Baby's first haircut can go a little extreme in S. Korea
Why? The practice stems from a long-held belief, though less common today, that shaving encourages hair to grow back thicker and fuller. As in many cultures, lush, full hair is highly valued in Korea, often regarded as a symbol of health and youth.
The shaved hair is often kept as a memento, stored in decorative keepsake boxes or framed for display.
Some even have it crafted into a brush, following a tradition once practiced by ancestors, as a symbolic gesture of hope for the child's future.
During the Joseon era (1392–1910), many Confucian scholars shaved their children's first batch of hair and turned it into a brush known as taemopil, which was believed to bring academic success. Unlike the coarse and oily hair of adults, a newborn's first hair is exceptionally soft and fine, making it ideal for crafting delicate calligraphy brushes. Making a brush from a baby's first hair is a tradition not unique to Korea; it is also practiced in countries like China and Japan.
Shaving in hopes of achieving fuller hair, however, has no scientific basis.
According to local medical experts, while newly grown hair may appear fuller compared to before, this is merely an optical illusion. When hair is shaved, the blunt tips of the regrowing strands can make the hair look thicker and coarser. In reality, shaving does not alter hair's structure, density or growth rate.
The experts also caution that a baby's scalp is highly sensitive, and shaving might cause unnecessary irritation.
Although not as extreme as shaving, a baby's first haircut is often remembered as a small yet meaningful rite of passage, a tender milestone that parents cherish among the many 'firsts.'
Is it time for your baby's first haircut? What will you do with those tiny strands?
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