How Often Should You Really Get a Haircut?

“Every six to eight weeks” is the answer you’ll hear most often, and it’s a decent general rule – but the honest truth is that the right frequency for you depends on your hair type, your goals, and what you’re trying to maintain. Here’s how I actually think about it with clients.

If You’re Growing Your Hair Out

You still need trims. I know that feels counterintuitive, but regular trims (every 10-12 weeks is often plenty here) remove split ends before they travel up the hair shaft and cause more damage. Skipping cuts entirely to “grow it faster” usually backfires: hair grows from the root regardless, and the ends just get more damaged and prone to breakage, which can make hair look thinner and less healthy overall, even as it gets longer.

If You Have a Precision Cut or Bob

Shorter, structured cuts grow out more noticeably than longer layered styles. If your style depends on clean lines, plan for a trim every 4-6 weeks to keep the shape sharp.

If You Have Layers or a More Textured Cut

These styles tend to be more forgiving as they grow out, so you can often stretch to 8-10 weeks between cuts without losing the shape.

If You Color Your Hair Regularly

Hair that’s regularly lightened or chemically processed is more prone to dryness and breakage, so more frequent trims (every 6-8 weeks) help keep those ends looking healthy rather than straw-like.

If You Have Extensions

Your cut schedule may be tied more closely to your extension maintenance appointments, since we’re often blending your natural hair with the extension hair for a seamless look at each visit.

Signs You’re Overdue, Regardless of the “Rule”

• Split ends you can see or feel
• Hair that feels thinner at the ends than at the root
• A style that’s lost its shape and won’t cooperate no matter how you style it
• Noticeably slower-feeling hair growth (damaged ends can make hair seem like it’s not growing, when really it’s just breaking off)

The Real Answer

There’s no universal number that’s right for everyone. The best approach is finding a stylist who gets to know your hair over time and can tell you honestly when it’s time to come in – not just push you onto a generic schedule. That kind of judgment comes with experience, and after more than 30 years behind the chair, reading a client’s hair and history is second nature to me. Many of my clients have been coming to me for years, which means I often know their hair’s habits and needs better than they do – that long-term relationship is where the real magic happens.

If it’s been a while (be honest with yourself here), let’s get you back in the chair and get your hair back to its healthiest, best-looking self.