How rare is curly hair?

Author: Felipe Will  |  Last update: Friday, January 9, 2026

Naturally, curly hair is relatively common but varies by population and ethnicity. Globally, it's estimated that about 11% of people have naturally curly hair. The prevalence can be higher or lower in specific regions due to genetic diversity and ancestral backgrounds.

How rare is really curly hair?

Can curly hair be considered rare? Only 11% of people have naturally curly hair. Yes, less than 20% of women in the US have curly hair.

What is the rarest hair type?

Type 1A is the rarest hair type and is stick-straight without even a hint of a wave.

What are the odds of having curly hair?

So, no curly hair parents, 1 in 4 children have curly hair. One curly parent, still 1 in 4 children have curly hair.

Is curly hair attractive or not?

Depends, but in general according to several studies backed by statistics, curly haired people are indeed considered more attractive than people with straight hair. Several experiential studies were conducted in which most people preferred curly or wavy haired people over straight hair especially regarding men.

Find Out Your True Hair Type with This Simple Test

Is curly hair weak hair?

Curls are thinner and more fragile.

Exposure to the mechanical stress of brushing and detangling can lead to breakage. A study conducted on curly hair shows that it requires 5-50x the combing force of straight hair. Extra strengthening products are essential.

Do boys like curly or straight hair?

The Final Verdict. Boiling it all down, the 'Do guys like straight hair or curly? ' question is undeniably subject to personal preferences. There is no universally favored hair texture; the best choice is what resonates with the individual.

What races have curly hair?

Genotyping results show that 94.9% of Black people have curly hair. Additionally, 12.7% of Europeans and 12% of Asian people have curls. Biracial hair is a complicated term, and it does not refer specifically to one hair type or shape.

What causes curly hair?

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. Your genetic code also plays a role in the shape of the cortex and, therefore, the shape and thickness of your hair.

Is it rare to have straight pubic hair?

Curly hair is more common and can help with reducing friction. But if you've got straighter hair, you're not alone—it's less typical but totally normal.

What is the prettiest hair type?

A general observation across experiments was that straight hair was perceived as younger, healthier, and more attractive than wavy hair and darker shades (medium copper and brown) were perceived more positively than blonde hair.

What is the 1 rarest hair color?

Nature's Rarest Palette: Red Hair Standing at the apex of rarity, natural red hair occurs in just 1-2% of the global population. This striking shade results from a specific genetic variant of the MC1R gene, requiring both parents to pass on the recessive trait.

What is the rarest eye color?

The rarest eye colors are red and violet, which are primarily found in individuals with albinism. Excluding those affected by albinism, green and gray eyes are considered the most uncommon.

What does curly hair symbolize?

Curly hair is often associated with a fun-loving, warm hearted and outgoing personality. If you have curly hair you are perceived as being courageous, outspoken, and spontaneous. You are probably someone who likes to challenge perceptions and norms.

What is the rarest curl type?

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.

Do Mexicans have curly hair?

The standard deviation (±) and range are expressed for each of the averages. Straight hair was the most predominant hair type − 84% (21/25) in men and 64% (16/25) in women - followed by wavy hair − 12% (3/25) and 28% (7/25), respectively. Curly hair was present in 4% (1/25) and 8% (2/25) of men and women, respectively.

Why is curly hair attractive?

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.

What are the disadvantages of 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.

How rare is naturally 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.

What race has the thinnest hair?

Caucasian hair has a thinner diameter than Asian hair (60 – 80 µm in diameter), and therefore tends to appear 'finer' than Asian hair, even though there is typically more hair on the head (around 700,000).

What is 1b hair type?

1b Hair Type

While not stick-straight (that would be 1a hair), 1b hair falls straight from the root to the middle of the hair, where it might start to appear slightly wavy. It tends to be soft, with mostly fine strands, and when it's healthy, looks shiny and smooth.

Why is curly hair frizzy?

What causes frizzy waves, curls and coils? Frizz is ultimately caused by a lack of moisture, leading to hair cuticle damage, which makes the hair reach into the air for moisture (that's why humidity is your nemesis).

Is wavy hair rare?

Hair morphology is one of the more conspicuous features of human variation and is particularly diverse among people of European ancestry, for which around 45% of individuals have straight hair, 40% have wavy hair, and 15% have curly hair.

How to get curly hair?

One popular method is to braid your hair while it's damp and let it dry overnight. This can give you beautiful, loose waves by morning. You can also use curlers or rods to achieve tighter curls. Another effective method is to twist your hair while it's damp and let it dry overnight.

Previous article
What is a normal reaction to a Brazilian wax?
Next article
What not to do after using whitening strips?