Lunar Hair Chart 2026: Best Moon Phases to Cut Hair for Growth & Thickness

The best moon phase to cut hair for growth is the waxing moon—specifically the period from the first quarter to the full moon. This ancient practice, rooted in the same gravitational science that drives ocean tides, has been followed by everyone from Indian Ayurvedic practitioners to European farmers for thousands of years. If you want thicker, faster-growing hair in 2026, this chart shows you exactly when to book your appointment.

Why the Moon Affects Hair Growth

The moon’s influence on living systems isn’t New Age speculation—it’s observable physics. The same gravitational pull that moves 70% of Earth’s ocean water also affects the moisture content in soil, plants, and biological tissues.

“Agricultural research has documented measurable differences in sap flow, water uptake, and germination rates based on lunar phase,” says Dr. Hartmut Spiess, former head of plant breeding at the Dottenfelderhof Biodynamic Research Institute in Germany. “Hair grows from living tissue fed by blood and lymph—there’s no reason to assume it’s immune to these influences.”

The Numbers Behind the Tradition

• Hair grows 0.44mm per day on average, but this rate fluctuates based on hormones, nutrition, and environmental factors (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011)
• 80% of rural populations worldwide have historically used lunar calendars for agricultural timing, including animal husbandry and grooming (FAO documentation)
• The Farmer’s Almanac has published lunar hair cutting recommendations since 1818—over 200 years of continuous tradition
• A 2006 meta-analysis in Chronobiology International found statistically significant correlations between lunar phases and biological rhythms in multiple species

The moon completes a full cycle every 29.5 days, creating four distinct phases—each with different implications for hair care.

Quick Reference: Moon Phase + Hair Goal

2026 Lunar Hair Calendar: Complete Dates

I’ve mapped every significant lunar date for 2026. Bookmark this page or print the chart below.

Best Days for Hair Growth (Waxing Moon)

Cut during these windows to encourage faster, healthier regrowth:

Best Days for Thickness & Strength (Full Moon Window)

The full moon maximizes moisture and nutrient concentration in hair follicles. Book your cut within 48 hours before or on the full moon:

Best Days to Slow Regrowth (Waning Moon)

Want your bikini wax to last longer? Prefer less frequent trims? Cut during the waning moon when growth naturally contracts:

Moon Signs: The Second Layer

The zodiac sign the moon occupies adds another dimension. Traditional astrology associates different signs with different hair qualities.

Fertile Signs (Best for Cutting)

• Cancer ♋ — Promotes shine and softness; excellent for fine hair
• Scorpio ♏ — Adds volume and thickness; good for thin hair
• Pisces ♓ — Enhances manageability and reduces frizz

Earth Signs (Good for Cutting)

• Taurus ♉ — Strengthens and adds density
• Capricorn ♑ — Promotes durability; good before stressful styling
• Virgo ♍ — Precision cuts hold shape well

Signs to Avoid

• Aries ♈ — Hair may regrow coarse or wiry
• Leo ♌ — Associated with dryness
• Sagittarius ♐ — May cause uneven regrowth
• Aquarius ♒ — Linked to brittleness

“In my 30 years as a hairdresser, I’ve noticed that clients who schedule around the moon genuinely seem to have better experiences with their cuts lasting longer and growing back healthier,” says Anthony Dickey, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Hair Rules salon in New York. “Whether it’s the moon or just being more intentional about timing—something works.”

Note: Sidera uses precise astronomical calculations, which shows where the moon actually sits among the stars. Most Western guides use the tropical zodiac, offset by roughly 24°. The astronomical position is astronomically accurate; the tropical is symbolically consistent.

Hair Coloring, Treatments & the Moon

Lunar timing applies beyond cuts:

How to Actually Use This

1. Pick your goal — Growth, thickness, or slowing regrowth
2. Find the date range for your next cut
3. Check moon sign if you want to optimize further (Sidera tracks this live)
4. Book your appointment
5. Track results — Note dates and hair behavior over 3-4 cycles

Don’t overthink it. If the ideal window doesn’t work with your schedule, any day within the correct phase is better than ignoring timing entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there scientific proof that moon phases affect hair growth?

There’s no peer-reviewed study proving it beyond doubt, but there’s also no study disproving it. What we have: millennia of observational practice across unrelated cultures, plus documented lunar effects on biological rhythms in plants, animals, and human sleep cycles. The absence of proof isn’t proof of absence—and trying this costs you nothing.

Which moon phase makes hair grow fastest?

The waxing moon, from new to full. Traditional wisdom holds that as the moon grows, so does anything cut during that time. The first quarter—when the moon is half-illuminated and growing—is considered especially potent for growth.

Can I still get a good haircut on a “bad” moon day?

Absolutely. The moon is one variable among many: your stylist’s skill, your hair’s health, how you care for it afterward. Lunar timing is optimization, not magic. A skilled cut on a waning moon beats a bad cut on a full moon.

What about curly, coily, or textured hair?

These principles apply to all hair types. The tradition relates to the hair follicle and growth cycle, not curl pattern. Some curly-hair specialists actually emphasize lunar timing because curly hair shows growth and health differences more visibly.

Should I use tropical or astronomical zodiac for moon signs?

Depends on your philosophy. Tropical is the standard Western astrology approach—symbolically consistent but not astronomically accurate. Sidereal (what Sidera uses) shows where the moon actually is among the constellations. If you care about real planetary positions, use precise astronomical positions; if you follow traditional Western astrological practice, stick with tropical.

How many cycles before I notice a difference?

Give it 3-4 haircuts over 6-12 months. Hair grows slowly—about half an inch per month on average—so changes take time to become visible. Keep a simple log (date, moon phase, how hair behaves) to track patterns.

Does the time of day matter?

Not really. The moon phase and sign are the primary factors. Some practitioners prefer morning cuts when energy is rising, but this is less emphasized than the date itself.

Any dates to completely avoid in 2026?

August 28, 2026 — A partial lunar eclipse occurs. Eclipses are traditionally considered unstable times for any intentional work, including haircuts. September 7, 2026 has a solar eclipse, which affects new moon energy. Neither is a disaster, but if you have the choice, schedule around them.

Can this help with hair loss?

Lunar timing won’t reverse genetic hair loss or conditions like alopecia. But if you’re already treating underlying causes, timing trims with the waxing moon may support whatever growth capacity you have. Think of it as working with your body’s rhythms, not against them.

What if my stylist thinks this is ridiculous?

You don’t need to explain yourself. Just book the appointment for the date you want. If they ask, you can mention you’re “trying something new” or simply say you prefer that day. Your hair, your choice.

Summary: Your 2026 Lunar Hair Cheat Sheet

• Faster growth → Cut during waxing moon (new → full), especially first quarter
• Maximum thickness → Cut at or just before full moon
• Slower regrowth → Cut during waning moon (full → new)
• Best zodiac signs → Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces (water), Taurus, Capricorn (earth)
• Avoid → Eclipses (Aug 28, Sep 7), barren signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius)

This practice has survived for millennia because enough people noticed results to keep passing it down. It costs nothing to try and takes no extra effort—just timing. Your 2026 haircut calendar is now set.

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