How often do you really need to get your haircut?

Image: iStock.

It’s probably the most common lie people tell their hairdresser – how long it was since their last haircut.

“Oh, about six weeks? I’ve lost track,” I’ve said countless times. In reality, it’s been a lot closer to six months. They know. I know they know. We both proceed on awkwardly.

Getting your hair done can be a costly exercise, so it’s not something you really want to be doing too frequently, but how often should you really be getting your hair cut? And is the “six week rule” really a thing?

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According to Edwards and Co‘s Byron Turnbull, there’s not a one size fits all answer.

“It totally all depends on your hair and the style your stylist has cut in. I personally recommend my female clients with short to medium-length hair every five weeks,” he explains.

This is due to the high maintanence of the length.

“Generally you’re working off the round/shape of the hair when dealing with short hair, so this makes it really obvious when it starts to grow out,” he says.

For those with medium to long hair, Turnbull says you can leave it between two to three months. (Post continues after gallery.)

“Fringes are also high maintenence,” says Aleks Abadia of Esstudio Galleria.

“But if you do have a fringe you can pop in for a fringe trim in between visits –  a lot of salons now offer this as a free service to regular clients.”

Stressing that your hairdresser will reprimand you if you do extend the length between appointments even longer than three or so months?

“You always can, your stylist doesn’t take it personally,” says Turnbull.

"Just be honest so your stylist can give you a style and cut that will last the length of time that you're actually going to leave in between hair cuts."