This Is How Often You Should Really Be Getting A Haircut

We all want thick, luscious locks, but is it better to just leave your hair growing for months on end, or cut it more frequently to keep it healthy and fresh? As with the many differing opinions on how often hair needs to be washed, when we need to cut it is just as much of a minefield.

From sleeping on a silk pillowcase to showering in warm (rather than scalding) water, there are lots of ways to encourage hair to grow quicker and healthier. Getting regular cuts might not even be the most important element. Besides, like anything else, it's often a personal preference. 

According to celebrity hairstylist Angela C. Styles, who spoke to Seventeen, how often you need to visit the hairdresser depends on the texture of your hair and the style of your preferred haircut. If you have non-textured hair, you'll need to cut it more frequently. Those with textured hair, meanwhile, should aim for every 2 to 3 months.

However, Styles notes, "Most people should cut their hair every 6-10 weeks," regardless of what shape their hair is in. Also, if you're looking to maintain a certain length or style your bangs to match, you should go every 3 to 4 weeks.

If your hair is damaged or you're getting frequent chemical treatments done (for example, bleaching), you'll need to go in every eight weeks, according to celebrity stylist Creighton Bowman. Bowman, who spoke to Byrdie, has chopped the tresses of everyone from Kate Beckinsale to Elizabeth Olsen, so he definitely knows his stuff. 

As for whether cutting your hair more often makes it grow faster, Styles notes this is a common myth that isn't necessarily true. However, it is good for growing out your hair in general. "Cutting your hair makes it grow healthier because it removes the hair that would split," she explained. "The hair at the root is able to grow and you're able to maintain length and avoid splitting. If you allow split ends to stay on the strand, the hair will continue to split and you'll never see the length."

In other words, regular trims help preserve long hair, but they don't necessarily make hair grow faster. Regardless, Styles emphatically stated you absolutely should not go more than six months without cutting your hair, so be warned. 

Whatever your style, how often you go to the hairdresser all really depends on you. As celeb stylist Paul Norton told Byrdie, "Two key factors when wondering [if it's] time for a cut are as basic as this: 1) Can you no longer achieve the styles you desire? And 2) are the ends of your hair visibly damaged? When you start to approach the three-, eight-, or 12-week mark, ask yourself those questions. If you answer yes to either one, head to the salon."