How Often Should You Get a Haircut for Short Hair?
As a barber, I get this question a lot: "How often should I get my hair cut?" If you’ve got short hair, the answer depends on how clean and sharp you want it to look. Short styles don’t leave much room for overgrowth, so regular maintenance is key. Part of this answer comes down to personal preference and also depends on the skills of your barber. Good barbers can give you a haircut that looks great right out of the shop. Great barbers can cut your hair in a way that allows it to grow in properly, maintain its shape, and give you more longevity between cuts.
If you’re looking for a cut that won’t need frequent touch-ups, finding an experienced barber who is proficient with both scissors and clippers is key.
Why Short Hair Needs Frequent Maintenance
With short hair, even a little growth can change the shape of your cut. Fades lose their crispness, hair starts to get shaggy around the ears, scissor cuts can lose their structure, and cropped styles begin to look uneven and get in your eyes. If you want to keep your style looking fresh, staying on a schedule is the best move.
I’m also a big fan of tapering the back of the neck and sideburns for longevity, but honestly, that topic deserves its own blog post—I have a lot to say about it!
Recommended Haircut Frequency
Every 2–4 Weeks: Sharp, Clean Styles
If you like a fresh, well-defined look, plan to get a cut every 2 to 4 weeks. This is especially important for styles that depend on precise lines and tight fades.
Best for:
Skin fades
Buzz cuts
High-and-tights
Cropped cuts with fringe (think “French crop”)
Every 4–6 Weeks: Structured But Flexible
For slightly longer short styles that don’t need constant touch-ups, 4 to 6 weeks is a good timeframe. These cuts still hold their shape but allow for a little natural growth.
Best for:
Textured scissor cuts
Cropped cuts with layers (think “wolf cut”)
Classic scissor cuts with a tapered neck and sideburns (think Don Draper from Mad Men)
Every 6–8 Weeks: More Relaxed or Growing Out
If you’re going for a softer, more natural look or transitioning to a longer style, stretching trims to 6–8 weeks works. Your cut will still be manageable, just with a more lived-in feel.
Best for:
Growing out a fade
Soft, tousled scissor cuts
Shoulder-length hair with layers
Tips to Maintain Your Cut Between Visits
Use a styling product—Matte clay or pomade can add structure, but as your hair gets longer, this might become cumbersome. Try switching to a light cream and/or hair tonic if you’re looking to extend the time between cuts.
Get a quick clean-up—A neckline or sideburn trim between full cuts can keep things tidy. Not all barbershops offer this service, so check with your barber before booking. Some shops structure their schedules around full-service prices, so knowing their policy in advance will be helpful for everyone.
Change up your styling—Slicking it back, adding texture, or parting it differently can help disguise growth. Knowing how to find your natural part is helpful. As your hair grows out, forcing a part where it doesn’t naturally fall will only frustrate you. I’ll cover this in another blog post, but a quick tip: slick your hair back, place your hand on the top back part of your head, and gently push forward. Your hair will start parting where it naturally separates—use that as your foundation.
Exceptions:
Annual Haircuts
Some of my clients come in only twice a year, sometimes just once! They’ll get a short scissor cut (scissor cuts grow in better because added texture looks more natural) and ask me to cut it so it grows out evenly over time. If they want the sides shorter than ½ inch, I’ll use clippers. I usually add some form of taper on the neck and sideburns for even more longevity. Then, when they come in 6, 8, or even 12 months later, we chop it all off! These cuts are always fun, and I recommend booking a longer appointment so we can take our time and set them up for success for the rest of the year.
Long Hair
I define long hair as below the shoulders. If you want to maintain your length and avoid breakage, regular trims every 2–4 months are a good idea. On average, hair grows ½ inch per month. Depending on your lifestyle, the ends of your hair can become frayed and damaged from friction, heat styling, tying it up (like in a bun), and even from your pillowcase material. The more of these factors you have, the faster your ends will split and break.
Getting regular trims (every 2–4 months) prevents breakage at the ends while still maintaining length. This schedule keeps your hair healthy without making it feel like you’re losing too much each time.
Bottom Line
If you want to keep your short hair looking sharp, regular cuts are the way to go. Stick to a schedule that fits your style, and you’ll never have to deal with that awkward in-between phase.
Booking with your barber ahead of time helps you stay on schedule, especially if they’re in high demand. If you’re unsure how frequently you should get a cut, build a relationship with your barber so they can learn your hair type and growth rate. That way, they can recommend the best timing for your trims.
Most of my clients book their next appointment at checkout—it’s a great way to avoid last-minute “Can you squeeze me in?” messages.
This topic gave me so many ideas for other blog posts like, “Why should the neckline and sideburns be tapered”, “The difference between hair product types”, “How to find your natural part”, and many more. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on this with you!
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