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When Should You Need A Hair Trim?

One of the last things anyone seeking to grow their hair longer wants to hear is that they need to trim or clip their ends. It negates the purpose of having long hair, doesn’t it? While the initial treatment might be unpleasant and frustrating, by removing old ends that are no longer contributing to your style, you create room for healthier, stronger hair.

Are you still not convinced? Consider this: is it preferable to have long hair with split ends or shorter hair that is healthy all over?

These four symptoms that you need a haircut may come in handy the next time you’re hesitant to lose any valuable inches. Continue reading to find out how to detect when you need a hair trim, as well as some expert-approved recommendations for extending the life of your haircut.

GET TO KNOW THE EXPERT

Devin Toth is a New York City hairdresser at Salon SCK.
Amy Abramite is the creative director, salon instructor, and stylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon.

What Is the Difference Between a Trim and a Haircut?

As much as we wish for one, there is no magic treatment for repairing broken ends. You can only delay the inevitable, which is a trim or cut. While there are solutions on the market that can temporarily hold your ends together, the longer you wait to get rid of these ugly ends, the more likely split ends can turn into split hair strands that are much more damaged.

Examine your hair’s ends; splits are simple to notice. A split end resembles a single hair strand that is unbroken all the way to the end: two independent strands of hair at the bottom of the hair shaft, sticking apart from one another, making a V shape.

Devin Toth believes there is a visual indication that tells you it’s time to see your stylist when it’s time for a haircut. “The short answer is that you only need a full-fledged haircut when your prior cut has grown out. In other words, when your prior cut has lost its form or has grown much too long.” Toth, on the other hand, claims “When you ask your hairdresser for a trim, you are requesting a maintenance cut.

You want to keep the contour and length of your prior haircut. However, because hair grows roughly half an inch every month, the average customer must cut a full inch off every two months in order to keep a hairdo.”

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Signs You Need a Haircut

“Split ends or dry ends are physical indicators that a trim is necessary,” explains Amy Abramite. “The cuticle will seem broken and will feel harsh to the touch; it will be difficult to comb through and will tangle easily.”

Another physical characteristic to look for is hair ends that are lighter in color than the rest of the hair. This is caused to wear and tear from heat style, environmental variables like as sun exposure, or chemical treatments such as highlighting, according to Abramite.

Deep conditioning on a regular basis can help avoid excessive dryness, which leads to split ends and, finally, breaking.

You can usually tell if your hair is damaged because it:

  • ​Lack of pliability
  • are very permeable
  • With easy, break off
  • Are crunchy and tough

If you’ve been a victim of harmful habits that have damaged your hair, there’s typically little you can do but start over with a trim or cut.

By the way, if you discover yourself accidentally plucking at your ends without realizing it, you should definitely have those ends trimmed off by a professional, advises Toth. “If your hair is readily tangled in your brush or fingers, your ends are definitely split and need to be trimmed.”

Let’s check: How To Choose The Best Haircut For Your Face Shape?

How Long Can You Go Without Trimming?

Your hair may be in good condition, but you’ve realized that your style isn’t as current as it once was. You have a lot of flyaway strands or you have to spend extra time getting your ‘do exactly perfect. Another clue that it’s time for a haircut. The longer your hair grows, the more it becomes dragged down by its own weight.

While this is great news for anybody who likes her hair to fall smoothly, it’s not so great if you favour gravity-defying haircuts with embellishments like flipped bangs and jagged layers. Make frequent trim sessions with your hairdresser to keep your ‘do look fresh.

“In general, a trim is the removal of the ends to preserve the hair in good condition,” Abramite explains. “This time range varies based on the individual’s beauty routine. Split ends can appear as soon as four weeks after excessive heat style with a curling iron or obtaining a high lift colour session. For those who naturally air-dry their hair and refrain from harmful beauty practices, 12 weeks is suitable for a trim.”

How to Extend Your Haircut

Rather than getting your hair cut every six to eight weeks, you can extend the life of your most recent cut with a few simple steps. Using the correct products for your hair type, including shampoo and conditioner, is a given.

Consider including a keratin-infused sulfate-free shampoo, such as Moroccanoil’s Moisture Repair Shampoo ($26), and a strengthening conditioner, such as Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector ($28), into your routine. Furthermore, as hairdresser Tina Dizon explains, avoiding tight hairstyles is a sure method to reduce breakage and extend the life of a haircut.

“The tighter the style, the more probable it is that you will pull or damage the hair at the root.” Similarly, if your hair is damp, do not pick it up.