How to Grow Out Your Pandemic Buzz Cut (2024)

in: Hair, Style

Brett and Kate McKay August 13, 2020 • Last updated: June 9, 2021

How to Grow Out Your Pandemic Buzz Cut (1)

Back when the pandemic started heating up in the United States several months ago and local shelter-in-place orders were instituted which closed down barbershops, I decided I’d let my hair grow out for the indefinite future. Instead of seeing the shutdown as an inconvenience, I reframed it as an opportunity to achieve some sweet, sweet, 1980s Sam Elliott hair. I had tried to achieve this worthy goal before, gotten close, but abandoned the idea when it didn’t seem to be coming together. I wanted to give the idea another go round; maybe it would somehow work out better this time.

I was optimistic about the project, but by the middle of July, I’d reached my head-mop breaking point. Just as I had concluded on my first attempt, my hair is just too thick, wavy, and vertically-oriented in its growth to pull off the 80s flow. Instead of looking like Sam Elliott in Mask, I looked like Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. What’s more, all that hair on top of my head was making me overheat during the hot and humid Oklahoma summer.

So I had my mother-in-law buzz it off (she buzzes my father-in-law’s head each week, so she’s a seasoned pro). I officially joined the pandemic buzz cut club.

The clippings lumped together on the floor looked like the pelt of a dead varmint. My head felt a few pounds lighter and a lot cooler. I’m enjoying my buzz cut. It’s a breeze to maintain. Washing my hair takes significantly less time and there’s no need to style or even comb it.

But I plan on returning to my typical side-part hairstyle for the fall, which presents a minor issue: a buzz cut can look a little awkward — fuzzy and round — while it grows out. The last time I grew out a summer buzz cut a few years ago, I remember I looked vaguely like a Chia-Head.

To avoid looking like a potted indoor novelty plant, I reached out to Thad Forrester, barber and co-owner of Hudson / Hawk Barber & Shop for his advice on growing out a buzz cut.

If you can visit a barber . . . keep the back and sides short, and let the hair grow out on top.

“I like the strategy of keeping the sides and back short until the top starts to get longer,” Thad told me. It helps push more visual strength into the top of your head and “prevents the Chia Pet look from happening.”

Ask your barber for a taper at the temple and neck. If you don’t mind showing some skin as the hair gets closer to the hairline on the sides and neck, you can also ask for a medium fade along the sides and back. This will give your hair some dimension, making it look more like an actual haircut and less like a uniformly round tennis ball. Continue to let the hair on top grow out, until it too is in need of a trim.

If you’re wanting to eventually grow the sides and back of your hair out rather than keeping them trimmed close to the head with a taper or fade, start this process once the hair on top of your head is long enough to comb.

You’ll need to visit your barber a little more often — perhaps every two weeks — to keep your style looking sharp during this grow-out period.

If you can’t/don’t want to visit a barber . . . let your buzz grow while keeping your hairline trimmed.

If you don’t think you’ll be visiting a barbershop anytime soon, you can of course keep buzzing your head. If you don’t have a mother-in-law handy, here’s a guide on how to do it yourself.

What if you can’t visit a barbershop now, but think you will in a couple months or so, and want to start growing out your hair now? Giving yourself a taper isn’t impossible, but it’s pretty tricky. Even having someone else do it for you is iffy.

You’ll thus probably need to content yourself with letting your buzzed fuzz get puffy, but you can still keep it from looking too unruly by doing a DIY clean-up along your hairline. This means trimming your sideburns along with the two trails of hair that run down your neck. We’ve got a guide on how to take care of this job here.

How long will it take my buzz cut to grow out?

Genetics will influence how quickly your hair grows, but on average, humans grow about ½ inch of hair a month. Depending on how long your hair was pre-buzz cut, expect it to take 3 to 4 months to grow out to its original length.

There you go. How to grow out your buzz cut, and banish Mr. Chi-Chi-Chi-Chia Head to 1990s commercial breaks.

How to Grow Out Your Pandemic Buzz Cut (2024)

FAQs

Are Buzz Cuts in Style 2022? ›

Buzz Cut is an old hairstyle that is going to be trendy in 2022. It is an entire class of hairstyles that includes different kinds of modifications. Mancave for Men offers customized buzz cuts so you can have the hairstyle you desire.

Does hair grow better after a buzz cut? ›

But the truth of the matter is that a buzz cut will not affect hair growth. Healthy hair growth is not affected by the haircut. Hair growth has a particular pattern that is not dependent on haircut per se. A haircut might delay the process but will not impact the overall growth cycle.

How can I make my hair grow faster after a buzz? ›

Massaging your head encourages blood flow, which can help your hair grow back more quickly. Run your hands over your head from front to back, pressing down gently, then press in the tips of your fingers and run them in small circles on the top of your scalp. Repeat on the back and sides of your head.

How long does a buzzcut take to grow out? ›

How long will it take my buzz cut to grow out? Genetics will influence how quickly your hair grows, but on average, humans grow about ½ inch of hair a month. Depending on how long your hair was pre-buzz cut, expect it to take 3 to 4 months to grow out to its original length. There you go.

How much does hair grow in 2 weeks? ›

The hair growth rate per day is about 0.3 to 0.4 mm. This means that the growth of hair per week would be about 2.1 mm. So, 'How long does hair grow in 2 weeks, if you ask, the answer would be 4.2 mm.

What does a buzz cut say about you? ›

The Buzz Cut –

Let's face it, it's easy-peasy to shave it all off. This hair style for men states that this guy wants to focus his time and energy on more important things than a tedious men's grooming session in the morning. He is sporting a low maintenance, no fuss, let's get up and go attitude.

What faces suit a buzz cut? ›

Those with evenly proportioned diamond, square, or oval shaped faces will suit the look the best. If you don't fall under that bracket, you may still be able to pull one off, but it'll more than likely require some creative use of beard grooming to square off your jawline.

Does a buzz cut make you look younger or older? ›

A classic buzz cut is a great option if you're looking for a no-nonsense, low-maintenance haircut that will help you look younger—and focus all the attention on your other handsome features. This style is especially great for disguising any thinning hair or bald patches you may have.

Can buzz cut damage your hair? ›

We are very happy to report that buzz cuts do not cause hair loss or hair thinning.

Will my hair grow back thicker if I buzz it? ›

Despite common belief, shaving your hair does not make it grow back thicker or at a faster rate. In fact, this misconception was debunked by clinical studies in 1928. Still, the myth lives on, even almost 100 years later. This may be due to the fact that hair regrowth after shaving often has a different appearance.

Is it possible to mess up a buzz cut? ›

"There is no way to mess up a buzz cut other than cutting it too short," shares Scott. "Luckily, it will grow back in a week and you can try again!"

How long does hair grow in a week? ›

How fast does hair grow in a week? No matter how much you wish for your hair to grow, it's only reaching two to five millimeters per week, says Dawn Clemens, hairstylist and Founder of LarweHair.

Why does my buzz cut sticks up? ›

Make sure you're styling it the right way

Almost everybody's hair grows either clockwise or anti-clockwise so make sure you are styling how it wants to go as to opposed to the way you have always worn it (a common mistake). This can lead to it sticking up.

How often should you shape up a buzz cut? ›

How often you need to cut your hair really depends on your hairstyle. A buzz cut can grow out in 1-2 weeks, so you'll have to cut your hair fairly regularly to keep yourself looking sharp. In contrast, longer styles and those created with a scissor cut can last 4-6 weeks between cuts depending on your hair type.

How often should you get a haircut if you have a buzzcut? ›

Buzz cuts are not as low maintenance as you may think.

While you may not notice how fast your hair grows when it's long, you'll absolutely notice it when you have a buzz cut. If you want to keep your buzz cut looking as fresh as possible, expect to head back to the salon or barber shop every two weeks.

How much hair grows in a month? ›

We'll cut straight to it: On average, hair grows at a rate of about half an inch per month, or six inches per year. Each hair on your head grows from an individual follicle.

How fast does hair grow in 10 days? ›

Ignoring these perceptual differences, human hair grows at a fairly consistent rate of about half a millimeter per day, or about half an inch each month (more specifically, the study says hair grows at 0.44 mm per day). Depending on your age, hair may grow faster or slower.

Does hair grow in sleep? ›

“Your blood circulates and runs your body every second, so hair grows slowly in every moment,” says Marshall Lin, celebrity hairstylist. “When you're sleeping, your body is still functioning, so of course your hair also grows.”

Will my hair grow in 7 days? ›

Most hair strands grow at an average rate of about 0.3 to 0.4 mm a day. So, this means it may grow up to one-tenth of an inch or a little more in a week. However, this growth differs with people.

Do girls like buzz cut? ›

While some women like the short aspect, others don't like extremely short buzz cuts. This is because it gets rid of the ability to brush through someone's hair. However, buzz cuts can have a variety of lengths.

Are buzzcuts masculine? ›

Buzz cuts are ideal for men who want to accept their hair loss or men who love to wear short haircuts. A buzz cut is a short and neat style that's easy to maintain, enhances your masculine features, and makes you spend less time in the mirror fussing with your hair.

What grade is a buzz cut? ›

“It should be anything from a 1 to 2 grade on the clippers,” says Williams. “You could also try a grade 3 or 4 for a longer buzz, which is known as the butch cut,” so long as you clean up the neckline.

Does buzz cut look good on heart shape? ›

Best Haircuts for Heart-Shaped Faces

Steer clear of very short, buzzed or tapered haircuts, which will only accentuate the width of the forehead. Instead, opt for a mid-length style with a pompadour or some side-swept length to add a touch of height and make the temples appear narrower.

Should I get a buzz cut with a big forehead? ›

A number one or number two buzz cut is ideal to minimise a bigger forehead, as it blends out the hairline, so there's a less defined border where the hair begins. The buzz cut doesn't work for all face shapes and works best for men with an oval face.

Is it smart to get a buzz cut? ›

A buzz cut saves the day for men with a receding hairline, bald patches, or widow's peak. The same goes for guys with lean faces and strong features. A buzz cut is a low-maintenance haircut, think wake-up and go kind of cut. Keep it looking sharp by making a return trip to the barbers every 2-3 weeks.

What is the haircut trend for 2022? ›

"I predict that short bobs with or without bangs for straight hair will be big for 2022," Fekkai says. Selena Gomez is clearly leading the charge, recently returning to the classic chin-length look. The sliced bob is another take on the trend stylists love — that version is a tiny bit longer in the front.

What is the hair cut style for 2022? ›

"Mid-length styles are all the rage for 2022," Jennifer Korab, creator and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, explains. "They're mostly [showing up] as an effortless, lived-in look." And the '70s-inspired shag is just one example. The cut is edgy, minus all the sharp angles.

What is the trending hairstyle for 2022? ›

Long layers and volume

"Things are going from really short shags and mullets to mid-length haircuts," she said. Expect to see '90s-inspired long layers and stylists focusing on adding more volume while keeping the hair length intact. "Two of the most frequently used techniques will be slide cutting and texturizing.

Are shaved heads in style 2022 for men? ›

There's plenty of evidence that the shaved head is the first trendy cut of 2022.

What is the new haircut for 2023? ›

"As we move into 2023, we'll be seeing a bit more of a '70s resurgence," Fekkai says. If you're ready to get groovy with this cut ask your stylist for rounded bangs with rounded corners. "It's similar to a bob cut with the addition of subtle layers added to allow for movement to your hair," Fekkai notes.

What is a wolf cut haircut? ›

As celebrity and editorial hairstylist Neil Moodie explains: “A wolf haircut is a mix of the shag haircut and a mullet, but generally created on longer hair. It has shorter choppy layers on the top and longer choppy layers around the sides and back.”

What is the number 1 haircut for 2022? ›

The shag— or super layered hair cut— is the trend,” says Saviano. “It works on almost every hair texture and length, and you can even style this look with or without bangs. It gives off a cool, low maintenance vibe, and truly brings out the best of natural hair texture, as the layered cut gives the hair movement.”

What is the most popular haircut for 2022 male? ›

Side Part. The side part is a very professional look that is incredibly popular among today's businessmen. It features a very defined part deep on one side of the head and includes an undercut or short fade on the sides with longer hair on the top.

Which hairstyle makes you look younger? ›

Loose waves are more younger-looking, while straight hair can be aging. Play around with face-framing layers to give your hair some softness and movement. Layers can also make your hair appear to be more luscious and healthy. Parra recommends asking your stylist for perimeter layers that are cut in a straight line.

What is the new TikTok hairstyle called? ›

The wet mop haircut is a modified bowl cut... Also nicknamed “the TikTok haircut", it's the 2022 men's hair trend that is all over the internet. This wet mop hairstyle, typically worn by men, has long hair on the top (usually messy, wavy or curly) and short hair on the sides and back of the head.

What is the hair color for 2022? ›

Red may be the biggest hair-color trend for fall, but it's no one-shade pony. Here, five ways to go crimson this season.

Will girls date bald guys? ›

So, for the questions “Do women like bald men?” the overwhelming majority of women gave positive answers. 87.5% of women of different ages and nationalities surveyed find bald men attractive compared to only 12.5% of women, who gave negative answer.

Why do shaved heads look intimidating? ›

All three studies found similar results: A man's shorn scalp was linked with dominance. In other words, men with shaved heads were perceived as powerful by others. It seems that closely cropped or bald domes have a certain manly swagger to them that project a powerful look.

What does a shaved head say about a man? ›

A recent study showed that completely shaven bald men were perceived as more dominant, masculine, confident, and somehow more powerful than men who were showing male pattern baldness but had not shaved their heads completely.

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