Nazirites of either sex are forbidden to cut their hair (Num.Ch.6);
this implies that cutting the hair was the normal practice.
The Kohanim were forbidden to either grow their hair very long or
shave it off (Ezekiel 44:20). Men are forbidden to cut the hair
on the sides of their heads (Lev. 19:27), but women are allowed
to do it (Mishnah Kiddushin 29a). Shaving part of the head as a
sign of mourning is forbidden (Deut.14:1), but shaving was
required in certain purification procedures (Lev.Ch.14; Deut.21:12)
or by a nazirite after fulfilling the vow. Interestingly, some Christians believe that women shouldn't cut their hair, based on 1 Corinthians 11:15.
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