Angela Kristas ' Hair Salon
Angela Laughner, Owner
Different people have different preferences when it comes to hair length. A lot of
men I know think that long hair on a woman is the ONLY way kind of style that looks
good. A lot of women I know cling to their long locks for many of the same reason.
Whatever the reasons, most people with long hair are adamant about keeping it long.
This is a good thing, as long as the hair is healthy.
Yet, we all know that the longer the hair is, the longer it's been exposed to the
tortures we put our hair through everyday. Sun, wind, blow-drying, pony-tail holders,
harsh shampoos, smog, pillows, and even poor diet can all take their toll on hair. In
order to keep your hair looking healthy, even if it's long, you must keep it trimmed.
On average, hair grows at a rate of about one-half inch (1.25cm) per month, and
typically the hair should be trimmed every 8 weeks. This means, between cuts, the hair
should have grown about an inch (2.5cm). If your hair is already the length you desire,
this means you have an inch to spare, and that inch is the part of the hair that has been
the most abused, most mistreated, and most damaged. In short, that inch is ready to
retire.
If you are trying to grow your hair longer, this means you can lose the least healthy
half-inch of hair with each trim and still gain 3 inches each year. It may seem like slow
progress, but you'll be happier with the results in the end.
Specific Reasons to Trim Long Hair
Sometimes, long hair gets damaged by environmental conditions, or specific styling
requirements. The results can be severe in the long term. The best way to tell if this is a
problem for you is to look at your hair when it's down and examine the density of the
hair both at the scalp area and the ends. Does your hair seem to "thin out" the longer
it gets? Do you have a lot of split ends? Does it get frizzy and frayed looking at the
ends
There is also the issue of split-ends - a common problem with longer hair. Split-ends
can be treated with protein rich conditioners to strengthen the hair, and with anti-frizz
serums that coat the hair and bind the ends back together temporarly.Trimming is necessary to remove these splits before they get worse.
The result will be a smoother, healthier-looking style, with no loss of length or
potential change in the style.
