When it comes to growing long, healthy hair, skipping salon visits may seem like a good idea—after all, fewer trims mean more length, right? Not so fast. Dawna Jarvis, a seasoned hairstylist and salon owner, sets the record straight about why regular trims are essential for long-term hair health.
According to Jarvis, a common misconception is that trimming your hair makes it grow faster. “The reason hairstylists encourage regular trims is not to speed up growth, but to keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends from getting out of control,” she explains. Without trimming, split ends can travel up the hair strand, leading to breakage.
“If you don’t trim a split end within six to eight weeks, it will only worsen, eventually causing the strand to break off entirely,” Jarvis warns. “So when my clients say they want to grow their hair but refuse to get it cut, I tell them it’s a bad idea.”
Neglecting regular trims can leave you with “mostly broken and dead” ends by the time you finally return to the salon. On the flip side, trimming helps your hair grow healthier, not necessarily faster, by eliminating the damage that hinders growth.
Jarvis advises clients to consider a “no haircut haircut,” a subtle trim that removes only the split ends and maintains healthy hair without losing much length. “You won’t even know we did it, but it keeps your hair looking healthy and strong,” she suggests.
In addition to maintaining healthy hair, Jarvis also shared some tips for women over 50. For this age group, she recommends opting for lighter highlights around the face to add brightness and a youthful glow. “It’s like having a natural sun-kissed look, which is very flattering,” she says.
While regular salon visits are key, at-home care also plays a crucial role in hair health, including proper washing techniques and avoiding harmful ingredients.
