How often to get a haircut
Trimming doesn't make hair grow faster: growth happens at the scalp. What regular trims do is remove split and damaged ends before they travel up the strand, so your hair looks healthier and fuller as it grows.
A rough guide
- Very short cuts and fades: every 2–4 weeks.
- Short styles, pixies and bobs: every 4–6 weeks to keep the shape.
- Fringes: every 3–5 weeks; many salons offer quick fringe trims between appointments.
- Medium length and layered hair: every 6–10 weeks.
- Long, healthy hair: every 8–12 weeks, taking off just the ends.
- Curly hair: every 8–12 weeks, or as soon as the ends start to tangle and lose definition.
- Bleached or heavily heat-styled hair: more often, because ends break sooner.
Growing your hair out
It sounds backwards, but small, regular trims usually help you reach a length goal faster than skipping cuts, because you lose less length to breakage. Ask for a "dusting": only the very tips, a few millimetres. Tell your hairdresser you are growing it so they don't take off more than you want.
Signs you are overdue
- Ends are split, white-tipped or feel rough.
- Hair tangles more than usual, especially at the bottom.
- Your style won't hold its shape or looks thin at the ends.
- Your fringe is in your eyes.
Keep reading: Face shapes · Short hair · Choosing a hairdresser
Last reviewed: November 2026