How Often Should Men Get a Trim to Keep Their Hair Healthy?

If you can't remember the last time you visited your barber, you've probably run to the internet to suss out how long is okay to go without getting the chop – which is exactly what we're going to talk about here.

There isn't really a straight, single answer on how often men should get a haircut, but there's a general consensus that we all seem to follow and a few tell-tale signs that your trim could do with, well, a trim.

Aside from keeping your hair looking tidy, getting fairly regular haircuts is also important for the health of your hair, which we'll delve into a little later.

Depending on your current hairstyle, you should be looking at visiting your barber anywhere from every 2 to 6 weeks. Now, that's a pretty big range, and it really depends on your own personal preference and the type of cut you have.

If you have shorter hair and prefer to keep it that way, you'll need to get your hair cut more frequently.

Buzzcuts will require some of the most maintenance and will likely need to be trimmed every 2-3 weeks to keep them looking sharp. Shorter styles, such as a crew cut or a textured crop, can go 3 to 4 weeks before needing a trim.

For those with medium-length hair, you have a bit more flexibility in terms of how often you'll need to get a trim.

Generally, a haircut every 4-6 weeks will be good to maintain the shape and style of your hair. This is especially important if you have layers or a specific haircut, as it will help prevent your hair from looking unkempt and losing its shape.

For those with long hair, or if you're aiming to grow out your hair, every 6 weeks is a good rule of thumb for getting a trim. It might seem counteractive to cut your hair if you want to keep growing it, but it can soon become messy-looking and damaged if left untrimmed.

A quick ½ or 1-inch chop off the ends will help to remove any split ends and keep your hair healthy as it grows.

These time frames are really just guides (although we generally wouldn't wait any longer than 6 weeks max), and there are other factors that come into play when determining how often you should get your hair cut. 

Things like your hairstyle, lifestyle, and hair growth are all big ones to think about when scheduling your appointments.

Number one on the list is how fast your hair grows, and a pretty obvious one at that. If your head sprouts hair like no tomorrow, you'll likely need to get it cut more frequently than someone with a slower-growing barnet, especially if you want to maintain your current hairstyle.

On average, hair grows between 0.5 and 1.7 centimetres per month (MNT), which translates to roughly 0.2 to 0.7 inches. Depending on things like genetics and overall health, some people may have hair that grows even faster or slower than the average.

A bit like we've discussed above, your hairstyle and length will also play a major role in how often you need to visit the salon.

If you have a short haircut, like a buzzcut or fade, and you want to maintain that style, you'll need to get it cut more often. If you have a longer hairstyle or you're trying to grow it out, you may be able to stretch the time between haircuts a bit longer.

If you live a busy life and can't find regular time to squeeze in a salon or barber visit, you may just have to do with what you can manage. That might mean sometimes waiting 2 weeks for a haircut or stretching it out to 5 to fit around your schedule. 

On the other hand, if you're someone who enjoys the experience of getting a haircut and likes to keep your hair looking fresh, you may want to visit the salon more frequently.

It's your head of hair, after all, so it's important to find a routine and schedule that works for you.

Not everyone has the time or patience to tend to their mop of hair every morning, so consider whether you might benefit from a shorter hairstyle to reduce the amount of time you need to spend on it.

Conversely, if you enjoy experimenting with different hairstyles and taking the time to perfect your look, a longer hairstyle may be more suitable for you. In this case, you may want to get less frequent trims to allow your hair to grow out more.

Hair type is another important factor to consider when deciding on the frequency of salon visits.

Men with fine or thin hair may find that they don't need to visit the salon as often, whereas thick, coarser hair needs a bit more maintenance so it doesn't become unruly or unmanageable. Getting layers put in can also help with this, as it'll reduce the weight and thickness of the hair.

Getting your hair cut on a regular basis does do more than just maintain the length and style.

By snipping away the ends of your hair, you're removing any existing or potential split ends which can make hair look and feel damaged. 

In fact, split ends are one of the biggest causes of frizziness because the damaged hair breaks more easily and creates flyaways. These hairs are also at risk of breaking off, which can lead to thinner and uneven hair.

But cutting your hair alone will not make it healthier; it's only a small part of a larger hair care routine. To truly improve the health of your hair, you need to combine regular trims with proper nourishment and care.

Use high-quality hair products to cleanse your locks, and use gentle styling products that won't strip your hair of moisture or leave it full of product build-up. 

Your diet and lifestyle habits are also important, with nutrients like protein, biotin, and vitamins A, C, and E essential for healthy hair growth.

A big misconception in the hair world is that getting frequent trims will make your hair grow faster.

In reality, trimming your hair doesn’t affect the rate at which your hair grows from your scalp. Hair growth occurs at the root level, so it has nothing to do with the ends of your hair.

That being said, regular haircuts will do your hair more good than harm, so it's still important to get them.

In short, you ideally shouldn't leave it any longer than 6 weeks in between haircuts. If you're maintaining a specific style, you should schedule your appointments accordingly to keep your hair looking fresh, but keeping your hair healthy doesn't necessarily require a strict schedule.

Create a hair care routine that works for you and your hair type – from the products you use to the frequency of your trims.

Read more men's hair care tips and advice on our blog.