Through every trim and tinge, hair is often one of the first features we notice about a person. From the way we style it, to the colors we dye it, hair plays a big part in how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us.
The deep origins behind hair psychology and self-rejuvenation are very telling about a person’s mindset. Hair can sometimes be that physical outlet someone needs to have some form of control over their life.
Changing one’s hair color or style is sometimes not just about the physical change, but also the emotional and psychological ones along with it. A change in hair color can act as a form of self-expression, or even a device to ignite a bigger transformation within an individual.
Almost acting as an inner rebirth, these changes can signify a new chapter in someone’s life, continuing the path of their personal journeys and further evolving themselves.
“I dyed my hair pretty early in my life, and I’ve probably died it a different color every year…it’s almost as if when I dye it, I form this new persona of myself, and enter a new chapter in my life with it,” said Caomhin Grothe-Brinton (11).
Coincidentally, dyed hair also has a correlation with both mental health and self-communication. It is made to be almost a near intimate decision, sometimes reflecting a person’s inner and mental state, which ties into a semblance of more emotional expressions.
Multiple studies have found that some people even become addicted to changing the color of their hair as a way to fix and better their self-esteem.
According to She Might Be, “Hair color adjustments can be used therapeutically, helping individuals to explore facets of their personalities they may have been unaware of or reluctant to show before. It has the potential to be a catalyst for personal development, making the act of changing hair color much more than just a superficial tweak.”
Physical outlets, such as hair, are sometimes a great way to reflect, and transform yourself into a more evolved version of yourself. Other forms of reinvention may be through clothing, makeup, accessories, etc.
A lot of individuals who dye their hair are also known to be more drawn to creative likings and fields they intend to pursue. By modifying their look, specifically through their hair, is another way they use those inspired skills, and show expression.
Often, hair can act as a very spiritual symbol as well. The popular term, “hair holds memories” was widely popularized through TikTok, and partially stemmed from the teachings and belief of the Navajo people’s culture.
Rich cultural heritage, such as the Navajo tribe’s, does contribute to some people’s potential hair choices due to religious and spirituality across many different cultures. Hair is seen as an extension of one’s spirit, energy, or even personality, and adds to that effect of how changing your hair creates an inner rebirth, whether it’s spiritual or not.
As well as a sacred belief by some cultures, it is also scientifically seen that hair holds a form of a person’s feelings and trauma, physically showing motivation for a lot of people to cut and change it, or even keep it the exact same.
“‘Hair holds trauma…’ the idea is that in tumultuous periods, physically shedding a few inches can release any lingering negative feelings. Experts estimate that any given strand on your head is between 2 and 7 years old, which makes the concept seem not so far-fetched,” said The Zoe Report, on how hair holds trauma.
Individuals sometimes want to lose things, or even keep things that remind them of the past. Because hair can reconcile those old painful memories, or good nostalgic ones that you miss, shifting your hair is almost like either letting go of a part of yourself, or keeping what identifies with a certain hair color or length. This can overall further the new version of yourself.
A physical change is exciting, and to some, being able to dye or alter the color and style of their hair is an empowering experience. It gives people the opportunity to transform into the person they truly are, without necessarily being completely vocal about it.
