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

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

Regularly trimming or cutting your hair comes with many benefits. De León says that it can improve hair growth, create natural thickness, prevent hair from over drying or breaking off, and keep hair healthy overall. So you want to be sure you’re making your salon trips at the right time. To figure out how often you should be cutting your own hair, here are the basics that you need to know:

Hair Trim vs. Dusting vs. Cut

Though we often interchange the words “trim” and “cut” when talking about hair, they do mean different things. A trim, as De León explains, is when an inch or two is taken off at the ends, while a cut is a bit more drastic, with more than two to three inches being chopped off. They’re also used for different circumstances.

She goes on to add that when your hair is looking limp, not holding any style, tangling easily, or appears to have severe damage, you’ll want a cut. Also, if you’re just looking for a change in style or want to add movement and body to your hair, she says that a cut is necessary to achieve either of those things.

Signs That You Need a Hair Trim

There are a few obvious signs that it’s time to book that hair appointment. Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and House of Frieda expert, says that a trim is best for getting rid of split ends and for when you’re starting to notice breakage. If you notice your hair looking more dry or starting to lose its shape, you’ll also want a trim to revive it all.

When to Trim Based on Length…

Short Hair

While it sounds counterintuitive, the truth is that the shorter the hair, the more upkeep is needed to keep it healthy. “Short hair takes a bit more maintenance because of its length, shape, and personal preference,” says De León. “For example, when someone has a bob that sits right below the ear, it will be more obvious when the hair grows because it can easily pass the shoulders after six to eight weeks, and it will completely change the style.”

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