When To Cut?
Hey my beauties! I’ve had some really great conversations lately with clients, three to be exact, about when and why they should trim/cut their hair. I’ll be using the word “cut” for the rest of this blog but it applies to either one that what works best for you. Most clients are confused as to how often they should get their hair cut, the industry standard is every 6-8 weeks. For some it might be more frequent, for others not so much. However, it should absolutely be MORE THAN once or twice a year. I already know what you’re going to say, “But Rachel that means I’m always cutting of my new growth!” That’s simply not true. When you keep a consistent regimen of getting your ends cut you’re keeping your hair uniformed and crisp from roots to ends. Much like getting treatments for your hair, you don’t want to wait until it LOOKS like you need a cut to get one. Getting consistent cuts helps to reduce tangling, excessive heat styling because your hair can’t hold a curl and it most certainly helps with reducing breakage from split ends that will travel up the hair shaft.
Will you ever get to a point where you will no longer need a cut? The answer is absolutely not! You will always need a cut to maintain your hair. You are not necessarily doing anything wrong because you need a cut. I would say if you need a cut more frequently, then that can be an indication that there’s something that needs to be checked regarding your nightly maintanence, medications, or heat styling that’s causing the frequency of cuts needed. Outside of those scenarios, it is best to keep to the 6-8 week schedule, unless instructed otherwise.
“So if I’m doing nothing wrong why do I need a cut at all?” I usually give my clients the analogy of a flag on a pole. The part of the flag that flicks back and forth in the wind tends to have tattered edges, while the part that’s closest to the pole remains pretty solid. The same goes for your hair, your ends are usually the part that’s “catching air” and is exposed to purse straps, seatbelts, constant brushing/combing, rubbing against scratchy materials usually worn in the winter, etc. So as a result, your ends will need a little more tlc than the rest of your tresses. This doesn’t mean that you should obessess about living life, it does mean that you should live your life and add to it a regualrly scheduled hair cut with a beauty professional you know and trust.
I know that there are some scissor happy stylist that are out there, I have some as friends! However I will say that a consultation is best. Don’t be afraid to ask a stylist to show you where they would cut before they start cutting. Ask for a best and worst case scenario as it pertains to how much is suggested for the cut. Be sure to express concerns and anxieties upfront. Lastly, if you’re not willing to cut where it is necessary, be sure to ask the stylist what is a good game plan to get your hair to it’s healthiest place and be willing to invest in that journey! It will take time and money to get there if you’re not willing to cut what’s necessary. Sound off in the comments below and let me know if this was helpful and if you had any aha moments. Until next time…SMOOCHES!!!
-Rachel