Why did I just develop a cowlick?

Author: Vicky Kassulke  |  Last update: Sunday, August 10, 2025

If you have a cowlick hairline or crown, you can likely thank one or both of your parents—genetics are the main reason cowlicks crop up as your hair grows.

Why am I suddenly getting cowlicks?

Cowlicks are caused by the natural growth pattern of hair follicles and can occur regardless of hair thickness. Styling techniques, such as using the right hair products and blow-drying techniques, can help manage cowlicks and create a desired hairstyle.

Is it possible to develop a cowlick later in life?

Well, our hair can change texture as we get older, so growth patterns that weren't evident as kids are more affected with a different texture of hair, so it could be that, too. I have a cowlick in my front hairline that I didn't discover til I was 27 because of how I've worn my hair most of my life!

Why did I wake up with a cowlick?

As someone moves around, the hair does not move with them, causing hair to bend. Someone sleeping can also crush their hairs under the weight of their head, creating cowlicks. A silk pillowcase allows hairs to slide down.

Can cowlicks just appear?

Cowlicks are there when you're born and don't go away throughout life, unfortunately. Sometimes you can ``train'' your hair to go against its growth pattern (depending on the texture), but the cowlick is still there. It's simply the direction in which your hair grows out of your head.

Fixing The Dreaded Back Part

What does a cowlick indicate?

Cowlicks result from the hair follicle's angle, causing hair to grow in a spiral pattern. While they can be a styling challenge, cowlicks don't indicate hair loss or balding. The most common characteristics of cowlicks include: Visible spiral or circular hair growth pattern.

What is alfalfa hair?

The term "alfalfa hair" refers to a unique hair phenomenon in which individual strands stick up or stand upright, resembling alfalfa sprouts. This phenomenon can occur for a variety of reasons, including hair texture, humidity, static electricity, and overall hair health.

Can you develop new cowlicks?

Cowlicks are the result of the hair growth angle and direction from the follicle, which can create a spiral or whorl pattern. These patterns are present from birth and often stay consistent throughout life.

Can you reverse a cowlick?

Can you fix a cowlick? Not permanently — cowlicks are surprisingly stubborn. But with the right haircut, styling products, and grooming techniques, you can temporarily hide those unyielding tufts. Below, we'll explain why cowlicks develop and share a handful of tips for taming or camouflaging those pesky strands.

How to fix cowlick after sleeping?

"Using a concentrator on your blowdryer and medium heat while pushing the hair in the opposite direction of the cowlick is the best way to neutralize it," says Rourk.

Do cowlicks worsen with age?

In conclusion, while cowlicks themselves do not necessarily get worse with age, the changes in hair density, texture, and health can make them appear more prominent or behave differently. By understanding these changes and how to manage them, individuals can maintain their desired appearance and confidence.

Do cowlicks bald first?

Though cowlicks can sometimes mimic thinning hair, they aren't an early sign of balding.

Is it possible to get a cowlick later in life?

These mostly endearing traits are most common in young children and tend to get better with age, but sometimes appear later in life when hair begins to thin. Because they can appear during periods of hair loss, a lot of men with cowlicks worry that the tufts are a sign of balding.

Can you train a cowlick away?

The short answer is no. The direction of hair growth is formed at the roots, where pores orient the hair in one direction or various directions. Since this cannot be changed, we manipulate cowlicks with creative styling goals aimed at controlling or disguising the unruly strands.

How rare is a cowlick?

Cowlicks are extremely common, but they can range from unnoticeable to glaringly obvious.

What causes cowlicks?

What causes cowlicks? Usually, cowlicks are simply hereditary, caused by your genes. They can also happen after a serious head injury, surgery, or even if you've shaved your head. That's because this can affect the way your hair grows.

Can you have bangs with a cowlick?

"Having heavy fringe will help weigh down well over the cowlick so that if it pops up, it's completely concealed. Ask your hairdresser to cut the thickest portion of the bangs directly behind the cowlick—think of the classic triangle bangs, where the triangle point is at the top of the head.

Can you randomly develop a cowlick?

Anyone can have cowlicks; you're either born with or without them. Your hair follicles develop in utero, which dictates the direction of hair growth (Sechi, 2020). Whether or not you have cowlicks, and how many, depends on your genes.

How to fix a cowlick permanently?

There's only two ways you can fix a cowlick, and that's to get your haircut really short. so you can't see it anymore. Or you grow it out so your hair has enough weight.

Can stress cause hair loss?

Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair.

What is alpha hair?

Alpha Hair is an organic hair serum that addresses the four essential needs to achieve and maintain strong, full, and shiny hair: Purification. Balance. Nutrition. Stimulation.

Why are there hairs sticking up on my head?

Dryness — When hair is dry, it absorbs any excess moisture from the environment leading to flyaways. Product buildup — Product build-up coats your hair so it can't get the moisture it needs. This leads to dry hair and flyaways. Poor hair hygiene — Not washing your hair enough can also lead to flyaways.

What is a calf lick?

A calf lick is the weird parting in your fringe where your hair grows in a different direction, usually to one side.

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