How Often Should Men Get a Haircut + 23 Most Trendy Hairstyles (Guide & Tips)

If you are like most men, you are continuously determining how often to trim your beard or get a haircut.

On average, our hair grows at a rate of half an inch every month and six inches yearly.

This length is relative and depends on the hair type.

For long hairstyles, you won’t see the difference as much.

However, a quarter-inch growth is a lot for haircuts like a precise line-up or a buzz cut.

So, how often you should get a haircut depends on your hair length, type, and the type of haircut you want.

How Often Should Men Get a Haircut

Barber’s advice on how often men should get a haircut differs from one barber to another.

In general:

Shaved Head – 1 to 3 Days

Men in this category must shave every three days to keep the scalp smooth. One factor to consider is skin sensitivity since shaving too frequently is bound to leave you with a sensitive scalp prone to razor burns and irritation.

Take at least a day between shaves if you fall in this category. If you want a smooth and shiny head, then shave every day. The truth is, regardless of how often you shave in the case of shaved head styles, remember to moisturize the scalp daily.

Detailed Haircuts and Very Short Hair – 1 to 2 Weeks

Ultra-short and precise detail cuts require frequent haircuts. Get a haircut every one to two weeks to maintain blurry fades, line-ups, tight tapers, hair designs and even beard fades.

Short and Medium-Short Men’s Haircuts – 1-3 Months

Short and medium haircuts require about one to 3 months between haircuts. For short hair, get a haircut every 4 to 6 weeks.

Medium and Long Hair – 6-9 Months

Whether you have long curls or a layered shag, a haircut is only necessary when you feel that your hair has grown too long or lost its shape. You can also get a haircut if your ends are damaged.

Factors to Consider

Hair Type

Curly hairstyles require more maintenance. For instance, the recommended haircut schedule for curly hairstyles for black men is every 3 to 4 weeks. That’s because curly hair tends to grow out quickly, thus becoming unruly.

Keeping up with regular haircuts is, therefore, key to maintaining a neat and clean appearance. Men with thick and long hair should consider getting a haircut every month since thick hair, if not trimmed, develops split ends.

You don’t need to get a haircut too often if you have short, thin hair. Your haircut schedule should be every 8 to 10 weeks to keep your hair looking full and help prevent it from looking shaggy and scraggly.

Hair Length

The longer the hair, the less frequent the haircuts need to be. For short haircuts, you need a haircut once every month. For medium-length haircuts, once every 1 to 2 months is enough.

For long hair, you can get a haircut every 3 to 6 months. If you combine your haircut with a fade or undercut, though, like in the case of comb-over fade haircuts, you need to visit the barber for a quick trim more often.

Hairstyle

Since there are so many men’s hairstyles today, the answer to how often you should get a haircut depends on the style you are going for and the current length of your hair.

Men’s short haircuts, like traditional short back and sides, require a haircut every 3 to 4 weeks. On the other hand, buzz cuts, crew cuts, or a skin fade require more maintenance, so visiting a barber every 2 to 3 weeks is necessary.

However, it isn’t an exact science since the frequency also depends on how fast your hair grows. If your hair grows quickly, you may need a haircut more often than hair that grows slowly.

The rule of thumb is to get a haircut every 4 to 6 weeks or every 8 to 10 weeks if your hair is long.

Active Lifestyle

Haircuts are vital if you live an active lifestyle to maintain a clean and professional look. The recommended schedule is every 4 to 6 weeks.

24 Most Popular Haircuts to Try

There are so many haircuts that you can try.

They include but are not limited to the following:

Textured Crop and Fade

A textured crop is one of the most popular hairstyles of men who want to sport a classic yet edgy look. It is stylish since the back and the sides are kept short. Combine it with a fade to complete the look.

Slick Back and Low Fade With Beard

The slick back and low fade is a perfect hairstyle for business professionals who don’t want to expose too much scalp. Combined with a well-groomed beard, it’s a classic look bound to give off a “gentleman” vibe.

Mid-Fade and Messy Spiky Top

Men who like daring and bold hairstyle can try the mid-fade and messy spiky top. There are many ways to pull off a medium fade, and this is one of them.

Low Bald Fade and Long Fringe

The low bald fade is defined by the hair on the sides that fades down to the skin. Add a long fringe on top to create a more sophisticated finish.

Messy Textured Hair and High Fade

Messy textured hair and a high fade are excellent options for men with thin hair. A textured look helps add volume and fullness.

Mid-Fade and Quiff

A mid-fade quiff is precisely what you need if you are going for a modern and stylish look. The hairstyle looks fantastic, thanks to the balance between the short sides and the high top.

A high quiff can elongate the face, so keep the sides longer to avoid over-slimming the appearance of the head.

Faux Hawk

The best way to wear a low fade is to pair it with a faux hawk. The faux hawk is a less dramatic version of the classic mohawk hairstyle.

Taper Fade and Wavy Hair Top

Styling wavy hair is always challenging, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t a style for you. Combining a taper fade and wavy hair on top makes for a stylish look.

Blonde Highlights With Design

If you want to add a dramatic twist to your short or medium hair, bold highlights will do. Combine that with a cool neckline design, and you will have a stylish look.

Brush Up and Fade

This is one of the best hairstyles for straight hair. Fade the sides and then brush back the remaining hair to complete the look.

Disconnected Undercut

You can never go wrong with a disconnected undercut. The haircut always looks highly defined and extremely posh. The best thing is that it suits almost all hair types.

A disconnected undercut is where the sides of the head appear “disconnected” from the top hair. The longer hair doesn’t have a smooth transition to the short hair on the sides, thus creating a more abrupt effect.

Spiked Fringe With Faded Sides

This is another great haircut for men with medium-length straight hair. The sides are faded, and the hair that remains on top is styled into a spiky fringe or a textured top.

Bald Fade and Wavy Side Swept Fringe

If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, this is the hairstyle for you. Fade the sides and back close to the scalp, and then sweep the hair on top to the side.

Long Brush Back and Low Skin Fade

If you have straight hair, get a low skin fade and brush back the hair that remains on top. You can even add highlights to some strands to stand out even more.

Medium Length Hair and Faded Sides

If you have thick and straight hair, fade the sides and then tousle the remaining hair to create a textured look.

Skin Fade and Full Beard

For men with thin hair and bald spots, a skin fade can be a great way to hide their shortcomings. Combine that with a full beard for a more masculine look.

Hard Part Comb-Over

A hard part is cut into your hair with a razor or trimmer and provides a clear definition that helps makes a big statement. Most hairstyles and lengths can be combined with a hard part like pompadours, quiffs, and comb-overs.

Short Curly Hair and Line Up

This is one of the best curly hairstyles for black men. It involves a low bald fade plus short curly hair on top.

Razor Fade

A razor fade is a haircut where the hair on the sides and back is shaved, making it stand out from a classic undercut since the sides are completely shaved.

Undercut Comb-Over

In an undercut comb-over, the sides are buzzed, and the top is styled like an undercut comb-over, except the hair is flipped at the forehead rather than slicked.

Undercut and Quiff

The undercut and quiff is a great style for men who want to change their hairstyle to something trendy.

Pompadour and Undercut Fade

Can you think of any other hairstyle that is as stylish as an undercut fade pompadour? The style combines elegant classics with modern trends. Trim or fade the sides, then cut the hair on top gradually from the longest to the shortest at the back.

Comb-Over Fade and Beard

A comb-over is a classic hairstyle that has stood the test of time. It became popular in the 1920s. Today, it is no longer a reserve of only vintage lovers; it has made a comeback as a modern and sophisticated hairdo.

Adding a modern twist like a fade and well-groomed beard revamps the vintage look creating a stylish and edgy finish that befits any modern man.

Hard Side Part and High Fade

Businessmen who prefer an extra edge to their style can combine the modern high fade with a hard part.

How to Style and Maintain a Haircut Between Visits

So, how do you maintain your haircut in between barbershop visits?

Step 1 – Choose the right one

The first thing that you should consider when choosing a hairstyle is your facial features and head shapes. There are hairstyles for men with big foreheads and others for men with longer faces. Know where you fall and choose a hairstyle that complements your facial features.

Another factor to consider is how often you want to go to a barber. Combining a skin fade or undercut with cool braids or dreadlock styles will require regular visits to the barber shop to maintain the contrast.

Step 2 – Crucial styling tips

Always ensure you use the right products and tools when styling your hair. Some hairstyles require using products with a stronghold to keep the locks in place. Invest in the right products and tools and learn how to style your hair at home.

Step 3 – Maintain it

Maintaining your hair means keeping it looking clean and fresh. Wash your hair regularly with quality shampoo and then condition it to keep it looking healthy. You also need to ensure that you don’t over-wash it; 2 to 3 times a week is more than enough.

Step 4 – Best products to use

Depending on your chosen hairstyle, you may need hair gel, wax, pomade, and styling spray to maintain it. You should also invest in shampoo and conditioner to keep your strands looking healthy.

Quick Tips for Finding a Good Hairdresser

How do you find a good hairdresser that will meet all your needs?

Consider the Location

Search for men’s hair salons using Google, social media, or asking around.

Professionalism

If someone is to become your regular hairdresser, you must ensure that they meet specific standards like cleanliness and their style of choice. Also, consider the services they offer and whether they fit into what you are looking for.

Communication

Your hairdresser or stylist needs to be able to listen to you. Once you’ve narrowed down on a hair salon, check to see how receptive the hairdresser is to your ideas.

Common Haircut Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t grow your hair too long if you don’t have the stamina to maintain it. While long hairstyles are luscious and look good, maintenance is a different ball game. The styling and cleaning are grueling compared to shorter hairstyles.
• Don’t use too much products. Product overuse like hair pomade, gel, and wax is uncomfortable and creates build-up that makes your hair look weird no matter how stylish the haircut is.
• Avoid going for a hairstyle because you saw it on a celebrity. Your barber is the best person to advise you on a suitable hairdo, depending on your hair texture and thickness.
• Don’t cut or color your hair at home. Full bleaches can result in yellow and fried hair, hair that’s too dark for your complexion, or block-colored tones that don’t look like your natural hair. Go to a hairstylist instead. They know better about the best hairstyles for men with dark and white hair.
• Avoid using dual-in-one hair products. A 2-in-1 shampoo or conditioner may sound good, but it doesn’t do the right job. The shampoo helps open up the pores releasing product and dirt build-up, while a conditioner closes the pores and injects the much-needed moisture back into the skin. 2-in-1 products don’t work that way. Instead, buy quality hair shampoo and conditioner for an extra $5 or $10.

FAQ

What to tell your barber if you’re growing your hair?

Take a photo and show it to your barber, so they see what you are trying to achieve. From there, they’ll be able to advise you on how often you should get a haircut.

How long does a haircut look fresh?

To maintain an ultra-fresh look, you will need to get the back and sides shaved every one to two weeks. If you are okay with the extra growth, an average of three to four weeks will do.

Should I get a haircut every 2 weeks?

If you have very short hair, you should get a haircut every week or once every three weeks, depending on your hair growth rate. If you are sporting a buzz cut, fade, tapered cut, or shaved head, get a haircut once every two weeks to keep the sides looking clean.

Is a haircut every 2 months too much?

A haircut every two months is not too much if your hairstyle requires you to. The average timeframe is 3 to 4 months, but then it comes down to your hairstyle, hair type, and growth rate.

How long do fades last?

Tight fades last at least two to three weeks before requiring maintenance. Once every four to six weeks is ideal for a more classic haircut.

What happens if you don’t cut your hair for a year?

Your hair will develop split ends that will likely split further up the hair shaft, eventually causing a snap that stops your hair from growing long.

How long does it take to get a haircut on average?

If you don’t require any special hair treatment or styling, it should take an average of 15 to 20 minutes.

Conclusion

And that brings us to the end of how often men should get a haircut. To recap, it depends on the hairstyle you’re going for, your hair type, your hair growth rate, and your lifestyle.