There is no single answer to why one should remove birth hair, as the reasons vary depending on cultural practices, individual preferences, and medical conditions. Let's explore the different perspectives:
Cultural and Religious Practices
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Mundan Ceremony (Hinduism): In Hinduism, the mundan ceremony, part of the sixteen purification rituals (Shodasha Samskara), involves shaving a baby's head. This is believed to rid the baby of any negativity from their past life while promoting mental and spiritual development. This is a deeply rooted cultural practice, not a universally accepted medical necessity.
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Aqeeqah (Islam): Some Islamic traditions include shaving a newborn's head as part of the Aqeeqah celebration. However, the necessity of this practice is debated within the faith, with some scholars finding it not compulsory.
Medical Reasons
The provided text mentions scenarios where hair removal might be medically relevant, but not specifically for birth hair:
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Excessive hair growth is a symptom of PCOS. Birth control pills and medications like spironolactone are used to manage this, reducing androgen production that causes excessive hair. This does not, however, relate to the removal of a newborn's hair.
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Lanugo: Lanugo is fine, downy hair covering a fetus. It is generally shed before birth. Medical advice explicitly states that you should not remove lanugo from a baby.
Other Considerations
The majority of sources emphasize that removing a newborn's hair is not medically necessary. There are cultural and traditional reasons for some families to do so, but these should be viewed as personal choices, not medical requirements. The act of removing a baby's hair does not inherently confer any health benefit or disadvantage.
