How Often Should You Get a Haircut?
A practical guide to how often to get a haircut in the UK for different styles, hair types and goals, from sharp fades to growing hair out.
There is no single correct interval for haircuts. The right gap depends on your style, your hair and what you want it to do. This guide gives realistic ranges and the reasoning behind them, so you can tailor it to yourself.
The general guideline
Hair grows, on average, a little under a centimetre a month, though this varies from person to person. That means a gap of four to eight weeks is common for most people who want to keep a shape. Beyond that, the line of a cut starts to soften and the ends may look less neat.
By style
Short, sharp styles
Fades, crops and short back-and-sides lose their shape quickly. Many people refresh these every two to four weeks. If you like a crisp neckline, you might book more often or tidy it between visits. See our guide on men's grooming at home.
Medium-length cuts
Bobs, mid-length layers and classic men's styles usually hold up for six to eight weeks. Bobs, in particular, can look untidy once the length changes.
Long hair
For long hair that you want to keep, a trim every eight to twelve weeks helps remove split ends and keeps the length healthy. This is not about taking much off, just a little dusting.
Fringes
Fringes grow in and out of the eyes quickly. Many people trim them every three to four weeks. Some stylists offer quick fringe trims between full cuts.
Curly and textured hair
Curls often behave differently as they grow. Some people trim every eight to twelve weeks, while others prefer a shape-up more often. A stylist who understands your texture can advise on timing.
By goal
Growing hair out
You may think you should avoid cuts, but small trims every twelve weeks or so can remove damaged ends and help length look healthier. It is a balance between length and condition.
Keeping a style sharp
If appearance matters at work or for events, a regular schedule gives consistent results. Booking your next appointment at the end of each visit helps.
Low maintenance
Some styles are designed to grow out gracefully. Ask your stylist for a cut that works with your natural growth patterns, and you may be able to stretch to ten to twelve weeks.
Other factors
Colour and heat
If your hair is coloured, bleached or heat-styled, the ends can become dry or split more quickly, so more frequent trims may help. See hair care between appointments.
Hair health
Signs it might be time include split ends, tangling that is more than usual, a shape that has gone, or hair that feels rough or dull. These are general indicators, not medical diagnosis. If you notice sudden hair loss or scalp problems, speak to a GP or pharmacist.
Budget and time
A regular mobile hairdresser can often fit around your schedule. Combining trims with other family members can also help save costs. See how much a mobile hairdresser costs.
Make it easy
- Choose an interval based on your style and stick to it.
- Rebook before you leave, or message your provider at the start of the interval.
- Take a photo of the cut after you get it, so you can describe it next time.
- Be flexible. Life gets busy, and a week or two either way rarely matters.
Booking on Compito
You can search by postcode, compare ID-verified hairdressers and barbers, and send a request for your regular trim. Messaging lets you agree a suitable repeat schedule, and you can pay online after accepting an offer. See how it works.
A quick planner
| Situation | Typical interval |
|---|---|
| Short, sharp styles such as crops and fades | Every 3 to 5 weeks |
| Bobs and sharp, blunt lines | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Medium to long layers | Every 8 to 12 weeks |
| Growing hair out | Every 10 to 14 weeks, trimming ends only |
| Curly or coily hair | Often every 8 to 12 weeks, depending on shape |
These are rough guides only. Your own hair growth, style and preference matter more than a chart.
Signs it might be time
- The shape no longer holds and falls flat.
- Ends feel straw-like, snag or split.
- Styling takes longer than it used to.
- A fringe is in your eyes or has lost its line.
- You are tying it up every day because it is not behaving.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until the cut has completely grown out, which often needs more cutting to fix.
- Trimming too frequently when growing hair out. A small dusting often suffices.
- Skipping appointments around busy periods, then needing a larger fix.
Making it easier to keep up
Book your next appointment before the stylist leaves, or set a reminder on your phone. A mobile stylist may be willing to arrange a regular slot, which cuts down on planning. If cost is a concern, you can alternate between full cuts and quick tidy-ups.
Thinking about hair health
Regular trims do not make hair grow faster, but they remove damaged ends before splits travel. If you notice sudden thinning or patchiness, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Does cutting hair more often make it grow faster?
No. Hair grows from the root, so trimming the ends does not change the speed of growth. Regular trims remove damage and can make hair look healthier as it gets longer.
Can I go six months between haircuts?
You can, but the shape is likely to be lost, and ends may become dry or split. If you do not mind, that is fine, but a quick trim can tidy things up without losing length.
How often should children have their hair cut?
It depends on the style and how quickly their hair grows. Many children have a trim every six to ten weeks, with fringes done more often. See home haircuts for children.