Wait! Don't Let Your Stylist Cut Your Hair Wet (2024)

For some hair types, it could lead to a disaster 'do.

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Wait! Don't Let Your Stylist Cut Your Hair Wet (1)

Every visit to the salon generally goes like this: You consult with the stylist, they take you into the back and wash your hair, then you come back to the chair and get your hair cut. Sound familiar? So when PopSugar recently shared that celebrity stylist Jon Reyman said you should never get your hair cut wet, I was surprised — after all, the majority of haircuts are performed on wet hair.

His reasoning was simple: You don't wear your hair wet, so why should you get it cut wet? "A good haircut needs to look good straight, wavy, up, down," Reyman told PopSugar. "[So] if your hair looks excellent smooth and straight, it's going to look excellent styled in a number of ways."

Reyman's explanation makes sense, but does this mean we've been getting our hair cut incorrectly all along? To find out, we decided to ask another pro. And boy are we happy we did. Donna Tripodi, master stylist at Eva Scrivo Salon in New York City, says that it really depends on your hair type. "Hair can stretch up to 50% past where it naturally falls when wet, so your stylist should take into consideration where the shrinkage will be," she tells Good Housekeeping. Note: This is especially true if you have curly hair.

For most textures, Tripodi actually recommends trimming hair while it's slightly damp. "If it's towel-dried and a lot of moisture is taken out of the hair, but you can still see its natural texture, that's a generally good time to cut it," she explains. "If you start combing through and cutting the traditional way on dry curls, you can actually alter the natural texture."

Fine hair is the only hair type that she absolutely says should be cut dry. "When fine hair is wet, it doesn't seem as thick — in fact, it may look like a quarter the amount of hair as when it's dry," Tripodi explains. "If it's wet, you might wind up taking more hair off than you need to cut."

The takeaway? Know your hair and do research to find a stylist who you can trust to help you determine the best technique for your mane.

Wait! Don't Let Your Stylist Cut Your Hair Wet (2)

Sam Escobar

Contributor

Sam's enthusiasm for makeup is only rivaled by their love of all things relating to cats. In their spare time, they enjoy watching scary movies, putting avocado on everything, and seeing how many shades of the rainbow they can dye their hair before 30.

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Wait! Don't Let Your Stylist Cut Your Hair Wet (2024)

FAQs

Wait! Don't Let Your Stylist Cut Your Hair Wet? ›

For most textures, Tripodi actually recommends trimming hair while it's slightly damp. "If it's towel-dried and a lot of moisture is taken out of the hair, but you can still see its natural texture, that's a generally good time to cut it," she explains.

Is it okay to go to the hairdresser with wet hair? ›

Is It Okay to Come In With Wet Hair? Yes and no. If you're getting a cut, we'll typically wash your hair for you, but if you've already showered and have wet hair then that's perfectly acceptable.

Do hairdressers prefer to cut hair wet or dry? ›

Pastor explains that when your hair is wet, it can be difficult for stylists to see how layers will look in your mane. This can often lead to unbalanced haircuts. If you're heading back to the salon to fix a cut that looks a bit wonky, be sure your stylist cuts your hair while it is dry.

Is it okay to cut your hair while it's wet? ›

Cutting your hair wet can help you get clean lines without worrying about the natural movement of the hair adding a level of risk. It's easier to do than dry cutting (which is why it's the more popular method of hair cutting) because it restricts movement of the hair and allows for straight lines.

Is it better to thin hair wet or dry? ›

Should you use thinning shears on wet or dry hair? Generally best used on dry hair but can also be used on wet. If used on wet hair, you need to be extra careful to not over use them. Once the hair is dried you may realise the style/cut has been lost or even ruined!

Can I wet my hair before a haircut? ›

If you're just getting your bangs trimmed or touched up, your stylist might cut your hair while it's wet or dry — or a mix of the two. Like with layers and curls, this allows you to get a more precise cut. It's best to have your hair clean and dry in this instance just in case your stylist opts to cut it dry.

Is wet hair unprofessional? ›

Whether it's OK depends on your specific role.

As FGB'er LadyPele pointed out, for those who work in customer-facing roles, arriving to work with wet hair may have a bigger impact on your professional image than it does for others.

Why do some hairdressers cut hair when it's dry? ›

Dry hair cutting: precision and control

Working with dry hair allows us to see its natural texture, curls, and any irregularities more clearly. This enables us to make more precise cuts that adapt to the individual characteristics of each client's hair.

Why do stylists cut hair dry? ›

Bames says that dry cuts really help the stylist see the hair naturally when cutting, which helps them give clients their desired cut. She adds that a dry cut will benefit hair that is weak or damaged since you're spending less time putting it under stress.

Does hair cut better clean or dirty? ›

Whichever way you choose to cut it, it is best for it to be clean. If you prefer to cut curly hair dry, washing hair before a haircut is still beneficial. When it is clean you can then dry it yourself to make sure it is styled into its natural fall.

What is a wet cut at the hairdressers? ›

A wet cut is when the hairdresser sprays your hair with water to dampen it down then cuts it. Usually for very short hair or for children who don't usually have a hair wash at the salon. They'll give the hair a quick blast with the hair dryer to dry it but there's no styling involved.

How often should you cut your hair? ›

While there is no set rule as to how often you should cut your hair, there is a generic time frame that hairstylists and salon professionals recommend. General guidelines for cutting hair suggest that you should get a cut every six to eight weeks, however, this timeframe isn't a one-size-fits-all deal.

How often should I trim my hair? ›

Both experts agree that you should trim hair every six weeks, at a minimum. When it comes to cutting medium hair, both Polko and De León agree that it'll depend on a few different factors, such as your hair texture and how fast your hair naturally grows.

Does hair look thicker when wet? ›

The more you saturate your hair with water, the more water seepage. It makes your hair appear thinner and less thick. Water molecules are heavier than air molecules, which gives a sense of clumping together.

Are dry haircuts better? ›

When you dry cut you really get to see the movement of the hair, where most of the weight is and how much really needs to be cut off, says Ungaro, making it an ideal choice for fine or thin hair as well. One more bonus: You can see split ends more clearly when the hair is dry!

Is it better to cut men's hair wet or dry? ›

Anything wet is hard for the razor to get through and it will ruin your clippers,” Capizzano explains. If you're a beginner and cutting your hair with scissors and a comb or your fingers, however, the pro recommends doing it while hair is wet because it'll be easier to work with. “Wet hair is moldable.

Is it best to cut thick hair dry? ›

Thick hair may be best to cut wet and then the bulk or thickness to be taken out when dry. If you want to keep or work with curly and wavy hair formation then this is better to be seen when dry and freshly washed. If you're a barber cutting men's hair then this comes down to personal preference.

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