Lately, I’ve noticed that my hair is in need of a trimming session, and I wondered if you know when you hair needs a trim too. I know that when we’re transitioning to natural hair, or even when we have certain length goals, this is the last thing we want to hear or talk about. However, this is an important part of our journey and we need to face it. The need to trim our hair ends is an issue that involves a lot of debate for women of all hair types. Many trim every 6 weeks others will wait 3 months, 6 months and some only cut when they feel they need to. So when should we trim transitioning hair then?
Signs That You Need to Have a Trim
I guess we’ve all been conditioned by our hairstylist or even our mothers, that we should trim our hair regularly, every 6 to 12 weeks so we could have beautiful healthy hair. Many of us followed this advice without questioning it while others (more anxious about trimming) didn’t. However, regardless of this, do you recognize the signs when your hair is in need of a trim? Don’t worry I’ll give you some tips.
- Thinning/Weathering of the hair – This is a very noticeable sign. As our hair grows the ends become thinner or start weathering because they have been exposed the longest to the environment (the sun, the wind or cold weather), chemicals (dyeing, relaxing or chlorine), manipulation (shampooing, toweling and hairstyles) and/or styling tools (blow dryers, flat irons, curling rods, etc). The hair becomes thinner because it loses its protective layer (cuticle layers) which leaves its internal structure exposed (cortex).
- Split ends – This is what happens to thinning hair that is not trimmed. Hair will eventually have split ends and will start breaking off. When you have split ends the hair won’t have a soft feeling to the touch it will feel rough. You should have a cut before you reach this stage because you risk needing to cut more than you intend to on your next visit to the hairstylist. Furthermore, if you have length goals not trimming your hair will actually prevent you from reaching those. Once you have split ends they can “travel” along the hair strand and your hair will be weak and brittle. This means breakage and it will certainly stall whatever goals you’re trying to reach.
- Detangling – Do you notice that when you’re detangling your hair and it gets harder as you reach your ends? It’s like your hair is all wired, surprisingly more tangled and never really smooth in the ends especially when dry. Well, this is another sign you need to cut your hair. Making the scissor your enemy won’t help. Friction with clothes and manipulation will cause your split ends to break off.
- Easy Breakage – If whenever you style, touch, detangle or even don’t do anything to your hair you notice that it snaps or breaks easier, or you see more broken hair strands fallen around the house floor you are in need of a hair trim.
Warning! Don’t confuse breakage with shedding! When shedding, the hair has its root attached and it’s longer than broken hair, which has different shorter lengths, can have knots and doesn’t have the root. Take a look at the image below. Read this post to know more about the difference between shedding and breakage.
How Often Should You Trim Your Hair?
Stylists will probably tell you to trim your hair every 6 to 12 weeks. I believe that this is very much connected to the way you treat your hair. Do you submit your hair to frequent chemical treatments, do you apply heat frequently, do you deep condition, do you seal your ends to protect it? etc, etc… Much is involved and each case is different. So you need to be attuned with your hair, notice the signs and trim to prevent damage. However, I would say that if you put your hair under a great amount of “stress” you should probably trim your hair every 6 to 8 weeks. I honestly don’t want to tell you, and I am not telling you, to follow a rule. Just pay attention to your hair and try to identify any of the signs mentioned here.
Obviously, if you are trying to reach a specific hair length you will not trim your hair at the same rate as it grows since you won’t see any growth. If your hair grows an inch and a half (about 4cm) in three months maybe think about cutting half an inch (about 1.3cm) every 3 months, this is of course if you’ve been a good girl and taken good care of your hair.
Are you able to notice when your hair is in need of a trim? Or by the time you trim it you already have split ends? Do you do it regularly? Does is cause you anxiety just thinking about it?
Related posts:
Know The Difference Between Hair Shedding And Hair Breakage
5 Transitioning Hair Struggles And How To Overcome Them
Transitioning To Natural Hair And Understanding Your Curly Hair
5 Ways To Reduce Hair Breakage When Washing Transitioning Hair
6 Tips To Avoid Breakage At The Line Of Demarcation In Transitioning Hair
14 thoughts on “Know When To Trim Transitioning Hair”
Hello, this site would be perfect for my wife, I will give her your link to check you out, have a great day!
Hi Daniel. Thanks have a great day too!
I don’t think I’ve had my hair trimmed in years. I notice hair coming out of my head when I detangle it, but I’m not sure if it’s shedding or if it’s breakage. I probably do need a trim, but my hair is growing like crazy now that it’s natural. I’m scared to cut it, but I want my hair to stay healthy, so I’m probably going to go get it trimmed.
Thanks for this. I needed this reminder.
Hi Kinya! Do you detangle on dry or wet hair? It should be on wet hair with lots of conditioner, dry hair will increase breakage in hair that has splits end and is dry (not saying this is your case). Shedding is when the hair strand has its root attached to it (like a small white/transparent “head”)and it’s a long, or longer strand than the bits you get from when your hair is breaking. Trimming is necessary, the longer you put it off the worse it will be. Just pay attention to the signs and trim whenever you identify them.
Good post. I try for every three months – as I get colour at the same time it depends on my bank balance how often I go 🙂
Well just pay attention to the signs and you’ll be fine, now you know them!
Very informative post. I generally trim my hair at home. This information will help me a lot. Keep posting such awesome information.
Thanks Demi, keep coming.
Wow i am a guy and even I learned a few things from this post! great job, i will be sure to share with my girlfriend!
Thanks Shaun, I’m happy you learned something.
Good tips! Thanks bunches…
I have a question, a friend of mines has really long naturally curly hair with split ends all the way up to the roots.. is there any way that she could transition back to healthy natural hair without cutting it all off in one go? She is 2 years natural.
Hi Kenbryia,
I’m really sorry to hear your friend’s hair is damaged. The best thing your friend could do is to cut it all off. I know this can be a bit drastic, but if she has the courage to do it, why not? Maybe try a new look. Having said this, I don’t think I would have the courage to do it myself. Therefore, in your friend’s case, since her hair is damaged up to the roots, I would advise her to start off with a good trim.
She should cut off the damaged hair up to a length where she feels comfortable. Tell her also, there’s no point cutting just one inch, it will have to be more. As her hair grows, she should trim regularly to get rid of the damage. She should also devise a good hair regimen for her, look at her products and check if the ingredients in them are not damaging her hair and do weekly deep conditioning sessions. If she regularly flat irons her hair or colours it, she will need to stop this for a while until her hair recovers (I would challenge her to stop for 6 months at least). Continuing to do this only damages her hair even more and the process of getting back to healthy hair will be pointless. As for colouring, why not try henna?
I hope these tips/links will help you help your friend. Or, you can always refer the website to her. Either way, you’re a good friend. 🙂
All the best to you Kenbryia.
Monica
I just soft rebonded my hair 3 days ago and I’m not happy with the outcome. I’m thinking of straight to go transitioning hair natural. Would that be okayy? And should I go for trimming if there are split ends etc after 3 months ??
Hi Natasha, transitioning to your natural hair is always a personal choice. Some people don’t have the patience to do it and just do a Big Chop others, like me, just do it. It is totally your decision to do it. Trimming/Cutting your hair is always good and should be done even if you’re not transitioning. You’ll gradually get rid of your damaged hair and closer to your natural hair. How often you trim will depend on your hair care practices, but if you don’t engage in direct heat styling and colouring/bleach every 3 months sounds good.