How Often Should You Cut Your Hair?

Knowing how often to cut your hair has a lot to do with your hair goals and the chemical processes you put your hair through on a regular basis. This guide should help you set up your own haircut schedule, without making you want to pull your hair out.

It's important to know that hair grows on an average of one half inch every four weeks. Of course, some people's hair grows a little faster and some grows a little slower.

Long Hair
If your hair is long, and you want to keep it long, it is very important to get regular haircuts in order to keep your long hair healthy looking. Long hair is very old. Like anything that ages, the older your hair gets, the more fragile it is. Long hair is typically more susceptible to breakage, split ends, and to appearing thinner. If you color or highlight your long hair, it is even more likely to have damage. Regular haircuts will help keep your hair strong and healthy.

Long hair should be trimmed at least every 8 to 12 weeks.

If you notice more breakage or split ends, it could be cut as frequently as every 6 to 8 weeks. Be specific with your hair stylist when you're getting your haircut. If you'd like your hair to grow longer, ask your stylist to trim a half an inch or less off the ends. If you'd like your hair to stay the same length, you'll want to ask her to trim more off the ends. Remember, hair grows one half inch per four weeks. Take that into consideration when talking to your stylist about how much hair to cut off.

Medium Length Hair
The same rules generally apply for medium length hair as they do for long hair. Regular haircuts at 6 to 12 week intervals are very important to keep your hair healthy in appearance. If you like the length of your hair, a trim every 6-8 weeks will keep your hair at your preferred length. If you are growing your hair out, opt for a trim every 8 to 12 weeks instead.

Short Hair
Short hair, especially if you want to keep your short style, will need a haircut more frequently in order to remain fresh. If you have short hair, you already know that it appears to be grown out quickly.

Short hair should be trimmed every 4 to 8 weeks to keep the shape of your haircut fresh. As previously mentioned, if you are trying to grow your hair out, you will want to consider haircuts every 6 to 12 weeks.

Chemically Processed Hair
If you color, highlight, perm, or chemically straighten your hair on a regular basis, you may notice that your hair needs trimmed more frequently. Chemical processes can cause hair to break, split, or become very dry. More frequent haircuts may help prevent over-drying and breakage.

Growing Your Hair Out
Many people make the mistake of not getting their hair cut regularly when trying to grow their hair out. It's also a common myth that regular haircuts will make your hair grow out faster. Let me set the record straight. Regular haircuts do not make your hair grow faster. Rather, regular trims will prevent your hair from breakage and split ends that will make your hair appear to grow slower. The most important aspect in growing your hair out is to communicate with your hair stylist and have the ends of your hair trimmed slightly at regular intervals. This will minimize hair breakage, and maximize your growth potential! Check out these great tips for growing your hair out.

By Kendra Aarhus

Women's Hairstyles Expert