How Often Should You Cut Your Hair? Vogue Asks the Pros

It turns out there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when asking the simple question, “How often should I get my hair cut?” It really depends on your own hair and specific hair needs. “It’s all relative,” says Irinel de León, celebrity hairstylist and global ambassador for Dyson Beauty. “It all depends on your hair texture, the integrity of your hair, and how often you color or double-process it.”

There are many benefits to having your hair trimmed or cut regularly. De León says it promotes hair growth, creates natural thickness, prevents excessive dryness or breakage, and maintains overall hair health. Therefore, you need to make sure you take your salon trip at the right time. To determine how often you should get a haircut, you need to know these basics:

Trim, dust, and cut hair

Although we often interchange the words “trimmed” and “trimmed” when talking about hair, they do mean different things. As DeLeon explains, a trim involves cutting off an inch or two at the end, while a trim is more drastic, cutting off more than two to three inches. They are also used in different situations.

She goes on to add that you need a haircut when your hair looks limp, doesn’t have any styling, gets tangled easily or looks severely damaged. Additionally, if you’re simply looking to change up your style or want to add movement and beauty to your hair, she says a haircut is necessary to achieve those goals.

Signs You Need a Hair Trim

There are some telltale signs that it’s time to book a hair appointment. Celebrity hairstylist and House of Frieda expert Laura Polko says trimming is best for getting rid of split ends and when you start to notice breakage. If you notice that your hair is looking drier or starting to lose its shape, you may also want to give it a trim to rejuvenate it.

When to trim based on length…

short hair

While it may sound counterintuitive, the reality is that the shorter your hair, the more maintenance it requires to stay healthy. “Short hair requires more maintenance due to its length, shape and personal preference,” says de Leon. “For example, when someone has a bob right below the ears, this will be more noticeable as the hair grows out because after six to eight weeks it can easily pass over the shoulders, which will completely change the style.”

“Shorter hairstyles often require more frequent trims to maintain their shape and style,” adds celebrity hairstylist T. Cooper. “If you have a pixie cut [for example]may require more frequent trimming to maintain the shape of the sideburns and nape. “