Does Science Back Up Haircutting According to the Lunar Calendar?

For centuries, astrologers have considered the moon to have special powers over humans, dictating behavior and controlling certain disease states. Anecdotes about humans acting like “lunatics” during full moons have spawned the werewolf legends. The Farmer's Almanac tells us to plant crops based on the moon, and it even indicates the best time to cut our hair. Does the moon have powers over us? And, are there any science and research studies published to back up these claims? Read on to find out if certain lunar phases will improve your haircut.

What are lunar phases?

As the moon journeys around the Earth in an elliptical orbit, it exerts different gravitational forces on the Earth depending on where it is located in the orbit. This orbit takes about 29 days. The location of the moon during its orbit dictates its lunar phases and how much of the moon we can see.

The lunar phases in order are:

1. New moon. The sky is at its darkest and the moon is not visible.
2. Waxing crescent. The moon can be seen like a thin sliver in the sky and has a curved banana shape.
3. First quarter. You will be able to see about a quarter of the moon at the beginning of this phase, gradually increasing to half.
4. Waxing gibbous. This phase takes us from a half moon until it's almost full.
5. Full moon. The moon is at its brightest and biggest, appearing like a full circle in the night sky.
6. Waning gibbous. The moon will gradually begin to disappear from view, moving from full to half.
7. Three-quarter. During this phase, the moon takes on the distinctive curved shape in the sky once more.
8. Waning crescent. The final phase before a new moon. It will look like a thin sliver in the sky.

As the moon orbits closer to the Earth, it should exert higher forces or higher gravitational pull. This gravitational pull dictates the ocean tides. The moon is closest to the Earth during its perigee, which coincides with a full moon or a new moon. When it coincides with the full moon, it is called a supermoon.

Do the lunar phases affect human behavior?

There have been many contradictory reports on whether lunar phases exert control over human behavior. Some studies show an increase in suicides or homicides during a full moon, while other studies do not confirm it. Contradictory evidence has surfaced on the full moon's control over human blood pressure, migraine rates, and the number of births. At this point, the moon does not appear to conclusively control our behavior, but more research is needed.

The only areas where a possible connection exists between the moon and human behavior are in bipolar patients and those with sleep issues. Bipolar patients seemed to have an increase in manic activity during full moons, possibly related to sleep or hormone disruptions. Patients with sleep issues suffered from less sleep and a harder time falling asleep during full moons. These issues may arise due to a fall in melatonin levels in the body.

Do the lunar phases have any effect on hair?

For centuries, people believed the moon to have power and control over them. So many would time certain activities based on the lunar calendar, such as haircuts. While there are no studies supporting haircuts according to the lunar calendar, there is no harm in doing it. The best time to do so would be during the waxing moon — between the new and full moon.

Science behind haircuts & lunar calendar

There is no evidence or clinical research to support using the lunar calendar to determine when to cut or color your hair. However, there is no harm in doing so. Regular trims are good for the hair and help it grow better. People who follow astrology cut their hair during the waxing moon to promote hair growth. This is the time between the new moon and the full moon. Likewise, if people who follow astrology want to slow down hair growth, they trim their hair between the full and new moon (waning moon).