Will damaged hair grow back healthy if you cut it?

Author: Dr. Shanna Reynolds  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

You can grow damaged hair, but it will be more difficult and prone to dryness and split ends. I would recommend cutting off the damage before growing or at least getting regular trims during the grow-out.

Does cutting damaged hair help it grow?

No, cutting your damaged hair will not make it grow back healthier. Damaged hair is a result of overprocessing or physical damage, so cutting it won't make it healthier. You should focus on repairing the damage with deep conditioning treatments or protein treatments.

Will my hair grow back healthier if I cut it all off?

Cutting your hair short does not directly affect how it grows back in terms of thickness or evenness. Hair growth is determined by factors such as genetics, health, and hair care practices. However, cutting hair can make it appear healthier and more manageable, as it removes split ends and damage.

Should I cut my hair if it is damaged?

It's important to remember that fixing hair breakage is a process – you can't mend individually-broken strands. The best thing you can do to stop your hair breaking is go for a trim to get rid of as much damaged hair as you're comfortable with, then follow our advice below.

Will damaged hair grow back healthy?

Because hair is not a living tissue with regenerative ability, it cannot heal and repair. You can use oils, conditioners, hydrolyzed proteins or other ingredients to disguise the issues temporarily but it's akin to using makeup on the face.

How To Fix Damaged Hair

Can damaged hair go back to normal?

As we've noted, damaged hair repair isn't possible because the protein bonds and cuticles have been permanently altered. Instead, the focus should be on maintaining hair to prevent further damage. If your hair is severely damaged, the most extreme solution is to cut it off and start fresh.

Does trimming hair make it grow healthier?

“Cutting your hair won't make it grow faster," says Skye Edwards, artistic director Gielly Green, "but a regular refresh will keep strands healthier during that process as it prevents split ends from travelling up the hair shaft.” Something that is all the more important given the ends are the oldest part of your hair ...

Can you fix damaged hair by cutting it?

Let's address the elephant in the room: While there's a lot you can do to preserve damaged hair, sometimes your hair does need a fresh start. If you're dealing with severe hair breakage, a haircut is the only way to avoid breakage creeping further up your hair.

What haircut is best for damaged hair?

10 Hairstyles for Damaged Hair
  • Textured Bob. ...
  • Angled Lob. ...
  • Top Knot. Top it off with a fun, chunky high bun. ...
  • Make Waves. Play up the wave! ...
  • Shag. Very rock n' roll. ...
  • Choppy Layers. Choppy layers make your hair look thicker. ...
  • Messy Bun. Nerd chic. ...
  • Micro fringe and Bob. When in doubt, keep it short.

Will my hair be healthy if I cut it?

Does Cutting Hair Short Make it Healthier? Cutting your hair short can lead to healthier locks. Here's why: shorter hair is often synonymous with newer hair. You can reduce the strain on your roots and scalp by chopping off split ends and older sections.

Can damaged hair follicles grow back?

If you damage your hair follicles after an injury, they can repair themselves and your hair will grow back. It could take up to four years before you see new hair growth out of damaged hair follicles, depending on the severity of your injury.

Should I cut my hair if I want to grow it out?

For the reasons mentioned above, it's important to get a haircut even if you're trying to grow out your hair. Now, this doesn't mean you have to get a mega-chop at every haircut. We recommend getting a cut every 8-12 weeks for growth. Hair grows at an average of a 1/2 inch per month.

Will my hair grow back healthier if I cut it off?

The quick answer to “does trimming hair make it grow faster” is no, it doesn't. Hair growth starts at the scalp, so trimming off the dead ends doesn't actually make it grow faster. However, it makes it grow healthier, which is crucial if you want long luscious hair.

Can you repair extremely damaged hair?

“You can improve the quality of hair after slight chemical damage using bond-building products that will rebuild the amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in hair, however, you cannot restore split ends or breakage in severely damaged hair,” details Caspara.

How to get hair back healthy?

How to Get Healthier Hair – and keep it that way!
  1. Step 1: Wash your hair less often. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply conditioner properly. ...
  3. Step 3: Use a hair mask weekly or as needed. ...
  4. Step 4: Protect hair when heat styling. ...
  5. Step 5: Minimize hair processing such as dyes, perms, relaxers. ...
  6. Step 6: Protect hair when going in the sun or swimming.

What haircut hides a bad hairline?

Shaving down the sides of your hair with a stylish undercut can disguise your receding hairline, while a thick, tousled crop on top is the ideal distraction. You'll need good coverage across the crown and mid-scalp to pull off this look.

Is it better to tie hair up or leave it down when sleeping?

The Case for an Updo Before Bed

It's more about protecting your hair to reduce friction so you don't risk breakage or waking up with a tangled mess. If you have long hair, you can pull your hair back or put it up. If you choose to sleep with hair up, avoid metal or rubber hair ties, which can lead to breakage.

What hairstyle is healthiest for your hair?

Contents: Hairstyles for healthy hair:
  • Low bun.
  • Pulled-out dutch braid.
  • Half up, half down.
  • Messy bun.
  • Low ponytail.
  • Half top knot.
  • Space buns.
  • Braided bun.

Should I cut my hair because of breakage?

Think about split ends; it's hair that is so damaged that it begins to break and shred at the bottom of the strand. Split ends are a sign of hair breakage that needs to be trimmed to keep the strand from tearing up to the root.

Will my hair grow back after a bad haircut?

Look, hair only grows around a half-inch a month maximum — no matter what you do — so it will be a wait of at least four months to gain enough length to see a major difference. Use this time to encourage stronger, thicker, glossier hair by making diet changes that get you there.

How long does damaged hair take to heal?

Moderately damaged hair may start to return to its “usual self” in two to three months after using heat with caution & twice-weekly treatments, especially if you use treatments & ingredients such as jojoba oil that are specifically targeted at rebuilding your hair's protein & restoring its lipids.

Does hair grow back thicker if you cut it?

Cutting hair will not alter your hair density. The thickness of your hair strands is determined by factors like your genetics, environment, age, and health. However, while cutting hair won't make it grow thicker, it can certainly make it appear thicker. If you have split or dead ends, your hair can appear very thin.

What happens if you don't cut your hair for 2 years?

"If you don't cut your hair, it may appear to stop growing," said Vitale. This is because as the ends get older and split, those splits begin to travel up the hair and cause breakage. So those with long hair may feel like it stays the same length, due to the ends breaking at a similar point."

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