I’m sure you’ve been told at least once in your life that keeping your hair trimmed makes your hair grow. Sorry to tell you, but that isn’t exactly true. Don’t worry though, because while trimming may not make your hair grow, getting regular trims can definitely help you retain the length you’ve worked so hard on. In addition to that, regular trims help keep your hair nice and healthy. You may be wondering how, why, and when you should get a trim.  In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 signs that your hair needs a trim along with how and when to get one.

Our hair tends to tell us what it needs. If it feels dry, it’s telling us it needs moisture. If it feels limp, it’s possible that it needs protein. If you’re not exactly sure what to look for in regard to trimming your ends, here are 5 signs to keep an eye out for.

Split and/or Rough Ends

This one seems obvious but sometimes people don’t realize how split their ends are. Did you know that if left uncut, a small split at the end of your hair can travel up the hair shaft causing even more damage to your strands? There are several reasons for split or rough ends. This includes excessive use of heat, lack of moisture, putting tension on your ends, or over manipulation. If you notice that your ends are starting to split or feel rough as you run your hands through them, it’s time for a trim.

Single Strand Knots

Single strand knots, also known as fairy knots, occur when a single strand of hair tangles upon itself creating a knot. If you wear your hair out often or constantly allow your ends to be exposed to the elements, then you may experience them more often. Single strand knots can make it difficult to detangle your hair and lead to breakage of your strands. So just do yourself a favor and trim your hair. Alternatively, you can do the search and destroy method. This method is the process of searching for single strand knots and only cutting the affected strands.

Your Hair is Always Tangled

This sign goes along with the first two. Split ends and single strand knots can cause your hair to tangle more often. The best way to prevent or lessen tangling is by getting rid of those rough, split, or knotted ends. Also, when your hair is always tangled it means that you have to detangle more often. Constantly detangling and putting extra stress on your strands can lead to hair breakage.

Thin Hair at the Bottom

Thinning ends is a sure sign that it is time for a trim. Using the wrong detangling tools, excessive combing, and brushing are all ways that can lead to your hair thinning at the bottom. Getting rid of thin ends will not only make your hair healthier, but your hair will look fuller as well.

Your Hair is Shedding a Lot

Hair shedding is normal but excessive shedding is not. We typically shed about 50-100 hair strands a day. So, if you find that you are losing more strands than that, especially on a regular basis, it’s time to evaluate your hair. Excessive shedding could be a sign that your hair isn’t thriving at its current length, something that you are ingesting (such as poor diet or medication) is leading to shedding, or that it’s simply time for a trim.

Now, let’s talk about how and when you should trim your hair. While some people elect to trim their ends at home, others require the eye and precision of a professional. Whatever you decide, make sure that you only trim your ends or have them trimmed, using hair shears. Regular scissors, such as those used to cut paper, are too dull to properly cut hair and can actually lead to even more split ends. The schedule in which you trim your hair varies from person to person. It is based on a number of factors such as hair health, the styles you wear, and how you take care of your ends on a regular basis. The general rule of thumb is to trim your hair with the seasons, 4 times a year.  Not everyone needs to trim that often so it’s important that you keep an eye out for the signs listed above.

Always keep in mind that the ends of your hair are the oldest and most fragile part. Giving your ends some TLC by keeping them moisturized, trimmed, and protected, will ensure that you are on the road to length retention and overall healthy hair. Also, don’t forget that healthy hair is what is most important. Don’t try to hold on to split ends just for the length. Clip the dead weight off and watch your hair flourish!