If you're growing out your hair [1], you likely face a difficult decision: keep the length you've been working so hard on or sacrifice it in favor of hair health [2]. But what if we told you there's a third option via a technique called "hair dusting," which allows you to keep your hair long [3] and healthy?

When split ends start to ruin your haircut, most people opt for a trim [4], which typically involves removing one to four inches of hair. Dusting, however, is the middle ground between getting a trim and avoiding a haircut [5] altogether.

Experts Featured in This Article

Leonardo Manetti [6] is a master stylist at Rob Peetoom Salon Williamsburg [7].

Devin Toth [8] is a hairstylist at Salon SCK [9] in New York City.

What Is Hair Dusting?

"Hair dusting is cutting a very small amount of hair," master stylist Leonardo Manetti tells PS. "It's similar to a trim, except there is less hair that is cut."

It's by no means a new technique — hairstylists have been offering it for years, and you may have received a dusting treatment before without even realizing it. "Every hair type would benefit from a dusting," Manetti says. However, if your hair is naturally very healthy and you don't mind removing an inch every time you visit the salon, you don't really need it.

Is Dusting Healthy For Hair?

Regular haircuts [10] are key to keeping your hair healthy. "You should get your hair cut about once every three months to remove your split ends," hairstylist Devin Toth previously told PS. However, if you're trying to grow your hair extra long, you may be tempted to go longer between cuts. That's where hair dusting comes in handy.

Dusting is designed to keep your hair healthy without sacrificing the length. "A dusting helps by [cutting] those ends that sound crunchy whenever you run your fingers through your hair," Manetti says. Getting your hair dusted regularly, in conjunction with using products designed to hydrate and strengthen your hair, is the best way to keep it healthy as it grows.

What's the Difference Between a Dusting and a Trim?

As previously mentioned, a dusting and a trim are very similar. "With a trim, you are a bit more generous with the scissors, whereas a dusting is [when] a very small amount of hair is removed," Manetti says. So the difference comes down to how much hair is cut.

How Often Should I Get a Hair Dusting?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should get a trim. "You should get your ends dusted as often as you'd like in between regular haircuts, especially if your hair is more prone to split ends," Manetti says. Ask your stylist how often they recommend you come in for a dusting to retain length and preserve hair health, and they should be able to give you a better idea of the timeframe.

Can I Dust My Own Hair?

It's not typically recommended to attempt to cut your own hair, but if you're going to give it a shot, dusting is a good place to start. Because dusting removes so little length, you can get away with performing it on yourself without ruining your professional haircut. (We still recommend seeing a professional whenever possible.) Keep scrolling for tutorials on how to dust different hair types.