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What Makes Hair Curly?

Published in Hair Genetics 2 mins read

Hair curliness is primarily determined by the shape of the hair follicle, the pore in the skin from which hair grows. A curved follicle produces curly hair, while a straight follicle produces straight hair. The follicle's shape influences how the hair's proteins are distributed, resulting in the characteristic curl pattern.

Factors Influencing Hair Curls:

  • Follicle Shape: This is the most significant factor. Oval or asymmetrical follicles create curly hair, whereas round follicles produce straight hair. The degree of curvature determines the tightness of the curl.

  • Protein Distribution: The way keratin, the main protein in hair, is distributed within the hair shaft also plays a role. Irregular keratin distribution contributes to the formation of curls.

  • Disulfide Bonds: These chemical bonds between sulfur-containing amino acids within the hair's protein structure influence curl formation. A perm, for instance, alters these bonds to create curls.

  • Genetics: Your genes largely determine the shape of your hair follicles and, therefore, your hair's natural curl pattern. This can change during puberty due to hormonal fluctuations.

  • Environmental Factors: While not the primary cause, environmental factors like humidity can temporarily affect hair curl. High humidity can cause hair to swell, making curls appear looser or tighter, depending on the hair type.

Different Types of Curls:

Hair curl patterns vary widely. This is due to several factors working together:

  • The curvature of the hair follicle creating varying degrees of curl.
  • The thickness and density of the hair also affect the look and feel of curls.
  • The level of moisture in the hair.

The shape and size of the hair follicle, coupled with the distribution of keratin and the formation of disulfide bonds, are fundamental to determining whether hair grows out straight or curly.