How often should you see your stylist? This is one of the most common asked questions but with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our hair tends to take the back seat. But also, we just simply lack the knowledge and don’t know when to book our next appointment! So, we took to the professionals! Asking our most trusted stylists, how long we should go in-between trims and what signs can tell us we are due for a visit in the chair.
We asked, they answered!
1. How long do you recommend going in-between trims?
Andrew Carruthers, Education Director for Sam Villa: I always put it this way to my guests, there is a range of about 2 weeks... 6-8 for mid-length to longer hair or 4-6 weeks for short hair (including men). If you want your hair to always look flawless, choose the early part of that range. If you're willing to deal with a week or so of not loving your hair, you can push towards the later part of that range. Not every hair on your head grows at the same pace so around 6 weeks, even the most perfectly cut shape will start to feel less refined. After the 8 week mark, you are starting to risk infectious split ends! Once the tip of your hair begins to split, it will quickly travel farther and farther up the strand until it breaks off. So, even if you are growing your hair out, you should go in and have a micro trim every 8 weeks. By taking even as little as a 1/4 inch off the ends, you will keep those infectious little splits at bay and achieve longer hair quicker than waiting half a year at a time for those crucial trims.
Geneva Cowen, Artistic Director for Sam Villa: On the average I suggest 6-8 weeks however all our guests have different needs. How often we see our guests depends on their style, texture, and fragility. Each guest we see are unique in what they require to maintain beautiful hair. I have some guests that I see every three weeks and others that are three times a year. My goal when I see a new guest is to inform them of their optimal financial commitment to me. Make no mistake, everyone we see is making a commitment to the products, approach, and our suggestions and taste. If they choose to see us again they are committing to giving us their hard earned money. After our first visit I inform my guest how often I need to see them to ensure their hair is at its best and I then book them for the next 6 months.
David Boyd, Sam Villa ArTeam: I like to offer my male guests the barber equivalent of a fringe trim in-between haircuts – maybe two or three weeks after a fresh do. I like to invite them to come in for a 2 to 3 minute refresh where we will clean up the perimeter and address briefly any trouble areas in their haircut. Keeping their haircut in top form is beneficial to both of us. The better they look, the better it is for my business.
2. What’s one of the first signs that your hair is in need of a trim?
Geneva Cowen, Artistic Director for Sam Villa: When your hair becomes difficult to comb out, if you notice split ends, and when you can’t see through your fringe.
David Boyd, Sam Villa ArTeam: Generally, the shorter the haircut the more quickly it may feel like it needs a trim. Mid-length to longer cuts can go a bit longer before trims. It's important for me to help my guests understand that certain types of haircuts require a bit more maintenance. Generally these are tight fades and your haircuts that include a dramatically detached or disconnected aspect. For example, these undercuts that are all the rage right now don't look very good halfway grown out.
3. What are other warning signs that you need to book an appointment with your stylist ASAP?
Geneva Cowen, Artistic Director for Sam Villa: Our hair is our bodies alarm system. It is one of the first areas it alerts us to stress. If your hair turns color, is hard to comb out, you notice breakage or any drastic change call your salon immediately. We typically have an answer or may be able to give you products and referrals.
David Boyd, Sam Villa ArTeam: As far as guys go, one thing that I don't want them to try to do at home is to fix their own beard. A moderate beard trim is included with each haircut in our shop. Once guys understand that we are willing and able to address the shaping of their beard, it's best if they leave that responsibility to us. This also gives me a great reason to see my guests more often.
Hot Tips for maintaining healthy hair in-between your salon visits:
Geneva Cowen, Artistic Director for Sam Villa: Be gentle when combing out your hair when wet. Always use a heat protector when using an iron or blow dryer. Minimize thermal heat exposure, using only when needed to maintain healthier hair. Use hair sunscreen when in the sun. Keep the integrity of your hair style and color by using salon professional product recommendations.
David Boyd, Sam Villa ArTeam: Split ends can become "infectious." This definitely applies to men as well and especially so in their beards. I love to use my 7” Dry Cutting Shear as my go to beard trimming shear. The same principle applies to beards in that, when trying to grow one out a baby trim every so often goes a long way. In addition to this, proper care and conditioning of the beard with the appropriate products can also help to avoid split ends and to aid in the grow out period.
Andrew Carruthers, Education Director for Sam Villa: Another Hot Tip on keeping hair healthy is minimizing the number of times you are washing and blow drying by using products like Redken Pillow Proof Extender for second or third day restyling. Doing spot touch ups with a straightening iron or curling iron is still better than putting your hair through the wash and blow dry process every day.
There you have it, straight from the pros! Now you have no excuses left, book that appointment and your hair will thank you!!!!
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