Curly hair is most often categorized into three different types: type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly), and type 4 (kinky and coily).
The curl type system focuses on 3 types - wavy, curly and coily, which are then broken down in 3 further sub types that are determined by the shape and diameter of your curl.
Coily Curls
The last, but most rare type of curl is the coily curl. This curl type is similar to that of an afro and when observed carefully, looks like the angular letter 'Z'. These curls require the most amount of moisture, as the hair type is much thicker than the other curl types.
Yes, only 11% of the population have curly hair.
The story of human migration and evolution is written in hair DNA. In sub-Saharan Africa, genes favour tight, curly hair. But in east Asia, mutations have led to straighter, thicker hair. In Europe, other mutations brought wavy and straw-coloured hair.
Curly hair-acral keratoderma-caries syndrome is an extremely rare ectodermal dysplasia syndrome characterized by premature loss of curly, brittle, dry hair, premature loss of teeth due to caries, nail dystrophy with thickening of the finger- and toe-nails, acral keratoderma and hypohidrosis.
Out of all the hair types, types 4A, 4B and 4C are the curliest. They tend to form a compacted Z pattern, plus they have a high density that requires creams, gels and custards to hold their shape and reduce volume. Plus, due to the lack of cuticle layers, coily hair also requires extra moisture.
Less than 20% of people have naturally curly hair. The percentage gets even smaller when you consider the scores of guys out there who don't embrace their curls.
Curly hair is considered a “dominant” gene trait. Straight hair is considered “recessive.” To put that in simple terms, that means that if one parent gives you a curly-haired gene and the other parent gives you a straight-haired gene, you'll be born with curly hair.
Type 3C. 3C curls are tight corkscrews that range in circumference from a straw to a pencil, like you see her on Nathalie Emmanuel. Strands are densely packed together, giving way to lots of natural volume.
Type 4c. 4c hair is the queen of thick, bold afros. From afar, 4c hair looks like a thick fro, but if you look closely, you'll notice very tight, small springs or coils on each strand. Coils are pretty different from curls.
Type 3B - This type of curly hair is characterized by bouncy ringlets the circumference of a Sharpie marker. Type 3B curls are often dry and frizz-prone, so look for hydrating, strong-hold styling gels that'll keep your ringlets perfectly defined all day long.
2C type hair is extremely wavy but not coily. The S-shape bends in the hair start off at the roots. These waves are defined and thick. The bends are looser and wider than the tighter structure of curly hair.
Meet type 1C hair: the waviest of the straight hair without being definitively wavy (confusing, we know). So what exactly does that mean? Type 1C hair tends to feature strands that lie flat at the root with subtle body, arcs, and bends throughout the mid-sections. It can hold a curl and air dries like a dream.
One popular myth is that hair loss in men is passed down from the mother's side of the family while hair loss in women is passed down from the father's side; however, the truth is that the genes for hair loss and hair loss itself are actually passed down from both sides of the family.
Curly hair is a bit more delicate than straight hair, and the tighter the curl or coil, the more fragile the strand.
Thick (Coarse)
Thick or coarse hair texture is the strongest hair texture and typically feels coarse or thick to the touch. Coarse hair contains all three hair layers – the cortex, cuticle and medulla.
There is an American woman who has the longest curly hair in the world. Let's take a look at the world's longest curly hair in this article. Her name is Asha Mandela, 47, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She is the owner of the longest curly hair in the world with a length of 17m and weighs about 19kg.
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.
C curl lashes are intended for clients with a slight curl in their natural lash and will create an open-eye effect. D curl lashes are very similar, just curlier! They are intended for a client with a slight-dramatic natural curl who wants a dramatic look!
For example, variation in the TCHH gene is often responsible for curly vs straight hair in people with European ancestry, while variation in the EDAR gene is often responsible for straight hair in people with Asian ancestry.
Your hair is naturally voluminous
Curls adds volume to your hair effortlessly, and you never have to worry about it being flat, limp and lifeless like those with straight hair. Even on days when you straighten your curls, there is always going to be that little amount of volume that will make others go green with envy.
So back to your question, here is a simplified answer. If both of your parents have curly hair, you are more likely to inherit the trait of curly hair. This means that you have received both copies of the curly hair gene from your parents. However, one parent could have straight hair while the other has curly hair.