4 Signs You Need A Hair Trim - Byrdie

Once you've decided that you're ready to grow your hair out, few things can deter you from reaching the finish line. Whether it's hot temperatures that leaves your head sweaty, the longer-than-usual styling time, or the fact that you're going through products at a speedier rate—nothing can stand in your way. We shouldn't even mention seeing a stylist to get your hair trimmed consistently, right? After all, it feels counterintuitive to take a scissor to your hair when your goal is to achieve length...

However, a trim isn't the same as a proper haircut. The purpose of a hair trim to keep your hair healthy by preventing split ends and damage that could ultimately lead to hair breakage and therefore, shorter hair that physically can't grow past a certain point. There's no reason to grow out your hair if it's going to look and feel damaged—right? Trimming your hair can actually help you achieve long, healthy hair when done regularly. So, we tapped three professional hairstylists to share their insights into trims, cuts, and hair growth.

Below, discover how often you really need a trim, the telltale signs that you need one, how to stretch out the time between your visits, and more.

Meet the Experts

• Owen Gould is a celebrity hairstylist in LA and a Garnier brand ambassador.
• Devin Toth is a hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City.
• Amy Abramite is a creative director, salon educator, and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

What Defines a Trim?

A trim typically involves removing only a small amount of hair at the ends, usually to maintain the current style or to get rid of split ends. "It's often done to keep the hair looking healthy and neat without making any significant changes to the length or overall shape of the hairstyle," says celebrity hairstylist Owen Gould. Furthermore, hairstylist Devin Toth says that trims are often done to maintain the shape of your previous haircut—not a drastic, huge change. For certain cuts with blunt ends or angles, someone might go as often as weekly to keep their style from looking messy or unstructured.

What Defines a Haircut?

Unlike a trim, a proper haircut involves snipping off more length once your previous cut has grown out. "It can involve cutting off a substantial amount of hair, creating layers, adding bangs, or even completely changing your hairstyle," explains Gould. "Haircuts are more transformative and can give you a new look or help you achieve a specific style." 

How Often Should You Get Your Hair Trimmed?

This time frame for how often on may need a trim can vary from person to person, depending on their hair style, texture, and regular maintenance. Hairstylist Amy Abramite explains: "If someone is heavy-handed on heat styling with a curling iron or receiving a high-lift color service, split ends can happen as quickly as four weeks. For others who naturally air-dry their hair and refrain from damaging beauty habits, 12 weeks is acceptable for a trim."

What Does a Hair Trim Cost?

The cost of a haircut—no matter how much length you're getting taken off—can range from $25 to $300 (or more). Even if you're just looking to have a small amount of hair taken off, a trim typically doesn't cost less than a more drastic haircut, as the stylist still has to spend the same amount of time and expertise to make sure they get the look right. Remember: What you pay is also based on the location, the stylist, the salon, and any add-ons you may get during your trim, like a blowout, color, or chemical treatment. If you have any questions regarding pricing, it's best to speak with a stylist prior to booking an appointment. That way you won't be surprised when it comes time to pay.

How to Prolong Your Style Between Trims

In addition to skipping regular trims, using the incorrect hair products can speed up hair damage, so make sure to use ones that can help you prolong your most recent cut with some simple steps. In fact, doing so can help keep you from going to the hair salon every six to eight weeks.

Using the right products for your hair type is a given, and this includes your shampoo and conditioner. Think about using moisturizing and sulfate-free products in the shower, like Love Beauty and Planet's Hope & Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. Post-shower, consider using a bond repair hair oil as a leave-in treatment—Olaplex's No.7 Bonding Oil or Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds Weightless Bonding Oil is ideal for strengthening tips. Lastly, regular deep conditioning can help prevent extreme dryness, which leads to split ends and, eventually, breakage. We love Christophe Robin's Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil, which works overtime to repair damage and revive dull hair color, Act+Acre Restorative Deep Conditioning Hair Mask to treat breakage, and Garnier's Whole Blends Honey Treasures Repair Mask, which harnesses the power of acacia honey and sustainably-sourced beeswax to nourish and seal in moisture.

Signs That Your Hair Needs a Trim

Stylists say that there are a couple of ways to tell if you're due for a hair trim, including the following: