Is It Better to Cut Hair Wet or Dry? Pros Explain

For all the many hair-cutting techniques out there, there are two that reign supreme: dry cuts and wet cuts. These days, more and more people seem to be opting for the former, leaving us to wonder if there is even a need to have your hair washed and conditioned beforehand. Why bother with the extra step? Are dry haircuts actually better than wet cuts?

Wet haircuts and dry haircuts are basically what they sound like. A wet cut is when your hair is cut after a shampoo and conditioning treatment, while a dry cut is simply cutting hair when it's completely dry. There are different benefits to each.

Celebrity hairstylist Ashley Gomila says that many of her clients usually go for the wet cut as they need their hair cleansed and detangled beforehand, adding that wet cuts are suitable for all hair types. Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons adds that wet cuts are especially great for those with naturally straight hair or layered cuts, because they help the stylist avoid harsh lines with those hair types.

Meet the expert

• Ashley Gomila is a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
• Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of haircare line Andrew Fitzsimons.
• Yetty Bames is a hairstylist at Sharon Dorram Color at the Sally Hershberger Salon.

One of the biggest benefits of dry cuts is the time saved on the cutting process. Gomila says that dry cuts take up typically half as much time as a wet cut, since you're cutting out the shampoo, conditioning, and drying time. As an added bonus, dry cuts are sometimes priced a bit lower. "If I'm just trimming bangs or doing a quick split-end dusting, I can save my client some money by scheduling a dry cut," she says. "It cuts back on the time it takes me to complete the service."

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.

While dry cuts are suitable for all hair types, experts say they benefit those with curly hair the most. "You can see exactly where the hair will fall," explains Gomila. "When [curls are] cut wet, curly hair shrinks up when it dries (depending on the tightness of the curl). Dry cutting helps accurately cut clients' hair to the desired length."

"Anyone can benefit from a dry cut, but I would definitely recommend it for curlier hair types," agrees Fitzsimons. "With a dry cut, it is easier to account for different textural and coil differences in curls, and with certain dry methods, you can see the results right away."

How to Determine the Right Cut for Your Hair

There aren't many downsides to getting your hair cut wet or dry. It's all about personal preference. Gomila says that one downside to cutting your hair wet is that it will take longer than dry cutting. This is due to the washing and detangling required beforehand. With a dry cut, she says you just miss out on the experience of a good cleanse (and sometimes a really relaxing head massage, if you're lucky). But if that doesn't matter to you, then dry cuts are all-around beneficial.

In the end, the best cut for you is dependent on you and your desired results. Gomila says to consult with your stylist and consider their opinion on what will work best with your hair, as well as how much experience they have cutting wet and dry. From there, you can decide what you're most comfortable with.

But as the experts have explained above, it doesn't seem like you can go wrong with either cut. Though there are cuts that benefit certain hair types over others, as long as you go to a trusted and trained professional, you—and your hair—should be in good hands.

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