We report on a new GWAS comparing low and high curl individuals in South Africa, revealing strong links to polymorphic variation in trichohyalin, a copper transporter protein CUTC and the inner root sheath component keratin 74. This builds onto the growing knowledge base describing the control of curly hair formation.
Your hair is made of keratin, a type of protein. This and all proteins are made up of individual molecules called amino acids. Amino acids interact with each other on the interior and exterior of proteins, and one in particular interacts in such a way that it causes hair to curl. This amino acid is called cystine.
Curly hair has to do with the chemical bonds in the protein that makes up hair - α-keratin. Keratins, particularly α-keratin, have long sequences of amino acids (often more than 300) which forms a helical structure.
The main hormones that determine the nature of your hair follicles are Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, androgens and insulin. A lack of Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine can make hair feel dry and brittle. Whereas an increase in androgens are more closely connected to affecting shape.
Keratin is packed with the multiple copies of the amino acid cysteine which is comprised of a sulfur chemical group that allows it to bond easier with other sulfur containing molecules. With curly hair, there are disulfide bonds that form in the strands that brings the hair closer together forming the curl.
All curly hair needs protein and moisture. In fact, our hair is made up of a protein called keratin. But the amount you need of each will depend on your hair type (i.e. texture/thickness and porosity).
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.
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.
If you notice your hair is limp and stringy — without the normal bounce that curly and coily hair is known for — you could have a protein deficiency. By adding protein to your hair, you will boost elasticity and create a bouncier, fuller mane that is easier to style.
Hormones and hair texture
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.
Hydrogen Bonds- These temporary bonds are what make your hair curl up on a humid day. They change every time your hair gets wet and dries. These are also the bonds that you manipulate when you use heat styling tools like curling irons or straighteners.
Acne, wrinkle meds (retinoids) Several case studies have reported patients whose hair became curlier from two months to a year after taking retinoid medications that include treatments for eczema and psoriasis.
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.
In contrast, straight hair has round follicles, and cysteines are not close enough to form these texturizing disulfide bonds. Therefore, the more hooked the hair follicle and the more disulfide bonds found in the hair, the curlier and coarser it will be.
If your curls are overloaded on protein – Your hair will feel brittle and extra dry and that causes more complications such as breakage and loss of curl pattern. To enthuse more moisture and quench your dry curls, add more moisturizing products and don't forget to deep condition regularly.
By incorporating biotin, vitamin D, and vitamin E into your hair care routine and diet, you can promote hair growth, combat dryness, and frizz, and enjoy a head full of healthy, envy-inducing curls for many years to come.
When hair moves through round follicles, it gets evenly coated with a protein called keratin. Keratin is what gives human hair structure. Hair that grows through oval follicles tends to have more keratin on one side than the other. As a result, it curls.
One major sign is a change in the look and texture of your hair as it may start to look dry, dull, and brittle. Your hair may feel more coarse and struggle to hold a curl when dealing with protein overload. Too much protein may also cause split ends and breakage, leaving hair to shed more.
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.
Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, and "corkscrew hairs" as seen in this picture, can occur as a result of scurvy.
Ever wondered why your hair takes on new textures as you age? The answer lies within your hair follicles. As time goes on, follicles often shrink, affecting the thickness and structure of your hair shaft. This can enhance your curls or, on the flip side, make your once-curly hair lose some of its bounce.
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.
Hormones are a possible trigger for the curly hair gene. As well as affecting the quality of your hair, hormones can change your muscle tone too. This includes your scalp. The change of muscle tone could affect the shape of your hair follicles and their direction of growth.
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.