Welcome to a week celebrating curly hair!
Now you know why your hair is curly but what if your hair changes?
That’s exactly what happened to my hair.
For years I had long, straight hair. Maybe it was a little wavy, but never frizzy. Then one day it started to change.
All of a sudden I had curly hair.
And I had no idea how to style it.
It took a long journey of trial and error to work out how to style my curls. I slowly fell in love with my curls and they are the reason I started Hair Romance.
Now I know from your comments and questions that I’m not alone in this hair change and I have found some reasons why this happens.
Why did my hair change from straight to curly?
There are several theories as to why hair changes texture.
Hormones, stress and ageing as seen as the common causes for changes to your hair texture and quality.
You’d think, with the size of the hair industry, there would be a conclusive answer to this question, but research is still underway and there are no decisive results.
One interesting fact about curly hair is that the gene for straight hair is recessive but that the curly hair gene is not completely dominant. That means you could have the curly hair gene but until it’s activated, your waves and curls will be dormant too.
The most likely theory, in my opinion, is to do with your hormones. Hormones are a possible trigger for the curly hair gene.
As well as affecting the quality of your hair, hormones can change your muscle tone too. This includes your scalp. The change of muscle tone could affect the shape of your hair follicles and their direction of growth. Straight hair follicles grow straight out but curly hair follicles have a hook shape.
With my hair, puberty was the when my curls decided to appear and this fits with the hormone changes. For many women, pregnancy and birth have a significant impact on their hair too.
So if you’ve noticed significant changes to your hair texture, check your hormone levels and talk to your doctor and hairdresser about it.
How to cope with the change to your hair
If like me, you’re finding your new curly hair difficult to handle compared to straight hair, help is at hand. Start here with my guide to styling curly hair and check out my other curly hair posts.
On the other hand, if you had curly hair and it’s starting to go straight, find out how to get your curl back.
Have you experienced a major change in your hair? Has your hair gone from straight to curly, or the other way round? Tell me about it in the comments.
PS. Have you seen Hair Romance’s new curly hair ebook?
Learn how to master your curls and manage your frizz with the 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles ebook. Inside you’ll find over 35 different tutorials with hairstyles for all occasions.
Make your mornings easier and never worry about straightening your hair again with this ebook that will help you to love your curls.
Click here to get your copy of 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles.
Hi, my name is Rosa and my daughter top and crown hair is straight sometimes wavy, but the nape hair is very very curly, Would you recommend to cut her hair in a certain way? I would like her hair would be completely curly!!!!
Hi Rosa, it’s normal to have a mix of different curl patterns across the same head of hair. There’s no way to change the curls, but over time, they should adjust. The underneath of my hair used to be straight and now it’s super tight ringlets. It happens on it’s own x
I am 20 years old. I had wavy hair and i used to use straightener to get them hair. Since 2 years i am using straightener. Not daily though. 5-6 times a month. Now i have noticed that my hairs are getting more and more wavy or i should say actually curly. Is it because of the straightener ? Please recommend me some tips to get straight hair naturally and get rid of these curls.
I don’t think your straightener is causing your hair to become curly, it’s probably just your hair. My hair changed from straight to curly when I was a teenager. There’s no way to get straight hair naturally if your hair is curly. If you want straight hair you can get salon straightening treatments like a Brazilian blowout or Japanese straightening xx
YES. My hair is going curly! I’m 35 and have had straight to mildly wavy hair my entire life. I now look like someone with a bad perm.
Oddly enough, it’s the LOWER half of my head, from the ears down, that’s curliest.
I will blame hormones. Thank you for this post, I can’t believe it took me this long to google it.
Hi I am 19 and My hair I dont know its some how a combination of curls and waves but its a little frizzy. Will combing it after washing and everyday make it more frizzy and unmanagable? Or combing should be done on curly hair everyday. Please help me.
I only comb my curls when I’m washing and conditioning my hair. Any time I brush or comb my dry hair, I get so much frizz x
hi ,just a inquiry. I wash my hair and put shampoo and conditioner than brush my hair when its still wet as you stated too but how do I brush my hair when its dry because I use ALDI’s coco loco (coconut oil)is that good for my hair??my hair is at the top afroish and at the bottom is straight.my fringe used to be staraight but changed quite recently.i heard that I shouldn’t use coconut oil to moisture my hair but I don’t know should I??would love a reply
Hi Diamonte! Coconut oil is great for hair though on fine hair it can be a bit heavy. Coconut oil is great as a treatment before you wash your hair x
thank you for the reply very handy.but another inquiry :how do I brush my hair when its dry??
would love a reply
Thanks! I rarely brush my curly hair when it’s dry. I’d only dry brush this when I’ve straightened my hair. As for how to deal with knots and things like that, this post will help – https://www.hairromance.com/2012/11/reader-question-get-knots-out-curly-hair.html xx
My family has the curly hair gene because the majority of my moms siblings and their kids have curly hair. When I was a kid I had straight hair and it was mostly always short. Then when I was roughly 8 or so I got a haircut and after that it just curled up. Years after I started growing it out but it looked weird. From the root of my hair down to half way was curly and the rest was like straight. I don’t know if the weight of it caused it because I grew it out to above my hips. Now I cut it to above my shoulders and it’s a curly mess lol.
I am a quarter Japanese a little Indian (not sure how much still researching) and Caucasian. So I had somewhat thick straight hair until I was like 21/22. My hair changed to thinner wavy I guess. It’s straight then waves and I can make it curlier with a little product. Also at the same time my eyes started to turn green. Jade green contacts and all this and they stopped working they did not pop anymore. So I just started getting clear. All of a sudden everyone is complimenting me on my eyes lol. They change from brown to hazel and green. I had always wanted green eyes and curly hair lol. The explanation my family and I have assumed all these years is that for whatever reason I started shifting to my dads attributes. He has curly hair and his eyes change from blue to green and to grey. My siblings also have the straight to curly hair. Only blue eyes though and they always had the hair. Maybe that helps lol
I meant I used to always wear jade green contacts but they stopped working. They used to be so vibrant. I just the company got cheap. So I just started wearing clear because nothing looked good. I wanted them to look natural not in ur face fake.
wow, that’s amazing Sarah! I wonder if there’s a link between hair colour and eye colour…
The top layer of my hair is straight but the 2nd and 3rd layer of my hair is getting really wavy. It makes styling it a nightmare. I wish it would either be straight or curly! Pick one! Help?
Hi Elizabeth – I feel your frustration! The same thing happened with my hair and continues to happen, I’m afraid. The underneath is now much curlier but the top is quite wavy. I twist sections of my hair when they’re wet and add some curl cream to help the curls to form. They will eventually blend together better. Good luck! x
I’m 27 years old, and recently graduated from law school, took the Bar exam, and am now a lawyer. Over the past couple of years, the curls I’ve had since I was born have gone straight. I wonder if stress could be impacting my hormones and changing the hair follicle? I’ve always curled my hair, and the curls stay for days. Now, the curls fall hours after I’ve styled my hair. Not sure what products to use. Any advice would be so very helpful 🙂
Hi Daniella, congrats on your graduation! Stress can play a part but it also sounds like you’re styling your hair fairly frequently with heat. Over time this can cause your hair to straighten as well. Maybe on weekends you can give your hair a rest and try some different upstyles that don’t need heat and see how this affects your hair. A tip I find to help when curling my hair is to spray each section with a flexible hold hairspray before I curl it. This helps to set it but you can still brush it out easily. Good luck x
I believe my hair began to change when I became pre-menopausal. It was a gradual shift to waviness that seems to be holding steady now that I’m past menopause. My hair is very fine and shoulder length and I’m struggling to find the right products. My hair can look limp and stringy if I use just a tad too much conditioner but frizzy if I don’t use enough. Just another challenge of getting older!
Thanks for sharing your curl story, and it can be really frustrating to work out the right routine. Maybe a leave-in spray could work well as they’re not too heavy but can help with frizz xx
My hairs become curly because of damage or I don’t oil it or many reason now I want my straight hairs back like my childhood age …. Question is if I take clean shave my hairs will grow straight or curly
It’s impossible to say! It could grow back curlier or straighter, and I’ve had friends with mixed results. If you really want straight hair, I can recommend a keratin treatment in salons to smooth your hair x
I’m jumping on the hormone wagon! I have always had straight hair. So straight and fine that I couldn’t get curls to stay to save my life. It irritated me to no end. Then last June, I had a complete hysterectomy. I cut my hair a few weeks later (it was long and I got a pixie cut). When it started to grow, there was a definite wave. I’m trying to grow it all chin length to see what it will look like. It’s been a struggle to take care of. Before, I’d wash my hair and air dry with no problems. Now, if I do that my hair stands up and out. It’s frizzy and wild. I’ve learned to use hair products and probably spent over $200 on hair stuff alone (possibly more but I’m not telling my husband ;).
I am 67 years old and have had bone straight hair my entire life until this year. Suddenly my entire head is curls, waves. I haven’t got a clue what to do. It is going in a million different directions. I look like a punker.
H E L P
Hi Judy, hope I can help! Please check out my post on styling curly hair here – https://www.hairromance.com/2016/05/wash-style-curly-hair.html as there are lots of tips. If you have longer hair, you might like my curly hair ebook too – https://www.hairromance.com/2016/04/30-days-curly-hairstyles-ebook.html xx
As a child, my hair was very fine, thin, fly away and straight with very little body. It remained that ways most of my life. It would not hold a curl no matter wh as t products I used. Have had it cut ma y many times over the years, bleached twice, many highlights and permed twice. Last year in Feb. I had it cut. I all of a sudden had curly “spots”. It looked horrible s o the next week i had a perm. It is now Feb. One year later. The perm is out, my ha ir was just “frizzy”,couldn’t do any thing with it. I wanted it out of my eyes so last week i got it cut. OMG!now its curly all over, and i LOVE it!!!I am 53 yrs old. Could my age have something to do with?
I just don’t understand why my hair at the roots have gone so curly,I have always had natural wave curls but not at the top roots! I did go through a difficult time in my life lately and has brought on menopause systems which have not gone away from that point! What do you do> I love my longer curls but not at the root lol 🙂
Yup, my hair went from semi-straight (large ringlet at the end) to curly after puberty. It changed to a little straighter after birth but is still quite curly. Not sure why but hormones makes a lot of sense.
It is good to know I’m not alone, but mine I do not believe the hormone theory. I had board straight hair for 35 years. It would not even curl with a perm, much less a curling iron. It did not matter what length it was or what I did with it, it just flat out would not did not curl. Then at 35 it just started getting frizzy and frizzier, with no change to my hormones or anything else. Now its just wavy, but for about three years it was curly, and even when it was half way down my back all I had to do was mist it with water and it would curl right up. Now its like the underneath is straight and the two thirds top part is just a wavy kind of mess. It drives me crazy. Plus now its got were it just breaks so easily it drives me nuts. I don’t use shampoo and haven’t for about 3 years, I use cleaning conditioner, plus more conditioners after. My hair craves moisture like crazy. Its enough to drive me nuts.
Hello, first of all its good to know that I’m not the only one who have this problem, I’m 23 years old nd I always had lond straight hair with length upto my waist. I had never used any hair products on my hair, no hot irons or blow dry. I had never gone to bech nd put my hair in sea water but this year I went to beach for 3or 4 times only nd I stated to see my hair changing. The hair in my head stated to curl, but surprisingly left side have bigger curls and right side have smaller curls and curls are only on the head, rest of length is straight. Since I had never cut my hair so there were split ends so I decided to cut my hair for the first time in my life, I thought they will grow and straight hair will come back but my bad luck nothing like that happened. I dont like this curly head nd rest of hair straight. I don’t know what to do now, I want my straight hair back, please help. Thank you.
Hi Jass, there’s no real way to control these changes (apart from a chemical straightening process in a salon). I wish I could tell you how to change your hair back but I hope you’ll embrace the new curls and the rest of your hair will too xx
Hello,
When I was a child my hair used to be so straight, but then it started to change to wavy over the years, now I am in my thirties and my hair is getting more curly and I really dont mind, the problem is that the hair from my nape and sideburns is growing so tick, frizzy, very different from the rest of my hair. It looks like when your hair get stock in your necklace and it gets all weird. It really feels bad because it is not curly, and even if I iron it it looks so bad. What can i do?
Hi Melissa, it’s normal to have different types of curls and curl patterns in your hair and it can be really frustrating to deal with. Have you seen my curly hair routine video? – https://www.hairromance.com/2016/05/wash-style-curly-hair.html this has more tips and also check out my other curly hair posts here https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair xx
I’m 69 yo. I’ve always had straight hair with a little wave, lots of body. About 8 months ago I went through a terrible health crisis. My potassium bottomed out and it took it about 3 months to get back to normal. Around this same time I started using a CPAP machine. I use it every night, all night long. My energy level has tremendously improved. Well, all of a sudden, my hair begins to curl. At first, it just around the back of my neck. The curls were so tight that they wouldn’t stay straight once pulled out. Now, the sides are getting culy and it is going up the back of my head. I never know, from day to day, what will be curly. My hair was once very coarse; now, it is slightly coarse. I have to use baby shampoo because of itchy scalp. I love the curls and I hope it stays this way. It is so easy to manage. Just wonder what caused the transformation. Oh, I forgot to mention. During the potassium ordeal, I lost over half my hair. It came out in unbelievable amounts. I went to a dermatologist and they sent off a biopsy of my scalp. The results were hair loss due to stress and severe weight loss. I was diagnosed earlier (during this same time) with lymphadema. During my illness with the potassium loss I lost 45 lbs in a month’s time. You never know what life will give you. I just try to take it in stride.
Hey . Just wondering if anyone has an idea of what is going on with my hair… ive always had straight hair but very very thick. I had my first child last year and since then my hair has become very difficult. When i wash it and leave it to dry it just becomes this massive frizz but at either side of my face a few nice defined waves. Blow drying it causes frizz too. I have tried an organic tea tree shampoo but nothing changed. It also feels dry even when wet. And my scalp is becoming really itchy with lumps and bumps. If anyone has any idea what to do i would be so great full 🙂
Hi, i have some struggles with my hair. It used to be compleatly straight. Now half of my hair is frizzy/curly. I thought it might get all curly, but it has stayed like this for a while. Is there anything i can do to”help” the hair to get more curly? Do you think it ever will change?
-Thanks, I love your blog
Hi Jenny, it might still change and my curls have continued to change over time. There are some tips in this post that might help – https://www.hairromance.com/2013/01/how-to-get-your-curl-back.html. I try to twist my hair when it’s wet to encourage ringlets to form xx
Hi, mine’s the opposite. I used to have curly hair from the root but now it’s gone wavy to straight. Are there any other causes apart from using hair dyes and hair straighteners? You mention hormone and stress causing the hair pattern to change, would that still apply to curly hair that has gone straight? Thanks
Hi Nimi, yes the same can happen in reverse. Hormone changes and stress can straighten out curly hair too. Also the longer your hair gets, the curls can turn more into waves as the weight of your hair can hold the curls down xx
At thirty-eight, I’m probably on the older end of “OMG, my straight hair is gone!” But, yes, for 38 years of life I’ve had straight hair. Oh, it’s always held a curl really well, but it was straight. In the 5 weeks between haircuts, my hair went from straight, to some curly and frizzy areas framing my face. With my most recent haircut I made an effort to see my stylist while showing off my newfound curls. She said, “what?” I replied, “I’m not sure what happened, but they’re here now and I need a new style!” I’m sporting a stacked angled bob, something that my straight hair would never in a million years do, and loving it! My husband of 16 years couldn’t believe that the curls were natural when he saw the cut for the first time! I know it’s probably a combination of stress and crazy hormones, but I’ll take the curls any day. You know the old saying about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence? Well, I always admired friends with curls and now that I’ve got some of my own without chemical processing, I’m totally in love and can’t for the life of me figure out why anyone would ever straighten them. Anyway, thank you for a lovely and informative post. I’m looking forward to visiting your site regularly!
I love your joy over your new curls, Andrea! That’s so awesome! Glad you’ve stumbled across my blog and hope you like my curly hair tutorials too xx
Hi I am so difficult one minute I want straight hair and the next I want curly hair. I have really thick hair. I had it Japanese straightened about month ago or so I am not happy with the texture of my hair now. And So I am thinking of going back to curly hair and my boyfriend loves the idea . So what do you think I should do with my crazy thick hair ?
Hi Tracy, I know that struggle well! With Japanese straightening the results can be more permanent and you may need to wait for your natural curls to grow back out. It can take 3-6 months or longer for the effects to wear off your hair. If it was Brazilian keratin the results can wear off in less time. It also depends on your hair and how the treatment was applied too. To go back to your normal curls, just keep a consistent routine and try to avoid heat styling as much as possible. You can find more tips in my curly hair section – https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair. This process may seem like it takes a long time, but it’s worth it. Good luck! x
As a child my hair was dead straight, so dark that even I thought it was black, and super fine (which makes sense since I’m half Asian). As I came into my teen years, my hair is suddenly thick, with ringlets in the front, the rest super wavy and I realized my hair was brown. It’s interesting because I don’t use products, heat of any sort, and the only thing Ive changed was growing out my Asian straight cut fringe, to a side part.. mind you this was in a time frame of one year… this article and the comments helped a lot, and was quite enjoyable haha..
thank you x
Thanks Aysia! There are so many great hair stories here, aren’t there? It really shows that our hair can change at any time. Hope you’re working out how to style your new ringlets xx
I’m 64 and started menopause when I was around 49. I’ve had straight hair all of my life — stick straight, no body,
no wave, nothing. Then, about a year ago I noticed that the back bottom part of my hair was all curly and wouldn’t even flat iron out. Then, several months after that I noticed that the front part was getting curly. Now it’s at a point where I just run some styling cream through it and finger scrunch it with a diffuser and I’ve got curly waves that I paid a fortune for back in the 80’s. I just look at my hair and go “whose hair is this anyway.” 🙂
I love how you’ve embraced your new hair Gyl! x
I had straight hair growing up and then it started to get more kinks as I grew older. I am now in my mid 40s and the last couple of years I get ringlets when my hair dries naturally. I have always had bad dry hair, and I get the dreaded birds nest wvery tome I beush it. What products can I use to enhance the ringlets?
Hi Joanna, check out my curly hair routine and hopefully some of the things I do will help your hair too 🙂
I used to wear my hair in a suuuuper short pixie cut and could only stand to let it grow to about chin- length…it used to be completely straight and I used to perm it all through high school when I wore it longer.
Now, I’m a rape survivor and recovering opioid addict… After all that, I was hospitalized for a time, then rehab then intensive therapy… I was an athlete (swimmer, rower, equestrian…) & then the back injury incurred during serial sexual assault reared its ugly head and made most of those activities impossible…
I kept on swimming, though. Then I slipped and fell on the pool deck and re-injured my back. I decided that I was SOOOO sick of going back and forth in a humid swimming pool and was sort of fighting a losing battle bc I was put on some medication that, although it was therapeutic, caused a BIG-TIME weight gain. I’m STILL coming to terms w THAT, but….
One day I went to my regular stylist n he cut it into my regular pixie cut… It was the first time I’ve ever cried in the chair!!! It was soooo unflattering bc of the sudden weight gain. I got a wig, it was so hot n uncomfortable, but I gutted it out until my hair grew a bit. I also turned 40 during that time. One day, when I was drying my hair after my shower, I noticed a little waviness that, before, had been impossible w/o a perm… As it grew…and grew and grew and grew (all the way past my bum, probably 3 years of growth) it got wavier and wavier…
Now, I OFFICIALLY have CURLY HAIR!! I come from a very light- and fine-haired family, so I just looked up at the sunny sky and shouted, THANK YOU!!! My hair is very thick and full… Always was, but NOW??! Yaaaayuh!! NOW it was curly, too!! What a blessing!! Just while I was thinking that so much about myself was ugly, here was this amazing, AMAZING, thick, full, gorgeous and WAVY long hair that had grown so beautifully long… (Waaayyyy past my hips n beyond!!). Something SO beautiful just happened on my head!! And IN my head, too!
I got my hair cut today… One of my favorite exercises in patience is to cut it short-short while still flattering my fuller face, of course!! :))) and then growing it at least past my shoulders so I can enjoy my wavy-hair gift for a bit! It feels like a fresh start and I do it to celebrate either spring or autumn.
My new stylist is amazing! I show her a picture and she asks “what, specifically, do you like about this?” That was totally new to me!! I love it!! Best part? Her NAME is DESTINEE and she runs a salon along with fearlessministry.org, an art studio for healing through creative expression. I can’t WAIT to work out some of my stuff while giving thanks (not just for my thick, curly hair!!! Haha!!) for all the blessings that have enabled me to accept my body, my beauty and my potential. Today, I DID cry in the chair, BUT BUT BUT: they were grateful tears…tears that said that I might START this new journey w a haircut, but ABSOLUTELY continue on my artistic path and it showed me a place where I can practice my own beauty, artistry and healing through creativity!! Yay yay!! I’m a maker, painter, photographer and writer, so I just may have found a place for myself, now that I’ve moved back to my hometown… Kinda been struggling w that!! Blessed be!!
THE PLACE: Altered Ego salon, Eau Claire, WI (my hometown) :)))
I find this so fascinating! I’ve had thin, pin straight hair my entire life…but over the past year my hair developed a slight wave. I knew my hair was different, but I was still styling it as of it were straight…I.e.brushing it straight after showers, etc. Then, a few months ago,I got my hair trimmed and the lady styled my hair…Woah! I’ve got curls! It turns out my hair was pretty curly, but I didn’t know how to style it properly. The only thing that’s changed is that I developed hypothyroidism. It’s managed now with medication, and my hair is still curly, so I’m not sure if it was a coincidence or not. All I know is that I went from pin straight hair to medium tight curls in less than a year! I love the curls, and it’s definitely been a learning curve to learn how to encourage them and style then successfully, but I think I’ve finally got a good system down. I’ve also always had really oily hair, and while it’s still hard to go more than a day or two between washes,I have successfully started using a ‘no-poo’ designed for curly hair and my hair is loving it! I’ve had the curls for a few months now, but I still don’t recognize myself in the mirror…hopefully I’ll get used to it soon!
wow Katie, that’s such a change! I have thyroid issues too and that definitely affects your hormones which can change your hair. Hope you get used to it soon, sounds like you’ve got a fab routine going xx
I am in my mid 40’s and up until the last few years I had super straight, fine, thick hair. Starting a few years back my hair started to thin significantly and even receded about 1/2″. Thankfully those things have stopped but now I notice that some of my hair has started to get wavy and some has gotten much more coarse and down right curly (ringlets!!). I appreciate your tips on how to manage curly hair as it is totally new to me, but what about when I have a mix of fine, straight hair and everything to coarse curly hair. The curliest hair is near my temples and at the nape of my neck. My straightest hair is from the top of my head. Everything in between has varying degrees of wave to it. Any suggestions?
Hi Kathy, most curlies have a mix of curl patterns in their hair. Mine has also changed a lot over time (the straight part is now the curliest!) so it can happen. If it doesn’t even out itself, I find you can help the straight sections to blend in by twisting the hair when it’s wet to create curls. Good luck xx
I am on the downside of menopause. A couple years ago I was done with coloring my hair, and last year cut it very short to end the slug slow grow out. I have had regular haircuts since, until this summer. As it has gotten longer, it has become rather curly. I am Native American and my hair has always been very straight. This is kind of a nice change with the change. ?
Enjoy the change, Sue! Our hormones have a big effect on our hair xx
I’m 33, my hair has always been curly, in the last 6 months my hair has changed to drastically it’s now straight and thicker than ever. I’m embarrassing the change, it’s nice not to have to put so many products in your hair on a daily basis. Split ends are now a thing of the past, hopefully it will stay this way for the health of my hair, but I did love my curls.
Hi Yolanda, I’ve seen it happen in my friend’s hair as well. She’s really missing her curls. It’s great that your hair is thicker, perhaps the weight of your hair is making is hang straighter? xx
I recently (past 3 years) have had serious life altering events. Just this past year i had open heart surgery and a reaction to a medication shortly after wich started my hair loss. I lost hair like you see in horror films! My doctor first said it was due to stress….yah when your hairs coming out in hand fulls it is pretty stressfull! Then it got out of hand i lost almost half my hair in a months time ( thankfully it was all over and i didnt have to deal with huge balled spots) i use to have beautiful very thick naturaly straight hair. I went to the derm and had a biopsy done ( rulled out everything she thought it may be)…i started taking centrum silvet and washing my hair with shampoo the derm gave me for my recently new very dry thick flacky like scalp…..the oil and shampoo helped my scalp instantly and about 2 mobths after my hair fell out it slowed down and i started seeing new growth 🙂 i was so scared i would end up balled! I bought nioxin shampoo wich i honestly dont know if it truley works but my hair is growing back 🙂 but i noticed its curly! The hair that usualy would be tucked behind my ears is about 3 -4 inched now and it spirals like 2-3 big spirals:) the rest is so mixed in with my old hair i cant tell what it looks like at this point. Ive always wanted curls but now i have half curls and half straight so i dont knlw how it will end up :/ any one have any suggestions on how to grow my hair faster 🙂 and has this ever happend to anyone else? Whats your opinion on nioxin shampoo and are there any other shampoos i should try? My hair is growing back but my ild hair seems to be at a hauly and isnt growing its like i have split personalty hair issues :/.
Wow Ashley, sounds like life has been crazy for you. I hope you’re feeling better. So pleased you went to a derm and had tests done as it’s important to see a doctor when you have such significant hair loss. I do think Nioxin works though everyone’s results are different. The best things I’ve experienced for improving hair growth are your diet. Some supplements like biotin and collagen can help, but results are mixed. Focus on your diet first and then see if supplements are needed. Talk to your doctor about any major dietary changes. Here are some food that are good for your hair – https://www.hairromance.com/2014/04/10-things-you-should-be-eating-to-make-your-hair-grow-faster.html. Good luck xx
My hair changed at 47 when it was super straight. Now it curls at my temples with hot flashes and night sweats. I am so sick of it. Nothing helps. I’m thinking of using a no lye relaxer, and I don’t have AA hair. I bought the keratin straightener at Sallys for over 30 dollars and it’s useless.
Hi Cat, hair can be so frustrating and if you really want to go back to straight hair, I’d recommend an in-salon keratin treatment. They are more effective as it’s a long process (like you can’t wash your hair for 2 days after, put your hair up or tuck it behind your ears). They cost $150-300 depending on the salon and can last 2-4 months. Good luck xx
Hi. Iam 57 now and allways had straight hair now it gone curly all across the back it never was curly but now I’ve got it cut in to Bob and curl it under but the back is terrible and curly ive been looking up about I thought it was only me but found its happend to lots of people I’m on thyroxine and had an hysterectomy a good few years ago so to what I’ve read they could be something to do with it if anyone has any ideas to help me as it is looking a bit silly now curly at back and straight at both sides and it doesn’t want to tonge out
Hi Yvonne, yes thyroid and hormones can make huge changes to our hair. Hopefully you can find more tips on here and in my curls section – https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair. Or if you prefer it straight, you can get salon straightening treatments. Good luck xx
Hi, This is Dara snigdha.. my hair was all natural straight n very little bit wavy. But since my pregnancy all hair has been turned to wavy and now into curls. I have tried using all kinds of smoothening shampoos and serums but, its of no use. Am literally waiting for the day when my curls are going to be changed again to straight hair. Also I don’t want to go for optins like temporary treatments like smoothening n all. So, if you could suggest me giving some advice or piece of hope that one fine day my hair would turn back to same straight ones.
THANK YOU! I am so glad I’m not the only one who dealt with this!
My mom has had perfectly spiraled Shirley Temple-esque curls her whole life, and my hair was silky smooth and straight until I turned about 14- I had this awful similar-to-a-poodle frizz all over, and it wasn’t until I took a plunge into short hair (we’re talking up to the ears short) that curls actually started to form. It was almost like I had to remove my straight ends for the curls to grow right. It took several years to get my hair to a point where I could wear it without putting it through heat styling hell; I’m 21 now and have been fully present in my new curly lifestyle for about 2 years now, no more heat, less frequent shampoos, and hair styling only involves combing product through and letting air and gravity take over. 🙂
thanks for sharing your hair history Maegan, and so glad you’re finding your curls easier to manage now xx
my parents toid me that i had straight spike type hair and it changes to curly, rough ,dry which i hate. so suggest me some tips so i can have straight silky hair which i love the most.
Hi Rehan, if your hair is changing to curly, it’s going to be a lifelong fight. I’d try and find a way to embrace your curls and make them work for you. If you really decide you want straight hair, then you can get straightening treatments in salon that last around 3 months and you’ll have to keep them up xx
hi im 13 years old and i had straight hair i mean straight baby fine hair and all of a sudden it is curly a year ago it started getting wavy and now its curly in some parts and wavy straight in others what is happening to my hair
Hi Jamie, the same thing happened to me. It’s normal for hair to change around the same time our hair changes with puberty. There’s no exact studies but it seems that curly hair can be triggered with hormone changes. I hope you have fun with your new hair and you can find more curly hair posts here – https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair xx
About 5 years ago I started to wave more and more and now I am morphing to curls. I have always had baby fine straight hair. Earlier I had tons of it, but menopause really thinned it for me. Nowhere in my family can I find curly hair. My sisters can’t believe it and thought I was perming it! My hair is so fine a perm would destroy it. Hated the curls until I chopped it off and now I can wash, toss, and go. Looks like I spent a lot of time priming and prepping, but I haven’t done a thing!
That’s awesome, Jay! Curls are such a funny thing, it’s like they have a mind of their own. Love that you’ve found your new styling niche xx
Hi, my grand daughter who is 10 yrs old has always had straight hair. But over the last 2 month it’s got super thick and curly. We are all quite amazed at the difference. I think it’s got something to do with the swimming pool and the salt water system. I can’t think of anything else it could be. What do you think? Could the pool be causing this?
Hi Mary, it could be getting curlier because of the pool but perhaps, like me, her hair is changing with puberty. It’s really common for hair to change around this age and having wet hair more often makes it easier to notice the curls x
I have had stick straight fine hair all my life and it has always been a problem to have any style cos they would just flop so for the most part of my life I had a very short pixie cut. Perms were always a big failure cos the fineness of my hair would make them go into a ball of frizz. Now suddenly at the age of 70 I decided to grow my hair for a bob and I seem to be getting more waves and bends ever ooday and it is so much thicker. It’s great, I just wash it, dry naturally,then just put some wax through it to muss it up and it’s finished. I would be naturally grey buy I continue to keep my hair blonde, sonI am wondering if it is the appearance of the grey hairs that have caused all these crazy bends.i love it and pray it won.’t go straight again
I hope it stays curly for you too, Carole Anne! Keep the same routine going and hope it keeps getting curlier xx
My hair was straight as a string for most of my adult life. Somewhere around menopause it started to change to a sort of frizz that was hard to do anything with. Now, at 65 I have curly hair. I look like I have a nice soft permanent, which I don’t mind since it gives volume to hair that was once flat and boring looking.
So happy to hear you’re embracing your new curls! xx
I had thick, straight hair for over 30 years and then bam, it went curly. I didn’t know what was going on. It was just frizzy all the time. Finally, my cousin suggested I moose it to control the frizz. So, I did and that’s when I discovered it was curly. I now have loose curls. I haven’t had any children since I was 22 so I know it’s not that. I have no noticeable explanation for it. But now that I’ve discovered moose and it isn’t frizzy but rather loose curls, I love it. People compliment my new look all the time and I didn’t have to do a thing to get it.
Thats awesome Jennifer Lee! Maybe those waves were hiding there all along 🙂
my hair has always been straight and I’ve had a cowlick on the right side of my forehead which has been a thorn in my side my whole life.
I’m just about to turn 50 and lucky me am in menopause. All of a sudden I developed another cowlick on the left of my forehead as well as developed wavy hair ONLY from about the top of ears down.
Isn’t it bad enough I’m in menopause but now have to deal with this nonsense?!? I am a natural blonde and have always loved my hair, but now every day is a battle…..
Ah the fun of hormones, right Julie? Sorry to hear that your hair is becoming a battle, hopefully some of my curly hair posts can help xx https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair
I was 68 years old when my hair decided to go really curly… I had straight – straight – thick thick hair. My mother gave up when I was a child and put me in a permanent pony tail. My mother was gone for an extended time when I was about 9. My father got frustrated trying to do the pony tail thing. He took me to the barber (!) and told him to “just cut it all off” — luckily the barber did a kind of cute Peter Pan cut — mine stuck out all over though. I discovered that I have 6 cowlicks (!)…. the can’t be conquered with very short straight hair. By high school I learned to curl it — with lots of stuff to make the curl stick. The rest of my life I just dealt with it —- now I am curly — curly — like Curly Sue. A big head of tosseled curls! I chopped my hair off last summer because I could not do the same things with it — I mean I was one step away from a buzz cut. Then the hair started growing back — no wonder my hair didn’t want to do the same old thing. It was curly now! I have not had a hair cut since. I know 68 year old ladies are not supposed to go around with a big head of curls — but this one does. I comb my hair in the morning — wet it and let the curls begin! I mess with the ones on my forehead because I don’t want hair my my eyes — but other than that I just run my fingers through my hair and enjoy my curls.
I love this story, Eloise! Keep rocking those curls, I don’t believe age has anything to do with style xx
My daughter is 12 (just started her monthly 3 months ago). Her hair has always been very slow to grow and refuses to grow past her shoulder-blades. Anyway over the past several months we’ve been having trouble with her hair always looking unkempt no matter how well we brush or wash it. And a few weeks ago I realized the constant frizz along her brow is turning into short curls. But it’s only from ear to ear along her brow (so far, that I can tell). It’s too short to tie back in a ponytail and too scattered to clip down with barrettes or bobbypins. Any advice for how to help her hair look a little neater (and protect it) while it grows in and changes?
Hi there! It sounds like the same hair change that I had. First off I’d stop brushing her hair. If you need to detangle, use a wide comb in the shower when conditioning her hair. Check out my tutorial on how I wash and style my curls. You don’t need to worry about so many products yet, but the techniques for styling will help. You can just use conditioner mixed with water to help style her curls. Then as she gets older, she can try other products and ways to style her hair. Good luck! xx
I have a weird question about curly hair going straight and what can be done about it…
When I was younger, my hair was long and pretty much straight, but had a bit of wave and frizz to it which only became noticeable when I got it trimmed to shoulder length and had a fringe cut aged 12 (before that it was up in ponytails or barrettes…)
Then around 13/14 I got layers cut and my hair turned curly – partly due to puberty but perhaps the weight of the long hair masked something that was there? Mystery… but not what I’m writing you about here.
The real mysterious question I want help answering is this:
Around 17, I went punk and shaved the sides and back of my head. Shaved as in razor rather than electric clippers, right down to properly bald skin. When it grew back, it grew back straight to wavy again. And ever since, the top layers have been curly and the underlayers straight/wavy. So those under layers need to be cut shorter every haircut, except: when it’s wet, it all looks wavy and hairdressers won’t do dry cuts – so I end up spending mega money on haircuts that I then need to modify at home myself, and of course doing the back on my own is really tough.
I thought about getting the bottom layers permed to stay in line with the top layers, but permed hair is never really reliably natural looking enough and it will probably curl the wrong direction and/or be too tight compared to my natural curls which change from day to day – loose today, tight tomorrow, depending on weather and who knows what.
Do you have any insight or advice as to how I can sort this out?
Thanks!
Hi, this is a really interesting situation. I’m not sure exactly how to help your curls blend together but I might be able to explain how they changed. The shape of your hair follicle determines whether your hair is curly or straight. A round follicle grows a straight hair, while an oval or flat follicle grows a wavy or curly hair. The flatter the follicle, the curlier the hair. I find over time that my hair changes and when I have avoided heat styling, my hair has become a lot curlier and less frizzy too. I would look around to see if you can find a hairdresser who does dry cuts. It helps to search for curly hair groups on facebook or ask curly haired women in your ares who cuts their hair. Local recommendations are the best. I’d also say that over time, your curls will probably change again and start to blend more. This takes time. Good luck and hope you can find a good hairdresser near you xx
I’m approaching 33 and mine has gone from straight to curly in the last couple of years. I have meddled with my hormones in this time and I think this has triggered it. I came off the pill (after being on it for 10 years) for just over a year and then started on the injection which I am now off too. I like curly hair and used to style it curly when it was straight but now its frizzy and I’m struggling to tame it so I will read your advice! Thanks for your article, I thought it was just me!
Thanks Clare! Try some of these tips and check out my post on frizz free curls. Good luck! x
My hair is pretty curly at the bottom but on the top it’s straight/wavy and I have no idea of what to do. It’s also straight on the bottom layer but straight on the rest is there anything I could do for either of those?
Hi Marissa, it’s normal to have different curl patterns in your hair. You can try using a curl cream or mousse and scrunching your hair to encourage more curl. Sometimes I twist the straighter sections into curls so they blend better in my hair x
I’m so glad that I found your very informative site. You know the old adage; “Be careful what you ask for”? I am 63 years old and for my whole life my hair has been stick straight or as my stylists describes as silky gorgeousness. But I wanted curly hair! Two years ago my hair started to change at the nape of my neck with very tight curls which got very tangled. Now two years later my entire head is covered in very curly hair which I am struggling to manage due to how much it tangles. My theory on why this happened is that two years ago I had my 29th knee surgery which was complicated and I was under anesthesia for almost 8 hours. The hospital stay was five days in which I was kept heavily medicated for pain control. Ever since then the curl adventure began. I went through menopause at age 34, so I can only conclude it was the accumulation of all of the drugs. Have you ever heard of this being the cause for such a drastic change before? Once I figure out how to style it with the help of your great tutorials, I will be quite happy with the change :*))
Hi Susan, so glad you found my blog! Yours is a very unusual story though I have heard some similar anecdotes from women who have had hair changes after operations. You deserve a medal for 29 knee surgeries! Hope you’re feeling ok now and you can find all my curly hair posts here – https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair. Christina x
Susan, I found your account to be similar to mine. I am 59, always had straight hair until 3 years ago. The curls are very pretty and just like my daughter’s hair. My dad had very wavy hair. I always felt like my hair should be curly. I had a hysterectomy at 34, different health issues but I crushed my wrist 3 years ago severely and had surgery. It was shortly after that my curls began to come in. I hope it won’t get any curlier though. I love my knew hair but am having to learn how to style it. I keep it a little longer than shoulder length. So I guess all those things do play a factor.
Glad I found this site for understanding. Enjoy your curls girl!