In picture Natural Hair Rules and Dickey of Hair Rules
One of the most asked questions is about cutting natural hair. How to and how often should you trim your natural hair? Even the most experienced hair guru have conflicting views on this topic. 
There’s a rumor that clipping your ends or trimming your hair is unnecessary. This is false. Your hair will seriously suffer from a lack of maintaining your ends. I can testify to that. I am so sad to say. Read more here
According to Dickey, Creator of Hair Rules & Stylist to celebs such as Alicia Keys, Kelis and Michelle Obama you should schedule a trim every three to four months. At this time the hair shaft begins to split naturally. Regular trims maintain the shape of your style and remove naturally splitting ends. Hair grows 1/4 to 1/2 inch a month. If ends are clipped regular, you will only remove about 1/4 inch or less. Leaving you with noticeable growth and length retention. Caring for your ends properly in between trims by sealing your ends with hair butters or oils can prolong the need for a trim.
Cut the hair when it’s straight and dry (it doesn’t have to be flat-ironed, but it should be blow-dried so you can actually see the ends that you’re cutting–you can’t see this accurately when it’s curly). If you see knots at the ends of your hair, that hair will break off on its own if left unattended. Single- Strand Knots are a sign that you need a trim. Read more about single-strands here.
Types of Hair Trims
1. Blow Out Hair and Trim Dry- This technique is described above and highly recommended for a proper trim.
2. Clipping Curly Hair Wet – Some prefer this technique because the hair is flexible and can be stretch for trimming. The downside is that you can’t see ends that need to be removed or the actual shape over your hair. Simply bad for business, that’s all I have to say!!!
3. Dusting – There are many Youtube tutorials on this technique. The hair is plaited in two-strand twist and the ends of the twist are cut. Not only is it impossible to see what you’re cutting but your hair will be different lengths. This is the best way to get helmet shape hair where the hair is flat in the back and lacks movement. Needless to say I don’t recommend it at all.
I am loooong overdue for a trim – last time was probably 6 months ago! Will get it done asap. Very helpful post. Thanks for sharing
Great post! I think trimming is necessary as well. If your ends are split and breaking off, you need to let them go. I haven’t seen too many people than can maintain healthy ends without trimming.
I know it’s time for a trim when the ends of my twists start getting tangled. Trim trim trim!
Common sense should over rule all else. This is how i
started trimming my hair. Wash, condition, blow dry and being that
i was not that good with siccors i would go to Super Cuts of
something, Then i found Youtube and tried other methods then went
to not trimming at all. These two not being good. So i know i am
going back to wash, condition, blow dry, and some place like super
cuts.
Hi, I have to disagree. Twisting your hair to trim is an
effective way to trim IF all you want to do is get rid of bad ends.
E.g. if you don’t see alot of splitting or damage then you’d be
fine. Also, if you have to trim by yourself, this way of trimming
it the best because you can always see or feel how much you are
trimming. Just wanted the point out the goods.
Good points. Dusting should only be done as a last resort. But if you want a good even shape to your hair it is not the best option.
I disagree. If you really want to grow your hair really long it doesn’t need trimming. Just take good care of it. Look at Teri’s hair, she hasn’t trimmed it in 10 years & it’s supper healthy & long.
http://www.tightlycurly.com
Keep in mind Teri has a very different hair texture. This is how you determine your hair needs, not solely based on what some else is doing. The suggestion in the post come from individual who have both studied and done hair for years.
Does it matter if you use clippers instead of scissors for trimming?
I would use hair shear for an even trim.
I would use hair shear for an even trim.
I am definitely in need of a trim. I am going to watch it tomorrow, flat iron it and get it trimmed. I’ve been transitioning since April and my hair has grown alot. I want to get a good, healthy trim so I won’t have to big chop.