How did my hair go from straight to curly?

Author: Davonte Botsford  |  Last update: Friday, June 6, 2025

Hair follicles in curly hair have a flatter shape, whereas straight hair follicles are round. When major hormonal changes happen, that previously sleeping gene is activated, which can cause your hair follicles to go from round to flat. Thus, a head full of waves or curls that you weren't expecting.

Why has my straight hair turned curly?

Hair changing from straight to curly often indicates a hormonal shift within the body. Factors like menopause, pregnancy, puberty, and even taking birth control, can have a drastic, switching effect on your hair's texture. Hormonal changes alter how your genes are expressed, so changes here can make a big difference.

Why did my hair type change from straight to curly?

As we grow older, our hormones often fluctuate, and our hair type can as well. You might have spent the first 20 years of your life with thick, curly hair that is now growing in thin and straight, or vice versa.

Why is my hair getting curlier as I get older?

Your hair may become curly with age if you inherited both straight and curly hair genes from your parents. Some of these genes can be inactive at birth but then become turned on by hormones, aging, or other factors including medication, nutrition, stress, illness, or pollution.

Why did my hair used to be curly?

Hormonal changes like pregnancy, puberty or menopause can cause your curl pattern to change drastically. The shape of your hair follicles defines your curl pattern and texture, so when your body goes through a major hormonal overhaul, it can also change the shape of your follicles, thus changing your curl pattern.

your hair doesn't suck, you just have wavy hair *WAVY HAIR ROUTINE*

How do I get my natural curls back?

Practical Tips to Regain Your Natural Curls
  1. Using a Clarifying Shampoo to Eliminate Product Build-Up. ...
  2. Why the Condition of Your Hair Matters: Moisture and Protein Treatments. ...
  3. Choose the Right Styling Products. ...
  4. Add Deep Conditioning to Your Hair Care Routine. ...
  5. Importance of Correct Haircut for Curly Hair.

Why isn't my hair straight anymore?

The primary reasons why your hair won't stay straight after you straighten it are (1) your flat iron wasn't hot enough, (2) you overloaded your hair with product, (3) you need a trim, and (4) your hair wasn't dry.

Why does my hair grow from straight to curly?

Hormonal changes that occur around puberty and pregnancy can affect the function of genes. This can cause the curly hair gene of someone with wavy hair to become more active. This can change their hair from wavy to curly. Representative Image of straight hair.

What hormone makes hair curly?

Fluctuating Estrogen Levels Can Bring About Changes in Your Curly Texture. Estrogen levels often fall for curl changes as estrogen is key for maintaining those helical hair follicles. During menopause, plummeting estrogen is linked to the onset of mixed curl patterns and gradual straightening of previously curly hair.

Why has my hair texture suddenly changed?

While hair tends to change slowly throughout adulthood, you may notice more rapid hair texture changes starting to occur since childhood, partly from changes in your scalp and the oils your skin secretes. Environmental factors, such as exposure to smog, hot weather, and air pollution, can also cause changes.

Can hair transition from straight to curly?

Since hair changes often happen gradually, it's possible you may wake up one morning and think - where did these sexy curls come from? So to put it simply, the answer is - yes. Your newfound luscious curls are likely a result of hormonal changes, and they may be here to stay.

Can thyroid issues cause curly hair?

Another possible cause for curling of the hair is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that can lead to dry, thinning and coarse hair due to a hormonal disbalance [11]. Hair follicles are direct targets of thyroid hormones.

Can straight hair turn curly in menopause?

“As estrogen drops in perimenopause, a lot of women see their hair start to transform,” Sally says. “Maybe they notice it's thinning out, or it's drier than usual. I've had friends who have gone from straight hair to curly hair.” Hair loss and hair thinning are two of the most common changes.

How do I get my straight hair back?

Here are seven of our favorite methods.
  1. Wrap your hair at night. One of the easiest ways to straighten hair without heat is to wrap your hair at night. ...
  2. Wet-wrap your hair. ...
  3. Blow-dry with cool air. ...
  4. Opt for large rollers. ...
  5. Try the banding method. ...
  6. Style hair in a twist hair bun. ...
  7. Use smoothing hair care products.

Is curly hair more attractive?

Associated with femininity and beauty, curly hair is highly attractive to many men. Men are drawn to the soft, natural look of curly hair and how it frames a woman's face. Curly hair can also be seen as a sign of youth, which is a factor that many men find attractive.

Can straight hair turn curly naturally?

Hormones are the main culprit responsible for such drastic hair texture changes. During puberty, menopause and pregnancy, many people will find their will go from straight to curly or vice versa over a period of months.

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

Changes in estrogen levels
  • Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. ...
  • Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. ...
  • Thinning tissues may cause discomfort. Skin may appear more wrinkled.

What deficiency causes curly hair?

Curly hair caused by selenium deficiency in an adult woman.

Why has my hair gotten curlier as I get older?

If you have straight hair, your hair may become slightly curlier as you age. This is because the shape of hair follicles changes over time.

What causes hair to curl naturally?

How the hair grows out of the follicle influences the distribution of its proteins. So a straight follicle produces straight hair and a curved follicle produces curly hair. The less evenly distributed the squiggly proteins are, the curlier the hair.

How rare is curly hair?

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.

Why has my hair turned curly?

Hormonal changes that occur around puberty and pregnancy can affect the function of genes. This can cause the curly hair gene of someone with wavy hair to become more active. This can change their hair from wavy to curly.

What is damaged hair?

Mechanical Hair Damage

Mechanical damage is caused by friction to the hair, which can come in many forms. Harsh brushing, using heat tools too much, excessive blow-drying or styling in salons. This type of mechanical damage will be visible on the cuticle - you'll notice dry, dull strands, a texture change and breakage.

How to bring out natural curls?

How to Define Your Curls: Top 10 Tips & Popular Methods
  1. Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner.
  2. Apply a Leave-in Conditioner.
  3. Apply a Hair Oil.
  4. Use a Microfibre Towel or Cotton T-Shirt.
  5. Embrace the “Praying Hands” Method.
  6. Scrunch Your Curls.
  7. Use a Diffuser on Low Heat.
  8. Refresher Spray.

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