

• Short cuts and pixies. Every four to six weeks. Short shapes rely on clean lines, so even a little growth changes the look.
• Bobs and mid-length styles. Every six to eight weeks to keep the shape sharp and the ends healthy.
• Long hair. Every eight to twelve weeks. You are mainly protecting the ends from splitting rather than holding a shape.
• Fringes. Every three to four weeks for a trim, which many salons, including ours, will do between full cuts.

Rule of thumb: book your next cut before your style stops behaving, not after. Once you are fighting it every morning, it has usually been too long.

What happens if you leave it too long

When hair grows past its best shape, the ends begin to split and the style loses definition. Split ends travel up the hair shaft if left, which can mean more length comes off at your next visit than you wanted. Regular trims remove damage early, so your hair looks thicker and healthier and your style stays easy to manage. If you are growing your hair, small regular trims actually help you reach your goal with healthier ends, rather than slowing you down.

Good to know: a trim does not make hair grow faster, as growth happens at the root. What it does is keep the ends strong so less length breaks off, which is why well-trimmed hair looks like it grows better.

Keeping your cut looking good between visits

A good cut should grow out gracefully, and a few habits help it last. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner, protect your hair from heat when styling, and book a quick fringe trim if you have one. If you colour your hair, it is often convenient to time a trim alongside a colour appointment so your whole look stays fresh in one visit.

Local tip: our stylists in Maida Vale, including senior stylist Kris Neocleous, will suggest a realistic schedule for your hair and lifestyle, so you are not booking more often than you need to.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you get a trim to keep hair healthy?

Every six to eight weeks suits many people for healthy ends, though fine or damaged hair may benefit from a trim closer to every four to six weeks. The aim is to remove splits before they travel up the hair, which keeps your hair looking thick and your style holding its shape.

Does cutting your hair make it grow faster?

No. Hair grows from the root at a fairly steady rate, so a trim does not speed that up. What trimming does is stop split ends breaking off further up, so your hair keeps more of its length and looks healthier as it grows.

How often should you cut long hair?

Long hair usually needs a trim every eight to twelve weeks, mainly to protect the ends from splitting. If you heat style often or your ends feel dry, aim for the shorter end of that range to keep the hair in good condition.

How often should men get a haircut?

Shorter men's styles often need a cut every three to five weeks to stay sharp, while longer styles can go six to eight weeks. The faster a style loses its shape as it grows, the more often it benefits from a trim.

How often should you cut your hair if you are growing it out?

Every eight to ten weeks for a light trim. It feels counterintuitive, but removing a small amount of damaged ends keeps the hair strong, so you lose less length to breakage and reach your goal with healthier hair.

Book a cut in Maida Vale

If your style is starting to lose its shape, our team would be glad to help. See our hair cutting and styling services, read our guide to choosing a salon in Maida Vale, then book online or call the salon on 020 7289 2100.