How often should you really get your hair cut?

It's one of the questions we hear most in the salon: "How often should I really be getting this cut?" You'll find all sorts of rules online — every six weeks, every eight, every twelve — but the honest answer is that it depends on your hair, your style and what you want from it. So instead of one magic number, here's how we'd think it through with you.

The "every six to eight weeks" rule — and when it doesn't apply

The old six-to-eight-week guideline came from a time when sharp, structured cuts were the norm, and for plenty of people it's still a good rhythm. But it's a starting point, not a law. If you're growing your hair out, or your style is soft and lived-in, you can comfortably go longer. If you've a precise short cut or a fringe, you'll likely want to come in sooner. The right number is the one that keeps your hair looking the way you like it between visits.

A rough guide by style

Every head of hair is different, but as a general steer:

• Short cuts and pixie styles: roughly every four to six weeks. Short shapes lose their crispness quickly, so regular trims keep them looking intentional rather than grown-out.
• Bobs and structured mid-length cuts: around every six to eight weeks to hold the line and shape.
• Longer hair you're maintaining: often every eight to twelve weeks — enough to keep the ends healthy without losing length.
• Longer hair you're growing out: a small "dusting" of the ends every ten to twelve weeks. Counter-intuitive as it sounds, regular tiny trims help length look better, not worse.
• Fringes: these grow into your eyes fastest of all. Many people pop in for a quick fringe trim between full appointments — just ask us.

Trimming the ends doesn't make your hair grow faster — but it does keep it looking healthy while it grows.

Does trimming really help your hair grow?

Let's clear up the big myth. Your hair grows from the root, not the ends, so a trim doesn't speed up growth. What it does do is stop split ends in their tracks. Left alone, a split travels up the hair shaft and the end frays and snaps — so hair that's never trimmed can actually look like it's getting no longer, because it's breaking off as fast as it grows. A regular tidy-up keeps the ends strong, which is why well-maintained long hair looks so much healthier.

If you colour your hair

Coloured and highlighted hair asks a little more of your ends, so staying on top of trims matters even more — healthy ends hold colour and shine far better. It's also worth thinking about how your cuts and colour appointments line up, so you're not making extra trips. We're always happy to plan that out with you. You can see the full range of cuts, colour and treatments on our salon services page, and we'll suggest a rhythm that suits both your cut and your colour.

Signs it's time, whatever the calendar says

Dates are handy, but your hair will usually tell you when it's ready. Book a trim if you notice any of these:

• The ends feel dry, rough or straw-like, or you can see them splitting.
• Your style has lost its shape and won't sit the way it used to.
• It's harder to style, or takes longer to blow-dry than it should.
• A fringe or shorter layers are creeping into your eyeline.

Gents and children

Short gents' cuts and skin fades tend to need the most regular upkeep — often every three to five weeks to stay sharp. Children vary completely: some need a tidy a few times a year, others more often, and there's no need to stick to a schedule if their hair's happy as it is. Whatever the family, we'll give you an honest view rather than booking you in more than you need.

The simplest way to know

If you're still not sure, just ask us at your next visit. We'll look at your hair, how you wear it and how it's wearing between appointments, and suggest a realistic rhythm — one that keeps your hair looking its best without you living in the salon chair. There's no one-size-fits-all number, and we'd never want you coming in more often than your hair actually needs.