Well, I'm in this longhair journey for the third time of my life and am only 2 months in but my hair had gotten so damaged back in January that I cut it short 2 months ago so no more hair was breaking off in my hands but with the intention of growing it out again but healthy this time. My sister in law is a hairdresser and was surprised I did this after having long hair for 18 years...but I actually had been thinking about it for a year. So she said she would help me keep it healthy and recommended hair trims of a 1/4" every 6-8 weeks. I graciously accepted her help but at the same time wondered if that time period could be lengthened with good hair care practices and that's what I did for 2 months-no hair dryers and oil to keep my hair moisturized (argan oil is real good-but not much).
This weekend was 9 weeks and she did the 1/4" trim but told me there wasn't much of a slit end to cut and I could have waited another month. So now I'm good for at least 3 months I figure so it'll be done again in July.
I think the 6-8 week regular trim that hair stylist are taught doesn't pertain to what's really needed for every customer. I'm not even convinced that 3 months is when a trim is needed for me to keep the hair healthy but I'll see.
Marty
I too am on my 3rd long hair journey of my life. Cant say I was ever a fan of trimming. I did it every 6 months. Never really wanted to cut it.
Steve
My hair is thin and wavy-easily damaged it seems. From what Bill was saying on his longhair care page, straight hair is stronger and I would think this means not as easily damaged. My problem when I've grown my hair out is that I can never get it beyond my shoulders. I'm trying to do everything right this time and hopefully I won't come to the conclusion in a couple years that I have a genetically shorter terminal length than others.
I have never been a fan of hair trims either...the stylists seem to always take too much till now since I found one I trust. But the popular saying with hairstylists is that everybody should have regular trims every 6-8 weeks for healthy hair. Not always true and I'm aiming for every 6 months.
Once it gets to my shoulders it'll be long enough to actually see the split ends and cut the ends myself.
Marty
A good hairstylist is incomparable when embarking on the journey to long hair (ironic as it sounds.) I think the initial gauge of 6-8 weeks was a good guess for someone who is unfamiliar with your hair, and after seeing it and recommending an additional month between trims tells me that she is looking out for your best hair intentions. I go about three to four months between trims and clean up cuts. If I go too long, I start to spot the splits, and also notice how hair isn't growing/hanging symmetrically.
Months ago when I realized how damaged my hair really was, it was because of about 17 years of neglect of not watching my hair's health and then 1 year of trying to fix what I messed up. So now I'm going to watch it. Right now it still feels soft and isn't breaking in my hands and I would think this is how it should be. Once I get it to my shoulders I'll be able to see the split ends.
Live and learn...unfortunately it took me 46 years. I watched a lot of hair care youtube videos and most were girls with longhair that learned this by their 20s. Apparently most guys never worry about hair care except here!
Marty
Sorry, late reply. Hope you get this.
Everyone is different. My hair is pretty fine and I get bad split ends, even when I'm taking good care of my hair. I have. gone three months without a trim but that's the absolute limit. If I wait longer, I have to loose more off the ends. I tend to go for 2.5 months between trims.
So just pay attention. Sounds like your SIL is looking out for you!