Every culture has its own traditions around children’s hair. Some are rooted in religion. Some in superstition. Some in practical wisdom passed down through generations. And some are just things grandparents say with absolute conviction despite having no evidence whatsoever.
At Kids Hair Play, we see families from every background. The West Midlands is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the UK, and our salons in Sutton Coldfield, Hagley Road, and Wolverhampton reflect that. We cut every type of hair, for every type of family, and we have learned an enormous amount from the traditions our families bring with them.
Here is a look at some of the most interesting hair traditions from around the world — what they mean, where they come from, and what the science actually says.
The mundan ceremony — shaving a baby’s head in Hindu tradition
In Hindu families, the mundan (also called chudakarana) is one of the most significant childhood rituals. The baby’s head is completely shaved, usually between the ages of one and three, in a ceremony that varies in formality from a quiet family gathering to a large celebration at a temple.
The belief behind the mundan is multi-layered. It is seen as a purification — removing the birth hair to allow new, stronger hair to grow. It is also connected to the idea of removing negativity from the child’s previous life and starting fresh. In many families, the shaved hair is offered at a temple or immersed in a sacred river.
The science: shaving does not make hair grow back thicker. Hair thickness is determined by the follicle, which is genetic. However, the new hair that grows in after a mundan often appears thicker because all the strands are growing from the same starting point — there are no tapered ends, so the blunt regrowth feels coarser and looks more uniform. The perception of thickness is real even though the biology has not changed.
We respect this tradition completely. If a family wants a mundan done at the salon rather than at home, we are happy to accommodate it. Some parents prefer having a professional handle it for safety and neatness, especially with very young babies.
Aqiqah — hair cutting in Islamic tradition
In Islam, the aqiqah ceremony typically takes place on the seventh day after a baby’s birth. Part of the ritual involves shaving the baby’s head and weighing the hair. The equivalent weight in silver (or its monetary value) is then given to charity.
This is a deeply meaningful act of gratitude and charity tied to the arrival of a new child. The shaving itself is usually done at home by a family member, but we occasionally see families who prefer a professional to do it for safety reasons, particularly with newborns.
As with the mundan, the hair grows back appearing thicker for the same reason — uniform regrowth from a clean starting point, not an actual change in follicle biology.
First haircut superstitions across Europe
In many Eastern European traditions, cutting a baby’s hair before their first birthday is considered bad luck. In some Polish and Russian families, the first haircut is a significant event that marks the transition from infancy to childhood.
In parts of Italy and Greece, there is a tradition of keeping the baby’s first curl — snipped and saved in a special box or locket. Some families bring these to us and ask us to cut the first curl carefully so it can be preserved. We always take extra care with these — we understand they are keepsakes, not just clippings.
In the UK, there is no single dominant tradition around first haircuts, but many parents still treat it as a milestone. We see parents who photograph every angle, parents who cry more than the baby, and parents who bring three generations of family to watch. All of it is welcome.
Dreadlocks and locs — cultural significance in African and Caribbean communities
Locs carry deep cultural, spiritual, and personal significance in many African and Caribbean communities. In Rastafarian tradition, they are a spiritual commitment connected to the Nazarite vow. In broader African heritage, they are a celebration of natural hair texture and a rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards.
For children, the decision to grow locs is usually made by parents and carries cultural meaning that goes beyond hairstyling. We respect this completely. If a child comes in with locs, we do not suggest cutting them unless the parent asks. We offer maintenance trims, tidying, and shaping that works with the style rather than against it.
What we do see, and gently flag when appropriate, is matting that has been mistaken for loc formation. Natural locs form through a deliberate process. Matting from neglect looks similar to an untrained eye but is structurally different and can damage the hair. If we spot this, we mention it — not as judgement, but as professional observation.
The evil eye and protective cuts
In Turkish, Greek, and many Middle Eastern cultures, a baby’s first haircut is sometimes connected to protection from the evil eye (nazar). The timing and circumstances of the cut may be chosen to ward off bad luck or jealousy.
Some families ask for a small amount to be cut first — just a symbolic snip — before the full cut proceeds. Others want the cut done at a specific time or on a specific day. We accommodate all of these requests without question. Our job is to cut hair well and respect the family’s wishes, not to have opinions about when or why.
Chinese traditions — the full month haircut
In Chinese culture, a baby’s first haircut traditionally happens at one month old, coinciding with the full month (manyue) celebration. The hair is sometimes shaped into specific patterns thought to bring good luck, and the cut hair may be kept and made into a calligraphy brush as a keepsake.
One-month-old babies are among the youngest clients we see, and they require the most careful handling. At this age, the head is still soft at the fontanelle, and the baby has very limited neck control. We use the gentlest possible technique — often just careful trimming with rounded scissors while the baby is held by a parent.
What all these traditions have in common
Strip away the specific cultural details and every one of these traditions shares the same core idea: a child’s hair matters. It is connected to identity, to family, to community, to belief. A haircut is never just a haircut when it comes to children.
This is something we think about every day at Kids Hair Play. We are not just cutting hair — we are participating in something that matters to your family. Whether that is a first curl saved in a locket, a mundan performed with care, or just a child’s first proper haircut that you want to remember forever.
Every child, every tradition, every hair type
The West Midlands is home to families from everywhere. Our stylists cut straight hair, curly hair, coily hair, fine hair, thick hair, and everything in between. We work with every cultural expectation and every family tradition.
If you have a specific request — cultural, religious, or personal — tell us when you book. We will make sure the stylist is prepared and that the experience is exactly what your family needs.
Three salons, all open — Sutton Coldfield, Hagley Road Birmingham, Wolverhampton. Book online or walk in. Whatever your tradition, we are here for it.
