How Often Should You Get a Trim?

Let’s talk about trims — not myths, not rules from your mom’s stylist in 1994 — actual trim timing based on facts, hair science, and real-life wear.

The idea that everyone needs a trim “every six weeks” is one of those salon rules that got repeated so often it started sounding like the gospel. But here’s the truth: your trim schedule should depend on your hair type, your goals, and how you treat your hair between appointments.

Some of you need trims more often. Some of you can go months. And some of you think you’re due for a cut when what you actually need is hydration. Let’s break it down.

What Is a Trim, Really?

At Art Works, when we say “trim,” we don’t mean lopping off inches or redoing your whole cut. A proper trim is about:

Removing split ends
Maintaining the shape of your haircut
Preventing fraying or breakage
Keeping layers and lines clean

It’s a maintenance move — not a transformation. But done right and done regularly, trims keep your hair looking intentional and feeling healthy.

The Real Reasons to Trim

1. Split Ends Travel
Once your ends split, they can split upward — damaging inches of healthy hair. A quick dusting now saves length in the long run.

2. Your Shape Loses Structure
Even a beautiful haircut will start looking heavy, bulky, or shapeless if you go too long between trims. The eye notices balance even before it notices damage.

3. You’re Growing It Out (Yes, Really)
If you’re growing your hair long, you still need trims. The goal is to preserve health so you’re not forced into a big chop when breakage catches up.

Here’s what I recommend based on your hair type, goals, and habits — with a little Ellijay lifestyle seasoning thrown in.

Short Cuts / Precision Shapes: Every 4–6 weeks
Pixie cuts, bobs, undercuts — these need more frequent shaping to stay intentional. If you love the just-cut feeling, don’t stretch it.

Medium-Length / Layered Styles: Every 8–10 weeks
These haircuts are a little more forgiving but still benefit from maintenance to keep layers from going limp or choppy.

Long Hair (Healthy): Every 10–14 weeks
If your hair is in good shape and you treat it well, you can space out trims — especially if you’re heat-free or air dry often.

Bleached / Colored / Damaged Hair: Every 6–8 weeks
Lightened or chemically processed hair is more prone to dryness and splits. It’s not about cutting more — it’s about cutting smart and often.

Curly or Coily Hair: Every 10–12 weeks
Curly hair doesn’t show split ends the same way straight hair does, but it’s still prone to dryness. And uneven curls? They show. Trust your curl specialist.

Signs You’re Overdue for a Trim

You don’t need a calendar reminder — your hair will tell you:

Your ends feel rough or dry
You see fraying or white tips
Styling doesn’t hold as well
Ponytails feel bulky or uneven
Your cut “just isn’t doing it” anymore

Hair that feels heavy, flat, or fluffy in all the wrong places probably needs a trim — not a whole new cut.

What If You Want to Grow It Out?

Trimming doesn’t slow down hair growth — it protects the length you already have. Think of it like pruning a plant. You’re not cutting it down — you’re encouraging stronger, healthier growth.

We tell our long-hair clients in Ellijay the same thing every time: come in every 10–12 weeks for a micro-trim. You’ll barely lose length, but your hair will feel like silk and grow out beautifully.

Heat Styling, Weather, and the North Georgia Effect

Between the mountain weather, lake days, and the Southern sun, our clients here in Ellijay put their hair through a lot — especially in summer. That’s why we always tailor trim schedules seasonally.

In summer, we often bump trim schedules up by 2–3 weeks. In winter, you can stretch them out a bit — unless you’re battling indoor heat and dryness.

Let’s Build a Trim Schedule That Works for You

We’re not here to lecture you about six-week cycles or guilt you into cutting more than you want. We’re here to give you honest advice based on what we see in your hair and how you live your life.

Need help building a plan? Book a quick trim, and let’s talk. We’ll create a low-maintenance schedule that keeps your hair strong, stylish, and suited to your goals.

Your hair doesn’t need to be cut constantly. It just needs to be cut with purpose. And that’s exactly what we do.