How To Get Away With Trimming Your Natural Hair Only Twice A Year

I’m confident that a lot of you can get away with only trimming your hair every six months because I have gone without a single trim since I first started my transition at the end of 2008.

Whether you’re returning natural without doing the big chop or have a TWA and would like to retain as much length as possible, you can use the following tips to help you.

I find that trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks to be a ridiculous rule and truly feel that it’s a ploy to get us in salons to pay stylists regularly for a service we don’t really need. I also feel that they use scare tactics, like saying that if we don’t, our split ends will travel up the shaft.

But I’m living proof that that’s a lie. My hair isn’t even, but I surely don’t have any portions that have broken off to my root or anywhere near there. Of course, it does help that I wear my hair in it’s natural state, because when worn straight, you can see my minor flaws in the ends, but still no crazy unevenness!

When you do go to get a trim every six months, don’t focus on cutting away all of the splits, just cut off an inch, if needed, so that you aren’t setting yourself back too gravely.

At this rate, you should be able to retain at least 4 of the 6 inches you could grow annually. Once you’ve reached your desired length, you can chop away. Now, here are my tips for stretching out your trimming sessions.

Change your  mindset for length retention

The first thing you absolutely must do is get your mind right. You can’t go into this with a mindset like other women who believe they can do whatever they want to their hair and still retain length.

So if you’re interested in wearing hair dyes, using harsh chemical hair products, weave*, braids or straightening your hair with heating tools, then your journey is going to be a long and hectic one. So keep in mind that you won’t be able to do these things if you truly want to retain length and avoid trims.

Give your hair a break from maintenance and styling

The natural community is obsessed with hair care regimens and if you ask me, a lot of them are a bit over the top. Your hair doesn’t really need that much attention, even when you’re transitioning.

Personally, I found that paying it little attention did best for my hair, allowing it to do what it does best…grow. So what this means is stop the frequent shampooing, which requires you to detangle more often.

This will lead to breakage and possible damage to your ends. Washing once every 7-10 days should be enough, since you won’t have buildup from using a bunch of products in your hair.

The way you style your hair should also be low-key, meaning it shouldn’t put too much strain on your hair. If you are wearing wash and go’s all the time, then this puts your strands at risk of breakage.

Try being more modest by wearing buns, scarves or even nicely styled cornrows. I don’t really like single braids because they seem to pull on your edges more than they should.

Straightening your hair should be put on the back burner as well, because not only does this damage your hair, but it will keep you looking to your ends.

Out of sight, out of mind works very well when you’re trying to retain length. So wear your natural kinks and curls, and you won’t notice your ends and be tempted to cut them.

Use natural products for maintaining the health of your hair and scalp

Other than protecting your hair from harsh regimens and mind states, you will also need to refocus your purchasing habits on completely natural hair products. So no more chemical shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and butters. These only cause more damage.

You’ll find that your hair can instead get plenty of nutrients from natural ingredients like marula, olive, moringa, coconut and baobab oils. I also recommend enhancing your oils with either herbs (horsetail, calendula, etc.) or essential oils* (rosemary*, lavender*, etc.)

Be extra generous with the oil on your ends (though I’m generous from midway to the ends). You can also make a liquid shampoo using herbs like shikakai*, amla, rosemary* and aritha, which will help to cleanse, nourish, condition and grow your hair.

Avoid using protein treatments

This is especially so for those who are transitioning. I was/am a transitioner — never cut off my chemical portions. Not once have I used a protein treatment.

I deem it unnecessary and even harsh for your hair follicles and lead to excess drying and breakage. Instead, focus on deep conditioning* your hair and using natural hair masks made with amalaki, shikakai*, brahmi, neem and bhringraj.

You just mix the powder form of these herbs to get a paste and apply it to your hair in sections. Then allow the paste to stay in your hair for 20-30 minutes. You can then shampoo it out and finish off the session with an herbal tea rinse.

These tips come from my own experience growing out my hair. I do feel like adding in nutritional smoothies will also help, since your hair growth starts from within. My preferred smoothies consist of moringa, Irish moss, bladderwrack, kelp and baobab. All of these can be found and purchased online.

So are you trying to retain length with chemically processed hair or did you do the big chop? What methods are you currently using to help keep from over-trimming your hair?