Fibres in the latter group were thicker, stronger and stiffer, with a greater scalp density. This means that curlier hair was found to be thicker, stronger and more resilient under mechanical forces than the near-straight hair.
Curly hair is a bit more delicate than straight hair, and the tighter the curl or coil, the more fragile the strand.
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.
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.
Disulphide bonds are considered some of the strongest naturally-occuring bonds in nature. While the shape and placement of the follicle determines your curliness, it's the disulphide bonds that keep the hair holding on to its shape once above scalp level and exposed to the air.
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.
The natural oils that coat your scalp don't make their way as easily down the hair shaft if your hair is curly, which is why curly hair is much more susceptible to dryness than stick-straight hair, explains Samra.
Because curly hair is naturally dry, it can become brittle and break off easily.
Curls are fragile things. They think they're really tough, but on the inside they're a delicate little strand that needs handling with care. And just like us, they can only take on so much stress until they reach breaking point.
Fine hair texture is the most delicate and fragile hair type. Typically, type 2 waves and type 3 curls fall into this category. However, you can find fine hair across a wide variety of curl types. If you find that your hair is both fine and curly, it can be quite the challenge to perfect your curls.
Fine hair is the most fragile hair texture. Each individual hair is thin and only has two hair layers; cortex and cuticle. If you have this hair type, you might find it hard to keep your hair in a style, or it might get oily easily.
Yes, only 11% of the population have curly hair.
The fact of the matter is that curly hair takes a longer time to grow longer because it grows in a curl, rather than straight down. But curly hair, as well as straight hair, usually grows about 1/2” per month. So with patience, and with a coordinated plan with your hair stylist, you can have longer hair.
Follicles that are more oval in shape cause curlier hair to grow. Very tightly coiled hair is due to the nearly flat, ribbon-like structure of their follicles. This hair texture is very common in people of African ancestry. Not only is African hair often coiled, it also has a unique texture.
Curly hair is dominant, so someone is more likely to have curly or wavy hair if at least one of their parents does. Recent research points to trichohyalin, a protein in hair follicles, as having primary influence over hair curl. However, there are many genes contributing to hair curliness, most of them unknown.
Fibres in the latter group were thicker, stronger and stiffer, with a greater scalp density. This means that curlier hair was found to be thicker, stronger and more resilient under mechanical forces than the near-straight 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 is not certain to a race or ethnicity, it appears all over the world in many forms. White, brown, black and everything inbetween! There is also a scale on which curly hair is classified (2a-4c).
Hair Type and Hair Loss
All things being equal, there's no evidence that there's any difference in the natural cycle of hair loss for people with either straight or curly hair. We all shed hair at various times in the hair growth cycle but having straight or curly hair doesn't have much of an impact either way.
Con: Straightening And Brushing Is Difficult
It is not only unmanageable but also takes at least an hour to straighten them. Dry brushing can lead to split end and breakage and combing or brushing your hair dry will cause frizziness. This is why you should always use hair treatment products before you bush your hair.
Here are some of nature's main benefits to those with curly/coily hair: Heat Insulation and Cooling. Curlier and drier hair is beneficial in climates that are hot. The hair provides a layer of protection against direct sunlight and keeps the scalp cool.
Curly hair has a natural tendency for dryness, much more so than straight hair. This is because the natural oils your scalp produces can travel down the strand of a straight hair much easier than a curly one.
Your curls are at their most fragile state when they are wet, which is why it is so important to treat wet hair with care. If you overwork your curls while they are wet, there is a bigger chance of damaging and breaking your hair! This means more time spent repairing and that's no fun!
Is curly or straight hair common? 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.
As you get older, your curls may drop, loosen, or even form new curl patterns due to hormonal changes, like menopause. Environmental factors such as gravity, climate, and pollution also play a part. The thinner and weaker your aging curly hair is, the less likely it is to actually curl.