How Often Should Men Get Haircuts? Barber-Approved Guide

Haircuts aren’t one-size-fits-all, and how often you need one really depends on your hair and the look you’re going for. Business Insider states that men typically should get haircuts based on the length of their hair and style - shorter cuts will require regular touchups, while longer hair allows greater flexibility, including the potential to go longer than a month between cuts. That common advice is just a guideline; it’s not set in stone.

The main deciding factor is the length and style of your hair. Short haircuts, particularly styles with very short sides, need a bit of high-maintenance and require more frequent visits, about every two weeks, to keep them neat. On the other hand, long hair, approximately an inch or two all over, is good to go for a whole month between haircuts without losing its style. You should consult professional barber stylist in your region. 

This article will explore the topic in detail, giving us the answer to the question, how often do men get haircuts? Continue reading to know more!

General Guidelines for Different Hair Lengths

As indicated by Healthline, the frequency of haircuts will be influenced by your individual hair length, hair style, and overall health of your hair, rather than adhering to a rigid schedule (ie, every 4-6 weeks). Some hairstyles require trimming regularly to maintain their shape, while others may simply grow out and not appear out of place when they do so.

Knowing where your hair falls on that spectrum makes it easier to decide when it’s time for your next cut.

Short Hair

If you have short hair, it is very important to get it regularly trimmed. When you have a pixie cut, a bowl cut, or a trendy crop, it is almost impossible not to show new growth pretty quickly. Generally, getting a haircut twice a month is enough for the majority of people to keep your hair looking in good order. Some of them can leave it for four weeks, but after that, short hairstyles generally begin to lose their shape.

Since short hair is very close to the face, even a little extra length can make it look less polished. That’s why quick, consistent trims make such a difference.

Medium Hair

Medium-length hair covers styles like long bobs, shoulder-length cuts, shags, and layered looks. These cuts are a bit more forgiving as they grow out, especially if the style is softer and less structured.

If you want to keep the same length, aim for a trim every six to eight weeks. If you’re growing it out, you can wait a bit longer, usually around eight to twelve weeks, without it looking awkward.

Long Hair

Long hair provides you with the most styling options. Unless you are regularly applying heat or dyes to your locks, you can sometimes extend the period between haircuts to several months. Generally, folks with lengthy hair can get by with a haircut once every three to six months, depending on the style chosen.

That said, long hair can be more fragile. If it starts to feel thin or you notice split ends, it’s probably time for a trim, even if you have not hit that time mark yet.

Layers

Layered hair usually needs a little extra attention. Layers around the face can grow out fast and start to look heavy or uneven. A trim every four to six weeks helps keep everything looking balanced.

If your haircut has lots of choppy or textured layers, you may want to come in closer to every six weeks to keep the style looking intentional and tidy.

Factors That Affect How Often Men Should Cut Their Hair

Hair Type and Texture

Your hair type plays a big role in how often you need a haircut. Straight hair tends to show growth more quickly, especially with shorter styles. Wavy and curly hair are usually more forgiving, as the texture helps hide length changes and uneven growth. That’s why some men with curls can go longer between cuts without it being obvious.

Hair Growth Rate

Everyone’s hair grows at a slightly different pace. Some men notice their hair looks overgrown after just a couple of weeks, while others can wait much longer. Genetics, age, and even lifestyle habits can affect how fast your hair grows, which is why there’s no perfect schedule that works for everyone.

Desired Hairstyle

The style you want to maintain makes a big difference. Clean, sharp cuts need regular trims to keep their shape, while relaxed or longer styles can grow out more naturally. If your goal is to keep a polished look, you’ll likely need more frequent haircuts. If you prefer something low maintenance, you can usually stretch the time between cuts.

Lifestyle and Personal Grooming Habits

Professional Appearance

Your work environment strongly influences how often you should cut your hair. Men in corporate or client-facing roles often stick to clean fades, side parts, or tapered cuts, which usually need trimming every two to four weeks to stay sharp. These styles remain popular in professional grooming trends.

Men working remotely or in creative industries often choose textured crops or medium-length styles that grow out more naturally, allowing for longer gaps between cuts.

Active Lifestyle

An active routine can shorten the lifespan of a haircut. Regular workouts, outdoor sports, or activities like running and cycling increase sweat and friction, which can affect scalp health and styling. That’s why short athletic cuts and buzz-style fades remain trending among active men:
Longer styles can still work, but they often need reshaping sooner if they start to feel heavy or harder to manage.

Hair Care Routine

The way you treat your hair daily matters too. Frequent shampooing, heat styling, and chemical treatments can cause dryness and split ends, leading many people to trim more often, roughly every 6–8 weeks, to keep hair healthy. In contrast, a gentle routine with conditioning and minimal heat lets you go a bit longer between trims. L’Oréal Paris recommends trimming every six to eight weeks for general maintenance, with longer intervals if your hair is healthy and you’re growing it out. 

Signs It’s Time for a Haircut

Split Ends and Damage

Split ends and rough texture are clear signs it’s time for a trim. Even if you’re growing your hair out, cutting damaged ends helps prevent further breakage and keeps hair looking fuller.

Style Losing Shape

When your haircut no longer sits right, sides stick out, or layers feel uneven, the shape is gone. Many trending men’s styles are designed to grow out well, but once structure disappears, a trim restores balance.

Comfort and Confidence

Often, the biggest sign is how you feel. If your hair feels uncomfortable, harder to style, or just doesn’t look good anymore, it’s probably time. Many men book haircuts simply to regain that clean, confident look.

Conclusion

There’s no single schedule that works for everyone. Your job, lifestyle, activity level, and hair care habits all affect how often you should get a haircut. Paying attention to hair health and how your style grows out will help you find the right balance between maintenance and flexibility. It is recommended to consult hair professionals like stylist at Naamza, a barbershop Los Angeles.

FAQs

1: How often should men get haircuts on average?

Ans: Most men get a haircut every 3 to 6 weeks, but the ideal timing depends on hair length, style, and how quickly your hair grows.

2: Can you go longer between haircuts if you’re growing your hair out?

Ans: Yes, longer styles usually allow more time between trims, often 8 to 12 weeks or more, as long as you’re keeping split ends and damage under control.

3: What’s the biggest sign it’s time for a haircut?

Ans: When your style loses shape, becomes hard to manage, or no longer makes you feel confident, it’s a good sign a trim is overdue.