Interval Trained

There are many things the salon industry promotes which are often nothing more than an attempt to monetise a woman's desire to look and feel good. The idea that hair should be cut every 6 weeks is one salon recommendation which is completely ridiculous. If a hairdresser cannot design and execute a cut which can support the growth which occurs in just 6 weeks, they simply aren't very skilled or are attempting to have a client come in frequently purely for financial gain. With all but the very very shortest of cuts, designing with growth in mind alleviates the need for such regular maintenance. Too, with a longer interval between cuts, a client has the opportunity for greater control over changes in style.

 So what is the recommended interval between cuts? Roughly the following: chin length and shorter: 10-12 weeks. Chin to collarbone lengths: 3-4 months. Collar bone to armpit lengths: 4-6 months. Below armpit length: 6 months or longer. Keep in mind a cut absolutely needs to be designed and cut to support growth. With that accomplished, these intervals are all very achievable. In certain (and primarily shorter) instances a client will likely need to learn to manage subtle styling changes as it grows, but having a good cut to begin with makes this a much easier task. I actively encourage clients to appreciate the process of growing out a haircut and to book in when the shape fully has stopped cooperating. This is entirely possible with work which is well designed.

A great haircut is similar to fine dining or transforming massage experiences. Attempting to enjoy these things too often leads to decreased satisfaction in short order. As hairdressing is a personal service, supportive practices are vital and lead to the possibility of an enduring relationship between client and practitioner. A haircut which grows out well enables the client to appreciate it for a longer period of time, enabling future experiences to be similarly rewarding each and every time.