What Makes Hair Wavy?
The shape of your hair follicles is the primary determinant of whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or kinky.
Hair follicles that are round in cross-section produce straight hair. However, the more flattened or elliptical the follicle's shape, the more wavy, curly, or kinky your hair will be. This flattening influences the way the hair grows out of the scalp, creating bends and curves. A more oval follicle shape results in a wavy pattern, whereas increasingly flattened shapes lead to tighter curls or kinks.
Other Contributing Factors
While follicle shape is key, other factors can influence how wavy your hair appears:
- Genetics: Your genes largely determine the shape of your hair follicles. This is why hair texture tends to run in families.
- Hormones: Hormonal changes, particularly during puberty and aging, can impact hair texture. Fluctuations can affect hair's overall structure and hydration, sometimes causing changes in waviness.
- Hair Damage: While damage itself doesn't change the follicle shape, it can disrupt the hair's structure. This disorganization can make naturally curly hair appear straighter or make naturally wavy hair appear frizzier, thus altering its perceived waviness. This is because damage breaks down the bonds within the hair shaft, causing a loss of definition in the natural curl pattern.
- Moisture Levels: Hair's moisture content significantly impacts its appearance. Well-hydrated hair will often show its natural wave pattern more clearly, whereas dry hair may appear straighter or frizzier.
Understanding the Differences: Wavy vs. Curly
It's important to note the distinction between wavy and curly hair. Wavy hair typically forms an 'S' shape, while curly hair completes a full 360-degree spiral.
