Fine, thick, or curly hair: How often do you really need to get it cut to make it grow faster?
Should we get a haircut often to keep it healthy? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. The ideal frequency varies depending on the texture, length, and condition of each person’s hair, and experts are clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all rule.
Haircut or Thinning: What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?
The terms “cut” and “thinning” are often used interchangeably, yet they refer to two very distinct techniques. Irinel de León, a celebrity hairstylist and global styling ambassador for Dyson, explains that thinning removes one to two centimeters from the ends, while a haircut involves removing more than two to three centimeters.
Hairstylist Laura Polko recommends thinning your hair as soon as you notice split ends or early signs of breakage. So, if your ends look dry or your hairstyle is losing its shape, a light trim is often all it takes.
On the other hand, according to de León, a full haircut is necessary when hair lacks body, tangles easily, or is severely damaged. Furthermore, if you want to change your style or add volume and movement, only a proper haircut can achieve that.
“It’s all relative. It depends on your hair texture, the condition of your hair, and how often you color or bleach it.” — Irinel de León
How often, depending on the length of your hair?
For short hair, the challenge may seem counterintuitive: the shorter the cut, the more frequent the maintenance. De León explains that a bob cut just below the ear can grow past the shoulders in six to eight weeks, completely changing the style. T Cooper, another celebrity hairstylist, confirms that a trim at least every six weeks is necessary to maintain the shape, especially around the temples and the nape of the neck.
For medium-length hair, the frequency depends on the texture and natural growth rate. De León recommends visiting the hairdresser every six to twelve weeks to maintain a clean length and healthy ends.
For long hair, Rodney Cutler, owner of Cutler Salons and Redken ambassador, tailors his recommendation to the condition of the hair. If you’re prone to split ends, schedule an appointment every eight to ten weeks. If your hair is strong, every ten to twelve weeks may be sufficient.
Adjust the frequency based on your hair texture
Fine hair tends to look damaged more quickly, even though it grows a little slower. Polko trims it as soon as it starts to look thin. De León, for his part, recommends a touch-up every four to six weeks for short, fine hair; every six to eight weeks for medium-length hair; and every eight to twelve weeks for long, fine hair.
Thick hair, on the other hand, is more resistant to heat and chemical treatments. Cutler and Polko agree that eight to twelve weeks between haircuts is appropriate, provided you keep an eye out for split ends.
For curly, wavy, or coily hair, T Cooper recommends regular touch-ups every six to eight weeks, regardless of length. She emphasizes that textured hair is naturally drier, and that neglecting damaged ends leads to inevitable length loss. De León adds that during the transition to natural hair, getting a trim every four weeks helps remove split ends and encourages the hair to regain its natural texture.
- Short hair: trim at least every six weeks
- Medium-length hair: thinning every six to twelve weeks
- Long hair: Trim the ends every eight to twelve weeks, depending on the condition of your hair
- Fine hair: more frequent use, starting at the first signs of brittleness
- Curly hair or hair in transition: every four to eight weeks
What should you do if your hair is severely damaged?
All experts agree on this point: when hair is severely damaged, cutting it becomes a necessity, not an option. Polko puts it plainly: if the hair has been bleached excessively or subjected to too much heat, simply thinning it out is no longer enough. In that case, you have to be willing to cut more off and let it grow back.
T Cooper acknowledges that many people are hesitant to cut a lot of length off all at once. She therefore recommends cutting off at least as much as feels comfortable, then following up with regular trims. She also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive routine: moisturizing treatments, nourishing masks, and regular visits to the hairdresser. “It’s a team effort,” she sums up.
Professional Hairdresser or DIY Haircut: What Really Makes the Difference
Most hairstylists strongly advise against cutting your own hair significantly. Carlyn Griscti, a New York hairstylist at Beauty Supply, explains that a professional can see angles that are invisible to you, thus ensuring a more balanced cut. De León also points out that when you cut your own hair, you risk missing split ends or ending up with uneven lengths.
The tools also make all the difference. Griscti points out that his Japanese steel scissors are maintained regularly, whereas conventional scissors have blades that are too dull to cut the hair cleanly. Blades that aren’t sharp enough damage the cuticle and, as a result, cause more split ends.
However, experts acknowledge that cutting your own hair may sometimes be necessary. In that case, de León recommends starting with a small trim of the bangs, working on dry hair, taking your time, and always cutting less than you initially planned. This way, you can make adjustments gradually without risking cutting off too much.
Finally, hair care between visits to the salon is just as important as the haircut itself. T Cooper points out that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. She therefore recommends scalp scrubs, protein treatments, and moisturizing shampoos. De León also advises minimizing heat damage by choosing the right tools when using heat styling. Skipping regular touch-ups, on the other hand, leads to increasingly dry ends, reduced volume, and breakage that progresses along the hair shaft—a process that no product can reverse.
