When it comes to natural hair care, trims can feel like the one step many people are hesitant about.
After all, if the goal is length retention, why cut off precious inches? The truth is, avoiding trims doesn’t help your hair grow longer, in fact, it often does the opposite.
Skipping regular trims can lead to a series of setbacks that affect both the health and appearance of your natural hair.
The ends of your hair are the oldest and most fragile part of each strand. Over time, they naturally experience wear and tear from styling, manipulation, and environmental stressors. Without trims, these ends are more prone to splitting. Once a split end forms, it doesn’t stay neatly at the tip, it travels upward along the hair shaft. This results in further breakage, frizz, and thinning ends that make your hair look less full and healthy.
Another common issue that arises when you skip trims is single-strand knots, also known as fairy knots. These tiny tangles often form at the ends of curly and coily hair, making detangling sessions longer and more frustrating. Left untreated, knots can snag on combs, brushes, or even other strands, causing more breakage.
Skipping trims also affects your hair’s overall shape and manageability. If you’re rocking styles like twist-outs, braid-outs, or wash-and-gos, uneven ends can make your curls look frayed instead of defined. Protective styles may not last as long either, since frayed ends are more likely to poke through braids or unravel prematurely.
Contrary to popular belief, trimming doesn’t stop growth, it helps you retain it. Hair grows from the scalp, but trimming keeps the ends strong enough to hold onto that growth. Think of it as routine maintenance: just like you service a car to keep it running smoothly, your hair needs trims to stay in good condition.
Most stylists recommend trimming every 8–12 weeks, depending on your hair’s needs and how often you style it. If you notice excessive breakage, rough ends, or a lot of knots, it may be time for a cut. By keeping up with trims, you’ll notice your hair feels healthier, styles last longer, and your journey to length retention becomes much smoother.
