How often should you cut your hair to keep it healthy?

It’s more often than you’d think...

haircut
(Image credit: Getty Images)

It’s more often than you’d think...

Hands up who regularly goes to the hairdresser to get their hair cut? If we're being totally honest, most of us don't don't really know the answer to how often you should cut your hair.

We all know how often we need to wash our hair (which depends on your hair type FYI, in case you were hoping for a one-fits-all answer).

But when life takes over, actually getting it cut tends to fall quite low down on the old to-do list.

When we do finally get down to the salon, we're often reprimanded with a 'you need to get it done every six weeks, tut tut.' But is that really the case?

According to A-list hairdresser and Blade Hairclub founder Julia Olofsson, much like the hair washing situation it really does depend on your hairstyle and the length of your hair.

How much should you cut off your hair?

how often should you cut your hair

(Image credit: REX/Shutterstock)

For long hair, Julia recommends cutting off about a half of an inch every 10 weeks. That way you still keep about an inch of growth, while getting rid of thinning, fragile, worn out and split ends.

The same maintenance interval applies to your layers in order to keep them bouncy and light and the style fresh and sharp.

For short hair, like pixie cuts or crops, the haircut shape and texture will grow out and need re-doing in four to six weeks, or six to eight weeks for medium length hair.

Why? This is because short hairstyles tend to lose their shape quicker, so you need to keep on top of it more in order to sustain the overall look.

If you're got curly hair, then you only need to go once or twice a year, as curly hair does 'shrink' when cut.

So there you have it. Now you can cross it from your to-do list without feeling too guilty.

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