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 visit 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.