How Often Should You Get a Haircut? (Your Complete Guide)
When it comes to keeping your hair looking its best, timing is everything. Whether you prefer a crisp fade, a layered bob, or long, flowing locks, knowing how often to get a haircut makes all the difference between maintaining your style and watching it grow out of control.
At Maliha Salon & Barber, we've created this comprehensive guide to help you determine the perfect haircut schedule for your specific style and hair goals.
The Right Schedule for Every Hair Length
Short Hair: Maintaining Precision
Recommended: Every 1 to 4 weeks
Short hairstyles like fades, buzz cuts, and cropped styles require regular upkeep to maintain their sharp, defined appearance. With short hair, growth becomes noticeable much faster:
Skin fades or high-contrast cuts: Every 1-2 weeks for that fresh-from-the-barber look
Classic short cuts: Every 3-4 weeks to maintain shape and style
Pixie cuts: Every 4 weeks to keep the neckline clean and prevent bulkiness
The investment in regular maintenance pays off with consistently polished, intentional-looking short styles that frame your face perfectly.
Specialty Cuts: Preserving the Edge
Recommended: Every 2 to 4 weeks
Unique styles like mullets, undercuts, shags, and highly structured cuts require consistent attention:
Undercuts and disconnected styles: Every 2-3 weeks to maintain the contrast between lengths
Mullets and modern shags: Every 3-4 weeks to preserve the intentional shape
Asymmetrical cuts: Every 3-4 weeks to keep the lines precise
These statement-making styles can quickly lose their impact as they grow, so regular appointments ensure your look stays deliberately edgy rather than simply grown-out.
Medium-Length Hair: Balanced Maintenance
Recommended: Every 6 to 8 weeks
Medium styles—bobs, lobs, shoulder-length cuts, and layered styles—offer more flexibility while still requiring regular care:
Blunt bobs: Every 6 weeks to maintain that clean, precise line
Layered mid-length cuts: Every 7-8 weeks to refresh shape and movement
Curly medium styles: Every 8 weeks to prevent heaviness and maintain bounce
At this length, your hair needs maintenance to keep its shape and healthy ends, but you can enjoy a bit more time between salon visits.
Long Hair: Strategic Trims
Recommended: Every 8 to 12 weeks
Long hair looks beautiful but requires thoughtful maintenance to stay healthy:
Long layers: Every 8-10 weeks to refresh movement and prevent split ends
One-length long hair: Every 10-12 weeks to keep ends clean and prevent breakage
Curly or textured long hair: Every 12 weeks to maintain shape and remove damaged ends
Even if you're growing it out, regular trims will keep your hair healthy, full, and free of breakage. A little trim now saves you from a big chop later when damage becomes severe.
Growing Your Hair Out
Recommended: Every 10 to 12 weeks
It's tempting to avoid scissors altogether when gaining length is your goal, but regular maintenance is crucial:
Tiny "micro-trims" (Quarter of an inch or less) prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft
Regular trims actually help you retain length by preventing breakage
Without trims, you'll eventually need to cut more length to eliminate accumulated damage
These minimal trims keep your hair healthy during the growing process without sacrificing your length goals.
Colour-Treated Hair
Recommended: Every 6 to 8 weeks
Colour-treated hair often benefits from slightly more frequent trims:
Regular trims prevent damage and breakage in chemically processed hair
Fresh cuts keep color-treated ends from appearing dry or faded
Aligning your trim schedule with your color appointments creates efficiency
Barber vs. Hairdresser: Does It Matter?
The difference often comes down to specialization and technique:
Barbers typically focus on shorter styles, fades, and traditional cuts requiring more frequent maintenance
Hairdressers often specialize in longer cuts, layering techniques, and styles allowing more time between appointments
At Maliha Salon & Barber, we offer both services under one roof, ensuring you receive exactly the expertise your particular style needs.
Listen to Your Hair
Beyond general guidelines, your hair will tell you when it needs attention:
Visual cues: Split ends, uneven shape, or loss of style definition
Tactile signs: Hair feeling heavier, tangling more easily, or looking flat
Styling challenges: Taking longer to style or requiring more product than usual
These signals often indicate it's time for a trim, regardless of when your last appointment was.
The Bottom Line
Regular haircuts aren't just about maintaining style—they're an investment in your hair's health. Trimming away damaged ends prevents problems from spreading and keeps your hair looking its best every day.
Ready for your next cut? Book an appointment with us today and let our expert team at Maliha Salon & Barber keep your hair looking its absolute best!
Special note: Throughout May 2025, enjoy 10% OFF all our professional treatments while you're in for your haircut!