WHY IS MY HAIR CURLY?

Ever wondered just what it is that makes hair curly? Let us straighten out the story for you, and get some curly hair care tips into the bargain

The science behind curly hair

For most of us, it’s enough to know that our curly (or straight) locks are down to genetics.

But that’s just the simple answer – what’s the science behind it, and what does it mean for your day-to-day routine?

You’re probably already familiar with hair follicles, the part of the skin that a strand of hair emerges from.

It’s also the bit responsible for curls, determining both the shape of the hair and the angle it grows at: an asymmetrical follicle (curved or hooked like the letter “J”) causes curvature, leading to an oval shaped strand that grows at a sharper angle and appears curly.

When the follicle is symmetrical, the hair will grow out straight and round.

Your follicles aren’t the only decider though: the distribution of a specific type of keratin also plays a role.

Keratins are proteins that make up most of a hair strand.

One type of keratin in particular is a bit lopsided in curly hair, bunching up in the curve of the hair.

While these are the biggest reasons for curly hair, they’re not the only ones.
You can experience temporary curls due to humidity, hormonal changes, and even certain medications.

So, now you know WHY you have curly hair, how about we look at how to keep it healthy?