How Often to Get a Haircut, by Hair Type and Style

Why the answer changes from person to person

Short cuts show growth quickly, because a little extra length changes their proportions. Long hair hides the same growth for months. Texture matters too: fine hair shows worn ends sooner, thick hair gets bulky and heavy, and curls shift shape as they grow. Even the way you wear your hair day to day changes how soon growth shows.

Your goal counts as well. Keeping a precise shape takes more frequent visits than letting a cut grow longer on purpose. The ranges below are common starting points, not rules, and your stylist may suggest something different once they see how your hair grows.

By cut

Use these as a first draft for your calendar. If your cut has a sharp detail, such as a blunt line, a short nape or an undercut, plan on the shorter end of the range.

Softer, textured shapes grow out more gracefully and can usually stretch a little. That's worth knowing if salon time is hard to find. Ask your stylist which group your cut really falls into, because a long bob behaves differently from a short one.

• Pixie and very short cuts: about every 4 to 6 weeks, since even a little growth softens the shape.
• Bobs and lobs: about every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the line crisp.
• Medium cuts with layers or a shag: about every 8 to 10 weeks.
• Long hair, one length or with long layers: about every 10 to 12 weeks, or a bit longer if your ends stay healthy.
• Bangs: a quick trim every few weeks between full cuts.

By hair type

Fine hair often looks fuller with small, regular trims, because wispy ends make the whole length look sparse. Thick hair can feel heavy, especially in humid months, and may need a visit to remove weight even when the length is fine. On long, fine hair, the ends are the oldest part and usually show wear first.

Curly and coily hair can often go longer between cuts, since curls hide uneven growth. The shape can still drift, and many curly cuts start to look triangular as they grow. Color-treated, relaxed or heat-styled hair wears faster at the ends, so trims may need to come a little sooner.

Signs you're due

Your calendar is only a guide. Your hair usually tells you first, and these are the most common signals.

• Styling takes noticeably longer than it used to.
• Ends look see-through, split or rough.
• Bangs fall into your eyes.
• A bob flips out at the shoulders or loses its line.
• Curls lose their shape or bunch at the bottom.
• Your ponytail looks thin at the tip.
• You're reaching for clips and ties more than usual.

Fitting cuts into a busy calendar

The easiest habit is booking your next cut before you leave the salon. Pick a date that matches your cut's range and add it to your work calendar right away. Many salons offer short bang trims between full cuts, which take only a few minutes.

Plan around your year as well. If you travel for work or have a big event coming, time your cut about a week ahead so it has settled. Salons tend to get busier during the winter season, roughly November to April, so book further out then. Many people also like a fresh cut before summer, when humidity makes heavy, overgrown hair harder to manage.

Ask your stylist to plan with you

A cut can be designed around your schedule. If you can only come in every three months, say so, and your stylist can shape it to grow out evenly. If you love a sharp shape and don't mind frequent visits, say that too, so the cut can be as precise as you like.

At each visit, check whether your timing still makes sense. Hair changes with the seasons, with color and styling habits and with age, and the right schedule can change along with it.

• When will this cut start to lose its shape?
• Can we cut it so it grows out without an awkward stage?
• Would a quick trim between visits help?

This guide is general information, not medical advice. For scalp, skin or hair-loss concerns, see a dermatologist.