Experts also associate this behavior with periods of emotional transition.
It’s popular for people to change their hairstyle during breakups, crises, or life changes. Cutting one’s hair at home can act as a symbolic gesture of renewal, a way to shed emotional weight and start anew.
There’s also a link between this act and anxiety or control. For some, trimming their own hair becomes a coping mechanism – a small area of life they can dominate when everything else feels chaotic. The immediate transformation offers temporary relief and a sense of regained control.
On the flip side, some individuals avoid salons because of social anxiety or discomfort with strangers. Sitting before a mirror while someone else controls their image can feel distressing for those with extreme shyness or social phobia. Cutting hair privately, then, becomes a protective choice to escape uncomfortable social situations.
