One of the most common questions clients ask is how often they actually need a haircut. The honest answer depends on your hair type, your current length, your goals, and whether your hair is color-treated. There's no single rule that works for everyone — but there are clear patterns worth knowing.
Not sure where to start? Book a trim or consultation or explore our cuts menu.
Why Trim Frequency Affects Hair Health
Haircuts don't make your hair grow faster — but they do remove the damage that slows progress. Split ends don't stay put. Left untreated, they travel up the hair shaft, causing breakage higher up and making hair look and feel thinner over time.
Regular trims:
- Remove split ends before they break further
- Keep the shape clean so hair styles more easily
- Reduce tangles and frizz caused by frayed ends
- Help color-treated hair look fresher between appointments
How often you need this depends on your hair's condition and what you're trying to achieve.
General Guidelines by Hair Type
Fine Hair: Every 6–8 Weeks
Fine hair is more prone to breakage and split ends, and dull ends are more visible on fine strands. A trim every 6 to 8 weeks keeps the shape sharp and prevents ends from thinning out. If your ends look flat or sparse, that's usually a sign the trim is overdue.
Thick Hair: Every 8–12 Weeks
Thick hair is more forgiving between appointments, but it can grow heavy and lose its shape quickly. Without regular trims, thick hair tends to expand outward rather than grow down. Every 8 to 12 weeks is usually the right window to keep weight and shape in check.
Curly or Wavy Hair: Every 8–12 Weeks
Curly and wavy hair often looks healthier longer between trims because the texture hides split ends better than straight hair. Still, dry or damaged ends affect curl definition and cause frizz. Every 8 to 12 weeks — or when curls start losing their shape at the ends — is a good target.
Color-Treated Hair: Every 6–8 Weeks
Lightening and chemical processes weaken the hair shaft over time, making ends more vulnerable to splitting and breakage. If you get highlights, balayage, or color services regularly, scheduling a trim at or between color appointments helps keep ends healthy. A deep conditioning treatment alongside trims can restore strength and shine.
Adjust Based on Your Length Goals
Your trim schedule should change depending on whether you're maintaining or growing:
Maintaining a style: If you've found a cut you love and want to keep it looking intentional, trim on the shorter end of your hair type's recommended range — every 6 to 8 weeks for most people.
Growing your hair out: You still need trims, just less frequently. Every 10 to 12 weeks is enough to remove damage without sacrificing length. Skipping trims entirely while growing often backfires — breakage at the ends can mean your length stays the same despite months of growth.
Between major cuts: If you've made a big change — a short bob, a layered cut, or a textured shape — you may need more frequent trims in the first few months to keep the shape from going flat or boxy as it grows in. Read more about choosing the right shape in our guide to face shape and personal style haircut consultations.
Signs You're Overdue for a Trim
You don't always need to count weeks. These are reliable signs your ends need attention:
- Tangling easily — especially at the ends
- Frizz that won't lay flat despite product
- Split ends you can see when you hold hair up to light
- Difficulty styling — your usual routine stops working as well
- Dull or rough texture at the ends that product doesn't fix
If you're noticing several of these, you're likely overdue regardless of when your last appointment was.
How to Build a Trim Schedule That Works
Rather than waiting until your hair looks bad, build trimming into a regular routine alongside your other hair appointments. A few ways to think about it:
- Sync trims with color: If you color your hair every 6 to 8 weeks, add a trim at every other appointment.
- Book ahead: Before you leave the salon, schedule your next appointment. It's easier to maintain a routine when it's already on the calendar.
- Treat and trim together: Pairing a trim with a conditioning treatment is especially effective for color-treated or heat-styled hair.
If your hair's health feels like a bigger issue — damage, thinning ends, or breakage — a consultation is a better starting point than just a trim. We can assess what's going on and build a realistic plan.
Get a Trim or Consultation in Lone Tree
Burman & Co is a stylish, color-focused salon offering cuts, highlights, and keratin treatments in Lone Tree, Colorado. Whether you're due for a simple trim or want to rethink your maintenance schedule entirely, we'll help you find the right approach for your hair type and goals.
Visit us: 8353 Willow St C1, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Call: (303) 706-9626
Book online: Contact Us
Ready to explore what we offer? View our services or meet our team.