A skin fade looks its best for about ten days. After that the shortest part, the bit just above your ear, has grown a few millimetres, and the soft blend between lengths starts to look like two separate haircuts.
The short answer
Every two to three weeks if you want it sharp all the time. Every four if you do not mind a softer fade for the last week. Longer than that and we are no longer touching up a fade, we are cutting a new one.
Why the sides go first
Hair grows roughly a centimetre a month everywhere on your head. On top, a centimetre on a six centimetre length is barely visible. On the sides, a centimetre on a zero is the whole haircut.
Stretching it out
Ask for a slightly higher starting length, a one instead of a zero, and the fade will stay blended for a week longer. It is also what most of our Regular members do between their two monthly visits: a quick neck tidy, free, in five minutes.
