If you have been shying away from trimming your hair, today is the day that you need to stop.
For many years I didn’t believe that trimming your hair had had any benefits at all. In fact, I’m going to be real with you here because that’s what I’m all about.
I thought that people who trimmed their hair were just being extra, they just wanted to do it because their hairdresser told them to and not because they needed to.
I especially didn’t think that black women needed to get their hair trimmed.
Little did I know all those years ago how wrong I was. There are serious benefits of trimming hair which I will go through with you in just a moment.
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What Does Trimming Your Hair Entail?
When you trim the ends of your hair you are essentially getting rid of some of the damage that your hair can experience through day to day activities. Trimming your hair is also known as dusting the ends of your hair because you are getting rid of the parts that could be damaged.
How Often Should You Trim Your Hair?
There are varied opinions on how often you should trim your hair. A lot of that decision should be based on your personal circumstances.
For example, if you tend to do a lot of things with your hair then it is likely that you would need to trim more often.
If you do fairly low maintenance hairstyles like twist outs then you may find that you won’t need to trim your hair as much.
The more you get to know your hair the easier it will be to see when you are due for a trim.
If you are new to trimming then as a guide its a good idea to trim your hair every 4 months or so but if you want to try and retain more length then you could wait a little longer than that timeframe, perhaps 6- 8 months instead.
If you do want to wait longer then I would suggest that you are extremely careful with your hair and keep manipulation to a minimum.
You can check out the signs that your hair needs a trim here
If you are going to trim your own hair please please please use professional scissors to do so. They are fairly cheap and will make all the difference to your hair. You can get some from here.
Does Cutting Hair Help With Hair Loss?
Cutting hair on its own does not help with hair loss.
What is does do is to give the illusion that your hair is much fuller than what is actually is.
If you are noticing hair loss in places then it would be a good idea to get yourself a short hairstyle so that the loss is not as evident.
If you are worried that your hair loss is much more significant then it would be wise to see a hair specialist.
Is Trimming Good For Hair Growth?
The misconception that a lot of people have is that trimming your hair will make it grow faster. That is simply just not true.
Trimming your hair does not make it grow faster but what it does do is to help promote healthy hair growth.
If you feel that the ends of your hair are looking a little bit raggedy and not very lifelike then its quite possible that you could be due for a trim.
What’s The Difference Between A Trim and A Hair Cut?
Although there are some similarities between a haircut and a trim there are differences also.
When you trim your hair you only take a small amount of your hair off. Perhaps 1/2 inch at a time.
A haircut is much more distinct and can be any amount of hair. You may have had long hair and decided to go completely short.
Whist both are technically cutting your hair, trimming is a much milder version.
My Biggest Tip For You
If there is one important thing that I can tell you about trimming your hair it is that you should always make sure you use proper professional scissors. These are specially made for hair cutting.
If you try to trim your hair with regular scissor you will get split ends as they are not made for that purpose.
You can get yourself some hair cutting scissors here if you feel that you would like to trim your own hair at home.
11 Benefits of Trimming Hair
1. Great For Growth
Trimming your hair may seem counterproductive if you are trying to build length but I can assure you that it is not.
The benefits of trimming hair are immense.
When you trim your hair you are taking away the parts of your hair that are doing more damage than good. This gives way to the ability for healthy hair to begin to grow.
If you have been struggling to maintain growth trimming could make a very big difference to you.
2. Promotes Healthy Hair
Healthy hair is a must if you want something to be proud of.
It is completely pointless having long hair if when people look at it it looks fried and frizzled (if that’s even a word).
Damaged hair will literally be holding on by a thread and you will likely experience a lot more breakage as an effect of it.
You need to keep your hair in the best possible condition by trimming it regularly.
3. Gets Rid of Split Ends
Split ends are everyone’s enemy. No one likes them.
When you start to get split ends there is no way that you can repair them. A hair that was a single healthy strand has now divided into two making it much weaker and shabby looking.
If you think that just by being more gentle with split ends they won’t get any worse that is not true.
Split ends travel. The only way to stop a split end travelling and making things worse is to trim it off. This is why regular trimming should be a necessary part of your hair regimen.
4. Gets Rid of Swollen Ends
Have you ever seen a person that has swollen looking ends?
Its where the ends of the hair look puffier than the hair that is closer to the root.
Well, that shows damage. You need to trim it.
5. No More Heat Damage
We’ve all probably suffered from some type of heat damage before. The main culprits of this are usually hair straighteners or blow-drying.
Unfortunately, once you have heat damage you can’t repair it.
I know some product manufacturers say that you can repair heat damage but you can’t. Once heat damage is there that’s pretty much it. Your only option is to cut it off and grow it again.
If cutting your hair makes your stomach turn into a knot then opt to trim it every month until the damage has gone.
The next time you feel like straightening your hair try doing it this way instead.
6. Easier To Style
Having hair that is damaged or the ends just don’t look great makes styling that much more difficult because it is almost like working with 2 different textures of hair and not in a good way.
Damaged hair tends not to do what you want it too which makes styling a lot harder.
7. Makes Hair Look Thicker
Once you start to trim your hair you will immediately see the positive effects on your hair.
Your hair will look much thicker and healthier from root to tip.
8. Prevents Single Strand Knots
Single strand knots can be a bit of a nightmare for those of us with curly natural hair. This is because the strands of hair tend to twist and tangle around each other.
There is not really a whole lot that you can do to prevent it. Keeping your hair in a stretched out state can help to reduce the effects but you might not always want your hair stretched.
The reason that single stand knots are a problem is that they cause more tangles as other hairs get caught up in them as well.
Hair that has been naturally shedding can also get caught up causing you lots more unnecessary breakage.
9. Reduces Frizz
Frizz is also a problem that you want to avoid where possible.
Frizz can occur if you tend to wear a lot of hats and scarfs. Hair is very delicate and frizz can eventually cause damage to your hair strands.
Regular trimming can help to keep this under control.
10. Easier To Detangle
Having to detangle your hair is a process all on it own but that process is made much more difficult when you are faced with having ends that are not in good shape.
You will likely have to manage split ends, breakage and all sorts.
This is why the benefits of trimming hair are so huge compared to not trimming at all.
Trimming your hair regularly can cut down on the time it takes to detangle.
Related post: How finger combing can help to save your strands
11. Keeps Hair Looking Good
There is overall goodness in trimming your hair. If you have ever wondered why when some people style their hair it looks like a just stepped out of the salon moment it’s probably because they have taken the time to keep up with regular trimming.
3 Different Ways To Trim Your Hair
1. Search and Destroy
Search and destroy is a method that can be quite addictive if you are not careful.
It’s a simple method that requires you to look for strands of hair that have split ends, heat damage or are just generally in bad shape.
The idea is that you seek, you find, you cut. It’s quite a gratifying process so you’ll need to know when to quit.
Using this process is effective but you must know that it is unlikely that you will be able to get all the damaged hairs.
The best way to tackle this method is to do your hair in small sections at a time.
2. Naturally Curly Hair Trim
If you prefer you can trim your hair in its natural curl pattern although you will need a bit of practice to do this otherwise you run the risk of making some areas shorter than others.
3. Straight Hair Trim
Trimming your hair straight is going to be the easiest way to do it.
The advantage to trimming your hair this way is that you have more control over making sure that what you are trimming is precise and that you don’t go too short in areas.
Final Thoughts on The Benefits of Trimming Hair
I can’t stress enough the importance of regular trimming for natural hair for all the reasons that I have already mentioned.
If you want your natural hair to grow the right way then you need to make sure that trimming is a part of your regular routine. Don’t skip it.
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FAQs
What do I need to know about trimming my hair? ›
A trim is cutting about ¼ to 2 inches off the ends of your hair. There will be no change in style or shape. It's just a removal of split and frayed ends. Simply put, this is a service that's meant to maintain your hair and make it healthier.
What are the benefits of cutting off split ends? ›The benefit of cutting split ends is the improvement of your hair growth. Believe it or not, hair growth can plateau because of damaged ends. Once you cut away your ends, it will allow your hair to keep getting longer. Think of it like taking one step backward to move three steps forward.
How important is it to trim long hair? ›Long hair is forgiving too—you can go as long as you like the length. But trims are important, because older strands are likely to be prone to breakage. “If your hair gets dry at the tips, trim the ends every two months, it'll boost the global texture,” says Heldt.
What happens if you don't trim your hair? ›Basically, if you don't have a trim, your split ends will run riot and likely split further up the shaft eventually snapping and making your hair short, which stops it from growing long. This way, your hair can continue to grow healthily from your roots, but the ends won't fray and snap shorter.
How to trim pubic hair? ›Gently press down on the razor, pull the skin taut and shave in short, steady strokes in the direction of the hair growth. Rinse off the razor after each stroke to keep the blades clean. For a closer shave, reapply shave gel and carefully shave against the direction of the hair growth.
Does hair trimming make it grow faster? ›The quick answer to “does trimming hair make it grow faster” is no, it doesn't. Hair growth starts at the scalp, so trimming off the dead ends doesn't actually make it grow faster. However, it makes it grow healthier, which is crucial if you want long luscious hair.
What happens if you don't cut your hair for 2 years? ›Your Hair "Stops Growing."
"By not cutting your hair, you are actually risking the length rather than letting it grow," says Bivona. It seems counterintuitive, but by frequently trimming your hair, you'll prevent breakage by removing the dead, fragile ends.
"If you don't cut your hair, it may appear to stop growing," said Vitale. This is because as the ends get older and split, those splits begin to travel up the hair and cause breakage. So those with long hair may feel like it stays the same length, due to the ends breaking at a similar point."
How often should hair be trimmed? ›If you want to keep your hair at the same length, get it cut every 6 to 8 weeks. But if you want to grow it a little longer, cut it every 8 to 12 weeks.
Is it better to cut hair wet or dry? ›When you're cutting your hair at home just keep in mind that when your hair dries, the cut will end up a little shorter than when it was wet. Also, if you prefer the look of a straight-across cut (think a blunt bob or bangs), wet cutting will be the best option.
What are the cons of having short hair? ›
- The need to shampoo your hair more often.
- Regular salon appointments around 4 to 6 weeks to keep cut in place.
- Little variety in hairstyles.
The major difference between a haircut and a hair trim:
A hair CUT is changing the style and shape of your hair completely. A hair TRIM is helping you maintain the style and shape of your cut as well as removing any damage.
Hair grows at an average rate of half an inch every month: that means the average person's hair grows only about 6 inches every year. Some people have a longer hair growth phase, so their strands can grow to crazy lengths.
How long would your hair grow if you never cut it? ›The hairs on our heads grow about half an inch per month and have an average life of two to six years. From this, you can figure that an average person's hair should grow no longer than 3 feet or so.
What is hair dusting? ›"Hair dusting is a technique in which you don't get rid of any hair length, but only the damaged hair tips. This can be done by snipping the very bottom of each hair strand. Think of it in terms of removing fuzz from clothes," Los Angeles-based stylist, Sal Salcedo, explained to Refinery29.
Does pubic hair fall out with age? ›As we age, some pubic hair thinning, or loss, is normal. However, certain conditions like alopecia or an adrenal issue can also cause hair loss. If you have any concerns, it's best to contact your Axia Women's Health provider.
Is it OK to cut pubic hair with scissors? ›The safest technique is trimming pubic hair with scissors, if they do not come into contact with the skin. Shaving or using methods that remove hair from the hair follicle can lead to effects such as unintentional cuts or small cuts in the skin, redness or irritation.
What percent of females shave their pubic hair? ›As each pubic hair is attached to a nerve, tugging during sex may also increase sexual stimulation. Pubic hair may also have a role in dispersal of normal odors. Pubic hair removal is common — approximately 80 percent of women ages 18 to 65 report they remove some or all of their pubic hair.
What stimulates hair growth? ›- Massage. Massaging the scalp, which people can combine with hair oils and masks, stimulates the scalp and may improve hair thickness . ...
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss. ...
- Coconut oil. ...
- Viviscal. ...
- Fish oil. ...
- Ginseng. ...
- Onion juice. ...
- Rosemary oil.
The very act of cutting may make hair appear thicker for a short time. A human hair shaft is like a pencil or javelin that tapers at the end. So when a razor slices away the tip, it may appear that the remaining hair, and subsequent stubble, is thicker or darker than it was before the cut.
Does trimming your hair make it healthier? ›
By removing damaged hairs, haircuts promote healthy hair growth and stops the spread of split ends through the strands. This allows long-term hair health with less need for expensive products or conditioners. It is recommended to trim hair once every four months to maintain perfect hair health.
How long is too long for hair? ›If your strands reach past your shoulders, it's considered long. You can opt for a mid-back length cut or grow it out to your tailbone for extralong hair.
Does hair grow slower the longer it gets? ›Does your hair grow slower as it gets longer? If it seems like your hair growth is slowing down as it gets longer, this is likely due to the cycle your hair is in. Keep in mind that, while the exact timeline varies, the total cycle for each hair on your scalp is between 2 and 6 years.
What does damaged hair look like? ›Unhealthy hair usually has a rough texture, lack of shininess and luster, have split ends, lack of moisture and elasticity even after treatment and easily broken. Damaged hair will also get tangled up and result in knots due to hair dryness.
How many times a year should you cut split ends? ›If your hair is healthy, getting a trim about three or four times a year should suffice. This is more of a preventive measure to maintain healthy ends and prevent split ends before they even start. I get my ends trimmed by my hairstylist whenever the seasons change as a way to ensure I stay on schedule.
How do you tell if you have dead ends? ›Take an inch-wide section of hair between two fingers and gently pull them down the hair, right to the ends. Concentrate on the texture: does it feel smooth all the way down? If you feel an uneven surface, with kinks and sections that snap off under tension, these are damaged hair warning signs.
Can you ever fully get rid of split ends? ›Split ends can't be repaired. The only reliable way to get rid of them is to cut them off. The latest trend to get rid of split ends is a process called velaterapia, also known as candle cutting.
How often should you wash your hair? ›When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
How often should I trim my hair to make it grow faster? ›To maintain your length, aim for a quarterly trim, getting a haircut every three-four months. But if you're wanting to grow your hair longer, only get your hair cut every four-six months to allow it to grow in length.
Which day is good for hair cut? ›Wednesday or Budhwar is the day of planet Mercury or Buddh. It is an extremely auspicious day. By Wednesday, we have walked half to the weekend, thus it is also my favorite day. Well, jokes apart, cleaning & cutting your hair & nails on Wednesday brings good luck in the home and its inhabitants.
How much do you tip a hair stylist? ›
Most of these experts suggest leaving 15% to 20%, depending on the service and your satisfaction. Going with 20% is nice for the stylist and you because that math is pretty simple. To find 20%, start by finding 10%, then double that amount.
What does a butterfly haircut look like? ›The butterfly cut is a very layered, feathery haircut thats longest layers fall just below the shoulder. Shorter layers are cut around the crown of your head to create the illusion of having shorter strands. “The shortest top layer falls about two to three inches below your chin,” Brook says.
Can I cut my hair at night? ›Cutting Your Hair at Night Means a Family Member Will Die
While rather harsh, and definitely not true, this hair superstition may actually have an origin. It's been said that this myth was started as a way to deter people from cutting their hair after the sun had set.
There are many benefits to cutting your hair short. Not only will it be easier to manage and style, but it will also require less maintenance and save you time in the morning. In addition, shorter hair is cooler in the summer and can be more versatile when it comes to styling.
Why does short hair feel so good? ›Embracing a shorter 'do is proven to imbue us with a sense of self-assuredness and control. Elsewhere, Dr. Lauren Appio, a psychologist and career coach in Manhattan, tells Lifehacker that a short haircut can actually instil us with feelings of increased self-assurance.
Is short hair or long hair sexier? ›After examining the length of hair in models, male participants expressed a preference for models with longer hair and higher levels of attractiveness. Based on this, one can conclude that men find long hair attractive because it shows how fertile a woman is.
Why trim and not shave? ›Trim if you want to avoid cuts and bumps
When you use a trimmer, the razor doesn't drag across your skin and there's less chance of getting bumps and ingrown hair which can lead to irritation and redness.
Every cut falls under three categories: layered, one-length, or a combination of both, says celebrity hairstylist Dwayne Ross. Layers help lessen density and create movement. One-length cuts, on the other hand, add weight. To avoid confusion and hair mishaps, double-check with your stylist.
Is trimmer or scissor better for haircut? ›Since scissor cuts are loose, they contours better to the head. As a result, scissor cuts are more natural and are easier to blend. Furthermore, these cuts grow back naturally and are better than clippers. Finally, scissor cuts tend to last longer and there is more control over the cuts.
What is the longest human hair can grow? ›...
There are three stages of hair growth:
- Anagen - the growth phase (2-7 years)
- Catagen - the transition phase (4-6 weeks)
- Telogen - the resting phase (2-3 months)
What is the longest your hair can grow in a year? ›
We'll cut straight to it: On average, hair grows at a rate of about half an inch per month, or six inches per year. Each hair on your head grows from an individual follicle. At the base of the follicle is the bulb from which new hair grows.
What are the little hairs that stop dust? ›The mucus they produce catches most of the dust particles. Tiny hairs called cilia, covering the walls of the air tubes, move the mucus upward and out into the throat, where it is either coughed up and spat out, or swallowed.
What is fairy dust for hair? ›Gold Fairy Dust is an innovative high-performance hair powder created for dry styling and perfect for fine hair - without weighing it down. • Ideal for any hair type. • Noticeably increases hair volume. • Adds control.
What is surface cutting hair? ›A surface cut takes away little to no length and focuses on the split ends at the bottom of the hair as well as the unhealthy flyaways along the length of the hair. Your stylist will start by blow drying the hair straight.
How often should you really trim your hair? ›Unless you are growing your hair longer, with medium and long hairstyles you should be getting a trim every 6-8 weeks to maintain its length and style. If you are aiming for Rapunzel long locks, you can wait a bit longer to let your hair grow out, getting a trim every 8-10 weeks to help prevent damage from split ends.
Is it better to trim hair wet or dry? ›When you're cutting your hair at home just keep in mind that when your hair dries, the cut will end up a little shorter than when it was wet. Also, if you prefer the look of a straight-across cut (think a blunt bob or bangs), wet cutting will be the best option.
Do you trim wet or dry hair? ›For most textures, Tripodi actually recommends trimming hair while it's slightly damp. "If it's towel-dried and a lot of moisture is taken out of the hair, but you can still see its natural texture, that's a generally good time to cut it," she explains.
What is considered very long hair? ›If your strands reach past your shoulders, it's considered long. You can opt for a mid-back length cut or grow it out to your tailbone for extralong hair.
What makes hair grow faster? ›- Get frequent trims. ...
- Eat the right diet. ...
- Add a hair-healthy vitamin to your a.m. routine. ...
- Shampoo less and hydrate more. ...
- Lay off the bleach. ...
- Avoid excessive heat styling. ...
- Brush hair regularly. ...
- Protect hair from physical damage.
If you don't know what setting of clippers you prefer, ask your barber to start with a longer setting and progressively get shorter until you find a style you like. Men with longer hair especially need to be clear about how much hair they want cut off.
How much is a good trim haircut? ›
A typical trim may cost anywhere from $20 to $100, depending on the length and thickness of your hair, the experience level of the stylist, and more.
What does angel cut hair mean? ›The meaning of 'angel cut with layers' has been explained on TikTok by a hairstylist named Leda Fazal. It is a secret code used by women to let their hairstylist know that they are in an abusive relationship and are victims of domestic violence.