Curly hair is often more prone to thinning, which can be hard to manage. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to reduce thinning and keep your natural curls looking their best, including eating the right diet and following an effective hair care routine.
The rate of balding is influenced more by genetics and hormonal factors than by hair texture (curly vs. straight). However, some studies suggest that people with straight hair may appear to lose hair more noticeably than those with curly hair, simply because curly hair can create volume and cover thinning areas better.
Why are curls more susceptible to heat damage? Curly and wavy hair has weak cross-sectional points. These make it vulnerable to breakage and heat damage. Plus textured hair can often be drier than straight hair due to the way sebum is distributed from the follicle.
For thicker, healthier-looking curls, use sulfate-free shampoo and a protein-rich conditioner, indulge in regular deep conditioning, minimize heat styling, and detangle gently. Regular trims and a nutritious diet can also contribute to fuller curls.
Over-processing curly hair with heat damages each strand, leaving them vulnerable to breakage and split ends which will only accelerate thinning further. If absolutely necessary due to styling needs, then always use a heat-protecting spray before thermal styling.
Human hair comes with all sorts of colors, textures and shapes. Notably, African hair is more coiled and dry; Asian hair is straighter and thicker; and Caucasian hair is somewhere in between with around 45% having straight hair, 40% having wavy hair, and 15% having curly hair.
The curls stop the natural flow of oil down to the tips of the strand, preventing your hair from getting the adequate lubrication it needs for protection. The moisture barrier breaks and is unable to retain any moisture, which causes your hair to turn frizzy.
Men often find curly hair alluring for its unique texture and volume and how it frames a woman's face. Women may also find it attractive because it can be styled in a multitude of ways using a hair curler brush and other tools, from simple and natural looks to extravagant and glamorous styles.
But there are issues that some people with curly hair are more likely to have hair fall out as a result of damage to their follicles. According to the website, Naturally Curly, having curly hair means you're more susceptible to hair breakage. It can happen while combing or trying to detangle hair.
Curly hair is naturally drier than other hair types because the twists and turns of the curls make it difficult for the scalp's natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. This can lead to a dry scalp, which in turn affects the health of your hair.
East Asian men (such as those of Chinese and Japanese ancestry) are next on the list of those least likely to experience hair loss. For example, while around half of Caucasian men will experience some degree of androgenetic alopecia, a 2010 study of Chinese men found only about 13% did.
When thinning shears are used on curly hair, it disrupts the curl clumping patterns and the end result will look similar to having breakage or damage ends because the short hairs no longer clump the way they should.
Researchers suggest that the evolution of curly hair in early humans was a crucial adaptive trait in equatorial Africa, offering effective protection from the sun's heat and minimizing the need for sweating. This passive cooling mechanism likely allowed for brain growth by conserving water and reducing heat.
Fragility. Natural curly hair tends to be more fragile than straight hair. Due to the uneven shape of the hair fiber, the hair shaft can have “high spots” where the cuticle is slightly lifted compared to the rest of the hair fiber.
Absolutely, it's okay to straighten your naturally curly hair, provided it's done safely and correctly. Make sure to prep your hair correctly, use the right tools, and give your hair the TLC it needs afterward. Remember, the goal is to enhance your beauty without causing damage.
Type 1A: The rarest hair type, this one is very straight and fine with a “wispy” appearance. It's very difficult to get it to hold a curl. Type 1B: Though still straight, this type has a medium (rather than fine) texture and a little more volume.
Curls have a spiral shape that makes it difficult for oils and caring agents to migrate from root to tip. On straighter hair, care products can easily slide along the length of the fiber, hydrating further down the shaft. Curly hair is drier because the caring agents don't reach as easily due to the shape of the curl.
Curly hair is found across all ethnicities, though its prevalence and type can vary. It is common among people of African descent, who often have tightly coiled hair. Wavy and curly hair types are also prevalent in Middle Eastern, European, South Asian, and Latin American populations due to diverse genetic backgrounds.
A curl activator is a styling product that helps to define and separate curls. It's not a gel, so it can be used on wet or dry hair. Instead, curl activators contain ingredients like wheat protein and egg white, which help define and separate curls while moisturizing them simultaneously.
On average, hair grows half an inch per month, or about six inches per year - but with curls, it can feel like a much slower process. "Curly hair grows at the same rate as straight hair," says Dr. Michelle Henry, board certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.