You were born with curly hair because of your genes! Curly hair is a dominant trait, meaning you only need to inherit one gene for curly hair from either parent to express that trait.
Genetics and Hair Texture
- Dominant vs. Recessive Genes: As stated in several sources (Healthline, CurlyEllie), curly hair is considered a dominant gene (represented as 'C'), while straight hair is recessive ('c').
- Inheritance: If you inherited at least one 'C' gene from either parent, you will likely have curly hair. Even if you received one 'C' and one 'c' gene, the dominant 'C' gene will determine your hair texture. Only if you inherited two recessive 'c' genes ('cc') would you have straight hair. (Healthline)
- Parental Influence: If one parent has curly hair and the other has straight hair, there's a significant chance you would inherit the curly hair gene (Healthline). It's a matter of which gene is passed down.
Hair Texture Changes Over Time
While genetics play a primary role, it's important to note that hair texture can change over time, influenced by factors like hormones and hair care practices. (Quora, Reddit r/curlyhair). However, your initial hair texture is predominantly determined by your inherited genes.
Examples
- Scenario 1: Parent 1 (Cc - curly hair) and Parent 2 (cc - straight hair) could produce offspring with either curly (Cc) or straight (cc) hair.
- Scenario 2: Parent 1 (CC or Cc) and Parent 2 (Cc) are more likely to produce offspring with curly hair.
Remember, this is a simplified explanation, and other genes can influence hair texture, but the dominant/recessive nature of the curly hair gene is the primary reason for your curly hair.
