How Often Should You Cut Your Hair? Stylists Set the Record Straight

While “How often should you cut your hair?” is one of the most consistently asked hair care questions, there is, unfortunately, no straight answer. It largely depends on your unique hair type, style, and overall hair goals. That said, there is at least one universal hair care rule when it comes to haircuts: Regular trims—however you define that—are essential for over all hair health.

“Regular haircuts are important for removing split ends and preventing them from traveling up the hair shaft, which can lead to further damage and breakage,” Min Kim, celebrity colorist and L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador, tells Glamour. “If you don’t cut your hair regularly, split ends can worsen, resulting in dull-looking hair that’s prone to breakage.”

This rule applies whether you want to grow your hair longer or chop it into a bob. According to Kim, trimming also helps to maintain the hair’s shape and manageability. “It may even help your hair grow too!”

It’s also wise to have a hair pro to check on your hair and scalp more often than not, says Shelly Aguirre, a hairstylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon. “When getting haircuts, your stylist can look at your overall hair and scalp health from an angle that you’re not able to see,” she points out. “You may have buildup on your hair or scalp that you’re not even aware of.”

In conclusion, consistent haircuts are worth it. Keep reading for everything to know about setting—and adhering to—a haircut schedule, according to your hair type, style, and needs. Before you know it, you’ll never have to Google “How often should you cut your hair?” again!

How often should you cut your hair when growing it out?

If you’re growing your hair out or not maintaining a specific style, Kim says that getting a trim every eight to twelve weeks is sufficient. “This helps to keep the ends healthy, prevent split ends, and maintain overall hair health,” she explains, and Aguirre agrees.

“When a client tells me they want to grow their hair so they just won’t get it cut for six to eight months, that is actually counterproductive,” Aguirre says. “To grow hair out, I recommend haircuts every three months. This allows that hair to grow without sacrificing the shape and keeps those split ends under control.”

TL;DR: Every eight to twelve weeks.

How often should you cut your hair to maintain a specific style?

“For maintaining a specific style, it’s it’s generally recommended to schedule a haircut with your stylist every six to eight weeks to keep the shape and length intact,” says Kim. This is especially helpful if you have very layered hair or a bob haircut that needs to fall somewhere specific.

That said, it’s also up to your personal preference. “I do have clients that like their hair cut every four weeks to keep it looking sharp, so ultimately it depends on what your hair goals are,” says Aguirre.