New York Stylists Say You’re Probably Cutting Your Hair Too Often: Here’s What Actually Helps Growth

While haircuts alter the appearance of hair, they have no impact on its growth process. It may be stated so straightforwardly because the issue of how often to get haircuts will be discussed. Hair originates in the follicles underneath the scalp, while the cutting process only affects the hair strand above the skin's surface. PubMed-indexed studies prove that hair growth is regulated by the follicles themselves and the hair cycle and does not depend on the frequency of cutting the hair ends.

A study referenced in dermatological literature estimates that hair grows an average of 1.06 cm per month and remains constant despite grooming methods. It is crucial for this reason alone, as many people believe that regular cuts affect hair growth. In actuality, hair growth itself is not affected; rather, it is the appearance of the hair that changes due to haircuts.

Why Do Trims Still Make a Visible Difference?

Even though hair trims do not make the process of hair growth faster, they are still very practical. Damage usually occurs at the ends because the hair fibers are the oldest and therefore most vulnerable to environmental factors, heat styling, etc. As dermatological literature indicates, regular trims help get rid of split ends, which may further move upward and lead to breakage. Here arises a misunderstanding: if the number of breakages is reduced, it seems that the growth process is faster when, in reality, the growth speed remains the same. It means that trimming makes hair growth more effective in the sense of preservation of existing length and not growth itself. Literature concerning hair shaft disorders also indicates that proper maintenance can lead to a fuller appearance and more uniform hair fibers.

There Is No Universal Haircut Schedule

One cannot apply a single haircut schedule to all cases because hair density and quality vary between people. Moreover, there are variations even inside an individual's scalp. Therefore, the required number of haircuts is determined by the type of hair, personal preferences in styling, and the state of the ends. Some people grow their hair for a long time and do not get haircuts for months, whereas others have to regularly visit stylists to preserve the desired look. The most important thing in this matter is common sense. A person should get their hair trimmed when the ends become damaged. However, if the hair is in good condition, there is no point in cutting the hair just because the scheduled day has arrived. Hair growth happens independently of human actions; however, haircuts occur at the owner's discretion.