Studies have shown that the morphology of the hair follicle can be influenced by a person's race. Individuals of African ancestry, for example, are more likely to have curly hair due to the oval shape of their hair follicles.
Curly hair is most common amongst people with African, Mediterranean and Native American ancestry.
in places like sri lanka, the maldives, central india, and south india id even go as far to say that curly hair is as common there as it is in places like the mediterranean and ireland. One of my friends who is sri lankan even has type 4 hair (4A).
genes and me » hair curl. 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 origins of curly hair and Afro-textured hair can be traced back to the African continent. People of African descent, particularly those from West and Central Africa, have traditionally had curly or tightly coiled hair.
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.
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.
Asian hair is the thickest, with a larger diameter of about 70 µm. Caucasian hair has an average diameter of 65 µm, and African hair is the finest, with a diameter of 55 µm. The cross-section of Asian hair is the most round and uniform, Caucasian hair has an elliptical shape, and African hair has a flattened shape.
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.
Though there are many variations in hair type, persons of African descent generally have wavy or curly hair. The amount of curl is different for each person and can range from wavy to tightly coiled.
Kinky hair, is a human hair texture prevalent in the indigenous populations of many regions with hot climates, mainly Sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia and Australia.
According to Curlkeeper, less than 20% of people have curly hair, making it a rare hair type. However, curly hair comes in all kinds of different styles starting with super coiled curls to slightly wavy. Curly hair requires work to maintain and take care of it, making it hard for some to stick to the routine.
Nowadays, with global standards shifting towards decolonization, all-natural textures, and personal choice, Filipinos of all genders can wear their hair however they please, be it straight, curly, or in different colors.
Curly hair has for centuries always been linked to individuals of Middle Eastern and African ethnicity.
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.
People who have type 3 hair have S shaped bouncy curls that are well defined, dry and slightly rough. This type has further three hair texture types for African-American hair: type 3a, 3b and 3c.
According to recent DNA studies, most Mexicans have a small amount of African, averaging to about 5% African DNA. Therefore, Afro-Mexican refers to those Mexicans with above-average levels of specifically West African ancestry that is noticeable in their appearance.
However, the use of Chino has survived in modern Mexican Spanish via the term pelo chino (Chino hair) when referring to curly hair.
Hispanic hair can exhibit a range of curl types, including wavy (Type 2), curly (Type 3), and coily (Type 4) textures.
Anthropologist Joseph Deniker said in 1901 that the very hirsute peoples are the Ainus, Uyghurs, Iranians, Australian aborigines (Arnhem Land being less hairy), Toda, Dravidians and Melanesians, while the most glabrous peoples are the Indigenous Americans, San, and East Asians, who include Chinese, Koreans, Mongols, ...
Asian hair
Because of its extra diameter, it is also the strongest, and most resistant to damage. It is normally straight or only lightly wavy with a good amount of volume, because of its thicker diameter, even though there are typically less hairs per head (around 500,000).
Skin barrier function is reportedly stronger in darker skin tones (the stratum corneum is the skin barrier). Asian skin is reported to have similarities with Caucasian skin in terms of water loss and has the weakest barrier function.
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.
In many societies, curly hair symbolizes vitality, strength, and beauty. Historical icons, artists, and influencers have celebrated their natural curls, paving the way for a global movement that champions authenticity and self-expression.
While the name suggests a connection to Irish heritage, and it is indeed commonly seen in those of Irish descent, it's important to note that anyone can have this curl pattern. The main characteristic is the noticeable difference in texture between the top layer and the underneath layers of hair.