I know there is some pretty crazy stuff out there meant to make our hair grow. I mean there’s pills, hair regimens, oil rubbing, downward dog positions, and even some smelly onion or garlic gunk left on our hair all just to get those few extra inches of growth. And please don’t be fooled into thinking that these are the only resources used to trick our bodies into giving us what some of us desperately want. Wanna know about an oldie but a goodie? The Lunar Calendar or the Moon Phases to increase hair growth.

 

 

Yes, it may sound stupid but now we’re even talking to the moon (cue in Bruno Mars’ song “Talking to the Moon”). Well, it’s not really now. This love affair with the moon is kind of old news, I’ve known about it since I was a teenager and even tried to follow it myself. However, my mind was never really on the moon… it was more like on boys, music, school, clothes… you know what I’m talking about. I never really followed it religiously to attest to its veracity.

 

 

What is this Moon Mumbo Jumbo? 

I thought some of you might want to know about it or give it a try. Are you up for it?…Don’t be side eyeing me… really, this is not just a crazy confabulation meant to keep desperate people busy. Listen, moon phases have been used to explain and predict tides which support the work of fishermen as we all know. Farmers also saw their crops according to the moon.

 

 

Evidence

Astrology, seen as pseudoscience in the scientific community, also makes predictions of our actions, emotions and events based on the position of the moon in the zodiac. The Mayan culture, for instance, attributed great importance to astronomical events and developed a system to predict all this. Have you heard of the Mayan calendar? It’s accuracy and complexity is of great interest to scholars and the like.

 

 

Is this all wishful thinking? I don’t know, all I know is if the moon’s energy influences sea tides and our bodies are made of 60% water, couldn’t this energy also have an influence on us? A published article by the Polish Academy of Science, states that the moon’s gravitational pull has an effect on certain metabolic processes in humans and animals. Additionally, there have been some studies making connections between melatonin and hair growth, and melatonin production levels being influenced by the phases of the moon. Sure, results/arguments may not be the strongest, and opposing evidence may exist, but science is poking to give you empirical data…

 

 

I think it’s possible, don’t you? What harm could there be in cutting or trimming hair according to the moon just to facilitate increased hair growth? Superstition? Maybe, but you’re not stuffing your body with pills, hanging your head down, bathing in oil or whatever. You’re just trimming or cutting your hair which is something you already need to do. So, you’re not even wasting your time (or money), if anything you’re conducting an experiment in the name of science 😉 (yes, there is a smart grin on my face!).

 

 

Health Over Length, Always!

No, I don’t need to go to rehab as Amy Winehouse would sing for saying what I’ve said so far. I’m not putting hair length in front of health as some of you may be thinking by now. Health always, always comes first. Let me stress that one more time in case you skipped a line reading – Health Always Comes First. No matter what crazy stuff we do to achieve length if we don’t have a good hair regimen and don’t eat properly hair length will be a high hill to climb.

 

 

Yes, your hair will still grow because it never stops doing so. But the health of your hair will be a weak one, one with a history of breakage and split ends, lack of shine and maybe even with a decreased rate of hair growth. So, don’t be thinking I’m preaching the easy road to hair length, no. I’m just providing you with information about a technique to care for your natural or transitioning hair. Some may call it superstitious or delusional, and others may call it interesting or educational. Still, it’s information, and I hope you find it as interesting as I do. Now off to the juicy part…

 

 

NEW MOON, FULL MOON

Astrology

According to astrology, the best time to cut or trim our hair to achieve faster hair growth is when the moon is

entering a full moon. However, this doesn’t mean that this is the only time. In fact, astrology looks at the progression of the new moon and full moon.

 

 

It is known that the sun and the moon have an influence on the ocean tides and that when the sun, moon and earth are aligned, as when we have a new moon or full moon, we have spring tides which are when water springs higher than normal. On the other hand, when we have a First or Third (Last)  Quarter Moons we have neap tides, meaning lower tides.

 

 

Similarly to the ocean tides, astrology says that when the moon is in a waxing (growing/crescent) phase, going from new moon to full moon, that is the best time to pull out the shears. If you want increased hair growth you should cut your hair when the moon is entering a new moon, but if all you want is thicker or fuller hair then cut near the end of the full moon, taking advantage of the waning (shrinking) moon. (Small side information: Did you know that trees and branches are often cut on a full moon because it hardens the wood?).

 

 

However, astrology looks not only at the position of the moon but also where the moon is positioned according to the Zodiac and this is the most important factor when choosing the day to cut your hair. In light of what I researched so far, the best time to cut to grow your hair faster is with a new moon in Taurus, Cancer, Pisces, Capricorn. If you’re looking for thicker or fuller hair while having faster growth at the same time then cut when it’s a Full Moon on the same previous zodiac signs or, better yet, when the full moon is in Leo the zodiac sign of the big mane.

 

 

Now if you want to grow your hair slower…Yes, I said slower! I’m not entirely crazy, I don’t know… you might have a new short haircut that you want to extend for a longer period or you might be happy with your present hair length, who knows! Or,… and this is the best one yet, you may want your leg shaving session to last you longer. This is a god one isn’t? Who’s your friend?!

 

 

Cut (or shave) when the full moon‘s light is decreasing (moving from waning gibbous to waning crescent) and is in Aries, Gemini, Aquarius, Sagittarius, Leo and Libra. For bushier, afro-like hair, check if this same moon is on Leo. To know the best lunar dates and zodiac dates check the Farmers Almanac.

 

 

Mayan Lunar Chart

According to Anthony Marrocco, founder of the Marrocco Method for hair, face and body care, the Mayan lunar chart has five optimal dates when hair should be cut depending on personal goals and these are named: Lengthen, Strengthen, Root Work, Beautify and Thicken. During any given month you will have specific dates when you can cut your hair to achieve each individual goal.

 

 

Anthony states that if we want to grow our hair faster we should focus on lengthening, strengthening and root work. We shouldn’t just focus on growth, we should also care for having a strong cortex and having a healthy scalp, which will support healthy hair and any goals of increased hair growth.

 

 

In practice, this means, for example, cutting 1/8th of an inch (0.3 cm) in March on a lengthening day, then cut the same amount on a strengthening day in April and on a root work day in May. If on the other hand, we’re looking for thicker hair we should focus on cutting hair on a beautifying (it improves hair texture and enhances waves and curls), thickening and root work day following the same pattern as before.

 

 

By now you’re probably thinking this is too much trimming and cutting. No way, you’re gonna cut your hair every month! Don’t worry you don’t need to do it every month, you can leave a space in between, just follow the pattern as explained. However, as you know you shouldn’t leave it too long in between trimming and cutting as you run the risk of having split ends, besides 1/8 inch isn’t that much. You probably need a microscope to see that. 🙂

 

 

On an interesting and final note, if you cut your hair on the 21, 22 or 23 of September, on the Fall equinox, know that the Mayan Lunar Chart indicates these days as the best days to cut for fall. In fact, if you go to Anthony Marrocco’s website and check the lunar hair chart you’ll see that solstices and equinoxes are good days for hair cutting, maybe that’s why many hairstylists recommend a trim on each season change.

 

 

Have you heard of moon phases for hair cutting? What do you think about it? Would you follow it?

 

Image Credit: Moon Phases Diagram by Andonee on Wikimedia (License).