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Curls Week – Why did my hair change from straight to curly?

July 11, 2014 By Hair Romance 622 Comments

Welcome to a week celebrating curly hair!

Curls Week - Hair Romance

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.

Hair Romance - Why did my hair change from straight to curly

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?

30 Days of Curly hairstyles ebook flatlay

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.

Hair Romance - Purchase my curly hair book now

Click here to get your copy of 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles.

Filed Under: Curly Hair, Hair Romance

« Curls Week – Why does curly hair curl?
Curls Week – How to style a curly fringe / bangs »

Comments

  1. Sofia says

    October 24, 2022 at 4:18 am

    I was born with jet black thick straight hair. Hair so straight I couldn’t curl it. My pregnancy with my son didn’t impact my hair. However, it was when I went through my last two pregnancies with my daughters that I noticed how my hair started changing to wavy. Since I always cut it short or left it up in a bun, i hadn’t really noticed how wavy it had gotten. Once my kids were older and I had more time for me, I began to let my hair down, it was a mess because I didn’t know how to style it. My coworker how was on a curly hair journey shared some cool information on my hair texture and wave pattern and offered guidance on styling products. I eventually became invested in embracing my ever changing body and learned how to diffuse my hair. When I do, my kids are in awe and I feel like a totally different person due to the more defined curls I get.

    Reply
  2. CC says

    October 23, 2022 at 10:54 am

    Mine was stick straight until I went gray. Now that I am almost entirely gray my hair is a mass of curls. It’s like I had a head transplant!

    Reply
  3. Megan says

    October 8, 2022 at 4:03 am

    My hair was straight all my life until around 16/17 it got wavy then curly. I loved my curly hair but now at 19 it’s going back to wavy and I can only assume straight afterwards. Any suggests would be helpful because I love having curly hair

    Reply
  4. ria says

    September 1, 2022 at 12:41 am

    All my life my hair was pin straight, in fact so straight that when i tried to curl it with heat it still wouldn’t work. but as i got older and hit puberty (around 10 years old) my hair started to randomly curl at the front and back of my head but the rest was straight. i didn’t really think much of it till i went to secondary school where kids made fun of me, bullied me and i could never fit in since i couldn’t say that my hair was straight neither could i say that it was curly. so i grew up to hate it. every single morning i would wake up extra early to straighten it just to fit in. my hair became more and more damaged and dry but i didn’t care because all i longed for was to be like everyone else. but one day my straightener broke and i was scared, this was the first time in 2 years that i couldn’t use it. so i had to think, i eventually started to look into my hair and the way it was and i got a hair cut and started using products that were good for me and i did tons of research on curly hair and why my hair changed texture (turns out it was because my mum had curly hair and the curly hair gene was dormant in my body until puberty since the hormones started to act up ). after 5 years of care my hair has become the best its ever been(2b,2c,3a), shiny, healthy and soft and i regret ruining it but thanks to websites and articles like this i was able to get my natural hair back. please learn to love your hair 🙂

    Reply
  5. Brenda says

    July 30, 2022 at 9:49 am

    My wavy/curly hair is growing back in serious curls. The top layer is flat and frizzy but underneath it’s crazy and my head feels lumpy.

    Reply
  6. Curly says

    June 29, 2022 at 8:42 am

    I had a straight hair for 29 year then stress effect me too much that now i have curly hair which i love my curls but i found that change verry interesting. Cuz i get used to have straight hair all the time then you have curly hair !!

    Reply
  7. Cynthia says

    June 3, 2022 at 7:37 am

    I had straight hair my whole life! I went through menopause 2012 and a few years later my hair had a wave and now at 58 I have curly hair! I would say I’m very lucky to got this beautiful gift of curly hair!!

    Reply
  8. Carol says

    May 24, 2022 at 11:09 am

    I had fine though reasonably thick hair, with a little wave and easily curled. Once I hit late sixties it started coming in wavy. Over the next 10 years it has become curlier and curlier until now it’s quite curly everywhere. The whole back is curliest, but there is curl all over. Not just waves, but real curl. I don’t know what made the shape of the hair change from straight to curly but I love it. No more rollers, no more hair spray.
    I’d had a complete hysterectomy at age 49 so it isn’t hormones. No idea what it is but yay!

    Reply
  9. Lucy Partington says

    May 17, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    I’m 48, over the last 6 months or so I had noticed my hair was changing. It was curly underneath but a frizzy triangle on top!! Totally fed up I got my hair cut short. Since it’s been cut it is totally wavy/curly. I absolutely love it. Just really weird.

    Reply
  10. Rizwan says

    May 17, 2022 at 3:44 am

    My hair was straight, soft and shiny. At the age 14, I shaved my head. After that my hair starts to grow curly.

    Reply
  11. Sara Brannon says

    May 16, 2022 at 9:42 am

    I am eighty-five and recently changed hairdressers. I had color and highlights done and there was a nice transformation. He mentioned it on my last hair appointment about how much thicker my hair had become, and wanted to know what I was doing. my doctor added a stronger fluid pill to the ones what I was already taking ! I have been drinking boost a high protein with a lot of vitamins in it everyday. That could be it. My hair was always fine and straight before, but I love the change. It is now wavy and has a lot more body.

    Reply
    • Gail Wilson says

      July 14, 2022 at 3:00 pm

      I’m 79.. within the last year my hair has gone from just wavy to do curly I can’t get a comb or brush through it. I’d let it grow out to almost waist length during COVID isolation because I wouldn’t go to the hairdresser. Was born with curly hair and my granddaughter has the same type. No vlue

      Reply
    • Carol says

      July 23, 2022 at 5:55 am

      Thank you for letting me know about your experience with sudden curly hair. I had straight hair all my 74 years of live. And loved it. I did not knowingly at least have Covid but had bad reactions to the vaccine. My hair started falling out by the handfuls. So I started taking vitamins for the first time in my life and my hair started growing back. So to stay healthy at this old age I started drinking protein smoothies. And like in one day my hair became so curly and curlier as it grew back in. Curly hair is harder for me to style and take care of to not look like an old woman with a bad permanent. I just didn’t know why I suddenly got curl

      Reply
      • Trudy says

        October 21, 2022 at 7:30 am

        Hi I also had straight hair all my 64 years,It was a little wavy when I was a toddler ,Then last yr I had Covid really bad I was in ICU for 8 days ,I am suffering the long term effects ,One of which was my hair coming out ,Then it’s started to go curly I have no idea what Is happening ,But I suppose if Covid can make your hair come out by the handful ,It could make it curly

        Reply
  12. SuzyQ says

    May 4, 2022 at 10:51 am

    My hair was always thin and straight and then all of the sudden, so curly, much thicker and frizzy (and tangly!) I am 54 so think menopause? I literally cannot convince my family it happened naturally but it has been years now with consistency.

    Reply
  13. Anh says

    May 3, 2022 at 2:01 am

    I’ve had straight hair the first 37 years of my life, and it began to gradually grow more curly this past year. I definitely cannot pinpoint the cause, I find it fascinating, and I’m actually enjoying having volume naturally for the first time. I am curious of finding out more about this hair situation though.

    Reply
  14. Steph Weber says

    April 28, 2022 at 9:16 am

    I’m so happy to find this!! I’ve had on-again/off-again curls for years with small breaks where it’s barely more than a wave – that’s how it was for about 7 years. I was sick and underwent a lot of changes, turned 50 and haven’t had a period since about 42-43. For the past 9-12 months my hair is growing back crazy curly – corkscrews and all! Except for the very back/bottom. Barley a wave. My hair is really healthy, I’m on lots of vitamins & supplements and eating better + more protein so it’s all great change but my hair needs help! I have an unwilling mullet with a mushroom top! Suggestions are welcome 🙂

    Reply
  15. Connie Dean says

    March 25, 2022 at 4:41 am

    The first time I contacted COVID, without a vaccination my hair became very curly. I do not know why but it completely change the texture also. Anyone else experience this?

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 19, 2022 at 7:22 am

      Same with me! Hair is frizzy, but only in the front. Looks like I curled my hair with a crimper. Hair is just awful.

      Reply
    • Hannah says

      April 21, 2022 at 4:16 am

      I just found your comment as I was searching about this as my hair seems to be going wavy since I had covid recently. Not sure if it is temporary or not!

      Reply
      • Elissa says

        May 20, 2022 at 10:15 pm

        I have covid and my hair has all of a sudden gone curly. I actually love it. But how weird is that. I came across these comments seeing if anyone else has experience the same thing.

        Reply
      • Abd says

        June 21, 2022 at 12:06 pm

        Same with me my hair was wavy but now it has become curly like hell.. especially in front and i do not know how to care for them they have become wild.

        Reply
      • Sandi says

        October 23, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Mine too. I’m 55 post menopausal, and my hair that has been 100% straight my entire life I couldn’t hold curl for more than 5 minutes. I tried the curly girl hair method and it’s supposed to “train” your hair to find its “curl memory” as I was told. I only scrunched for about 3 weeks trying to find curls but I stopped and now my hair refuses to be straight again. At all. I am shocked but kind of happy because I’ve wanted curls. Lol. Interested to see how this plays out, because I have no idea how to have curly hair. Thank you all. So happy I’m not alone

        Reply
    • Mary Gibbs says

      May 24, 2022 at 9:34 am

      Connie… Mine did too . That is why I found this site to question it. I am 73 yrs old… have had rightist hair all my life. During Covid I did not go in for haircuts… ( small town covid was on the menu every day for folks going in there) I waited till this past March to cut off 12 inches. Pony tails have been the daily hair choice. I wanted to go back to short and cute. The stylist shampooed and she started cutting the length off at the nape. She stopped and said…. ” wow what is happening here” I put on my glasses and my hair was frizzy curls ( not at all attractive) I was at a loss and told her to stop cutting till I found out what was happening. I walked out with an ugly starter cut but started wearing it with a hair band and the hair , except for bangs, was behind the hair band. Well it was so short it was cute but now it is just curly curly and getting long and not so cute anymore. And… one side is not as curly and the back very curly… I will have to find someone who can handle this weird mess.

      Reply
      • Mary Gibbs says

        May 24, 2022 at 9:37 am

        Straight hair not rightist .lol

        Reply
    • Brea says

      May 28, 2022 at 8:52 am

      I used to have straight blonde hair before catching Covid in December 2020 and now have curly brown hair! I pulled pre-Covid pictures of me when someone I hadn’t seen in years commented about the change, and it’s very noticeable! Still can’t figure out what caused it.

      Reply
    • Maren says

      June 5, 2022 at 12:51 pm

      My hair came back curly after COVID.
      Wonder why.

      Reply
    • Scott says

      June 12, 2022 at 7:18 am

      My hair has gone curly as well after having covid. My wife has also noticed that the amount of grey in my hair has decreased and it is turning the same color blondish red as it was 45 years ago when I was about 5.

      Reply
    • Rita gilbert says

      June 14, 2022 at 12:32 am

      Yes my normal hair was straight now it’s frizzy I hate it

      Reply
    • LINDA P says

      July 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm

      Yes, my hair went from wild curly hair to frizzy and thin after Covid. Very sad

      Reply
    • JoAnn says

      July 28, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      I do not think I had Covid, but about six months into the pandemic, I noticed my hair was growing out curly. I had straight hair my entire life. I was not going to my hair salon, so I was cutting my own hair. My hairdresser is amazed at the difference. When it’s humid out now, instead of going flat and lifeless looking, the curls get more bounce to them. I haven’t figured out how to style it, but I’m kinda loving the whole wash and air dry experience. Btw, I’m a very senior citizen!

      Reply
    • Brenda says

      July 30, 2022 at 9:52 am

      Me. It was wavy/curly then started falling out and what was left turned frizzy. Now growing back it is tight curls from what I can tell by feel as it’s growing back under the top layer of hair.

      Reply
    • Kimberly says

      August 5, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      Yes! I had Covid and 70% of my hair fell out. When it came back it was frizzy. Then, as it got longer I realized it was curly. So crazy.

      Reply
    • Kara Fedak says

      August 11, 2022 at 11:57 pm

      This is exactly the post i was looking for. Post Covid in January 2022, hair started to grow in curly. Never really had the falling out part that people talk about with covid. Now, 7 month later i am noticing more and more areas are going curly. My entire hairline gets wavy even if i straighten it, it goes right back curly.

      Reply
    • Nancie says

      August 22, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      Yes! I started losing handfuls of hair 3 months out. It’s growing back curly! I have no clue what to do with it! To make it worse, I cut my hair from long (past shoulders) to about 6″ long and suddenly it exploded into curls! I think that’s crazy and have no clue what to do with it! I just pull the sides and top into clippies. Right now I hate it but I remember a time I wish I had curly hair. Haha… be careful what you wish for! ?

      Reply
    • Susan says

      August 30, 2022 at 4:41 am

      That happened to me! My big problem is that it became curly on the sides and back but is still straight on the top!! It looks horrible!! I try to make the top curly with a curling iron, but you can really tell the difference. Any suggestions??

      Reply
    • Jillena says

      September 13, 2022 at 4:55 am

      I got covid and lost most of my hair. It fell out in clumps almost like I was in Chemo. Now that my hair is growing back it’s coarse and curly. My hair has always been thick and had a slight wave, but this texture is totally different.

      Reply
    • Jonetta Davis says

      September 22, 2022 at 11:53 am

      I had Covid December 2021, my hair has always been very fine and straight. I am 70. Since having Covid, my hair has changed to Curley and frizzy. My hair dresser has never seen anything like this.
      It is crazy.

      Reply
    • Jamie says

      September 23, 2022 at 9:29 am

      My hair grew back in with corkscrew curls after losing over 75% of it after severe COVID. It was wavy with some curl but this is curl I’ve never had before in my over 60 years alive.
      Curly Girl method and the instructions for this have been most helpful and I’m enjoying the curls. Had hair almost to my waist pre-COVID so it is totally different.

      Reply
    • Melissa says

      October 24, 2022 at 9:27 am

      Yes

      Reply
  16. Jessi says

    March 20, 2022 at 5:11 am

    In 2019 I had a massive GI bleed and a diagnosis of crohns disease… I lost a lot of my hair… my hair has ALWAYS been stick straight. My new hair growth is coming in wavy and I have NO IDEA what to do with it. I’m glad to have found this post.. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Chris says

    March 6, 2022 at 4:40 pm

    Hi
    Due to stress my hair fell out. I don’t believe it has to do with hormones because I had had a hysterectomy 22 years ago, at that time my hair color changed some. I was very concerned because my hair had always been very thick so I started taking a lot of vitamins when it came back in it got very thick it also got very curly! When it was long it was wavy but never curly

    Reply
  18. Martha says

    March 1, 2022 at 8:57 pm

    I am 60 and my hair has become curlier every year since menopause. I love it! But you have to find the right products!

    Reply
  19. Debbie says

    February 5, 2022 at 9:45 am

    I am 42 years and i had pin straight hair and then one day my hair just became curly. My mom asked me what i did to my hair and how did it get like that. I couldn’t answer her…. my hair feels weird. And i have no idea what to do with it as it is i have my hair in a bob and my hair is very thick….Help….

    Reply
  20. sya says

    February 2, 2022 at 11:26 pm

    omg I came here to research abt something else but i’m glad i found this article?? my sister also started getting curly hair recently and we didn’t think much of it so just assumed that she “watched too much Mamma Mia”. but she is 10-11ish so I def should’ve thought puberty ? love the website btw! <3

    Reply
  21. Heather says

    January 30, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    I had very thick straight hair ally life, at 32 (2007) I had cancer and chemo, and lost about half of it, when it came back it was the color my hair was as a child, which was dark blonde. The top and front were stick straight and the back had some wave. I could coax it into ringlets.

    My hair grew back long and straightened out, and even darker than before. All I did was blow dry it while running my fingers through it, it had body but no curls.

    In around 2015, I bleached the top/front of my hair at home, twice on the same day, and I think I damaged the follicles, because that section has only gotten more and more curly as time goes on,it started at the temples and being frizzy. I have mostly 3b-c curls but only where it was bleached, the lower part on the sides and the back I have to convince to show some curl with product, plopping, and stacking on the diffuser to dry. But generally my hair looks ridiculous being straight and curly sue both. ? I wish it was straight again, so much easier to manage!

    Reply
  22. Gabriela says

    January 23, 2022 at 4:17 am

    My daughter had very straight hair u til she turned 7. Now she’s 8 and her hair is very curly. She hates it. Now with the Movie Encanto she started liking her her. My daughter looks like Mirabel 🙂

    Reply
  23. Barb Paige says

    December 27, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    I am 62 and in the past month my hair has become very curly. The only thing I can guess is that I am moving to the end of menopause.
    My daughter who I hadn’t seen in a few months asked me if I got a perm since it has become so curly!

    Reply
  24. Kate Rhoads says

    December 6, 2021 at 6:01 am

    I was wondering if this change will be permanent? I had a baby in February 2021 and had a lot of hair fall out after she was born. It is now growing back in, but it seems extra curly. Can I expect this to happen with all my hair or am I only going to have curly hair in the places it fell out? I am tempted to get a perm so all the hair will match. 😛

    Reply
  25. Irishwasherwoman says

    December 4, 2021 at 7:19 am

    A few months go my hair started to get rather curly. I have never had hair like this so I started trying to find out what was going on. I looked at all thaat was going on for me – eating, drinking, doing, new hair products…anything! I finally figured out that the only change was adding Rosuvastatin (for high cholesterol) a few months previously. I started doing some research and came across several mentions as to how statins can affect your hair, mostly with regard to hair loss and changing color. I did see some references to curly hair, so that is my answer for the sudden curls! I really do like them!

    Reply
  26. Carli says

    November 13, 2021 at 6:05 am

    My hair has turned curly in the last year, like a lot of commenters, the underneath hair along the nape of my neck is the curliest, and I swear it’s getting curlier all the time under there, right little ringlets, but it’s almost straight at the crown. What gives? Will it always be like this? I’m 45 and had covid last year and have had very poor health since.

    Reply
    • Mrs Randall says

      February 21, 2022 at 7:14 am

      I had covid to . My hair fell out . Then it went really mad my hair has gone really Curley especially on my fridge.its gone mad .my hair never looks nice no more. I used to have really thick hair now it a lot thinner . It drives me crazy ,

      Reply
  27. Paul Moyer says

    November 4, 2021 at 5:23 am

    I recently noticed I have curly hair. It was a change from fine and straight hair. I am undergoing hormone therapy for cancer. What you said fits with what I am experiencing. Antigen related changes seem to be many when you mess with your hormones. This curly hair is the only positive side effect that I have. Thanks for your blog.

    Reply
  28. Brenda andrews says

    October 12, 2021 at 8:58 pm

    I went to my regular hairdresser with shoulder length straight hair, and after a shampoo and cut short, we were both amazed to see a headful of curls, how is that possible? But I’m not complaining, I always wanted curly hair.

    Reply
  29. adrienne says

    October 8, 2021 at 6:27 am

    At the ripe old age of 49, and about 6 months into menopause, my hair started a transformation from not-quite-straight-but-not-quite-curly hair into corkscrew, Shirley Temple curls. I’ve always had blessedly thick hair and I’ve not noticed thinning at all, but oh my gosh the curls. I spent much of the last year trying to figure out how to care for my curls… it isn’t intuitive, I’ve learned. I sure wish we had more of an explanation for why this happened but I sure appreciate your article!

    Reply
  30. Lucy says

    October 6, 2021 at 7:27 am

    I always had poker straight hair until I had my son age 21, just a few waves at the back of my head, now after another 2 children and now at the age of 40 they’re more pronounced curls and slowly making their way around, currently just to the back of my ears on both sides, I can usually blow dry it straight but left wet, it’s very curly! Would be more helpful if it was my entire head then at least I could embrace them and work with them ?

    Reply
    • Shelley says

      October 15, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      This is so me and my last daughter I gave birth too has the same hair pattern! Poker straight hair I’m front and kinky curly I’m the back! In the morning we both look like a hot mess ?

      Reply
  31. Zahid says

    October 5, 2021 at 11:50 pm

    I am a 66 yr old male . I had chemotherapy for 9 months from May 2018 and am remission since. Having lost all my hair two weeks after the chemo …i was bald until the chemo was stopped {red devil as its callled} my hair then grew and i noticed heavy stubborn curls on one side. Then my straight lustruous shiny silky black hair went completely dull , dry , and now the rest of the hair is following suit . .i have been on warfarin and Hexarone but atthis stage on Xarelto and Hexarone . Imagine my sparse grey hairs cud have looked so healthy and shiny if it was not for the dry coarse bushy hair i now have.
    I really do not know what to do.
    Obviously i will now have my hormone levels checked and hopefully the issue can be addressed .
    Does anyone have any advice .?

    Reply
  32. Heather Heath says

    October 5, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    HEEELP!!! My entire life I have had the kind of straight hair that no curling iron, crimper, perm, hot curlers, cold curlers, or your parents perming it spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars in the 80s on one term, would it hold a mini wave. I am 44 years old Christmas of 2020 I was lifelong from my local hospital to New Orleans and spent the next several months in a coma there was a spot on my head that they shaved where they made a tiny incision that spot as well as all of the bottom of the underneath of my hair has spiral to the point it sticks to my head now it look like a poodle he’s been in a fight with a straightener I can’t wear my hair down because it looks like I have a Giants underneath and it’s not it’s these major spiral curls I’m terrified to cut the rest of my hair because first of all it’s nearly to my butt and second of all I’m terrified it’s not going to curl and then I’m going to be stuck with short straight hair and it’s going to look terrible do you think since it curled like that underneath if I cut my hair the rest of it will follow suit or am I stuck looking like have poodle half horsetail the rest of my life?????

    Reply
  33. Sue says

    September 17, 2021 at 3:38 am

    For anyone having hair that is in-between straight and curly, how often you wash it can make a difference. My toddler had loose curls when he had baths every other day, but when he went to every day baths, his hair went straight. It’ll still curl up after he gets sweaty or in humidity, so it’s still there, but otherwise it’s pretty lifeless now. I’ve learned since that it’s not uncommon for curly tops to skip some shampoos and just re-style. There could also be product buildup at the roots if hair is not cooperating.

    I also had straight-ish hair growing up. It got wavy in my late 20’s, some loose curls in my 30’s, and eventually turning into crazy ringlets in my early 40’s. Blew my mind. Using product good for curly hair made a big difference between a frizzy limp wavy curly mass and better defined smoother curls.

    Reply
  34. Jas says

    September 16, 2021 at 2:51 am

    I am 32 and have always had dead straight, sleek hair. Last year I went through a breakup which was stressful, so stressful that I could feel the ‘happy’ hormone levels drastically decline in my body every few moments. It was horrible, but anyways, recently I started noticing the under layers of my hair becoming curly, and I mean very curly like twirls. I never thought anything of it and just straightened them out but as the months have gone on, nearly all of my under layers are now very curly, as well as the front parts of my hair! It’s like it’s all happening in a pattern, and not just random parts. I wonder… will my whole head become curly? I have a feeling it will. I loved my sleek straight hair and just admit I wasn’t happy to see this change, but maybe I’ll like it when it’s fully curly… It’s very strange though I must say! And the ‘stress’ from last year is the only reason I can think of for this change.

    Reply
  35. Johanna Bleumer says

    August 14, 2021 at 1:33 am

    So glad I found your site, I have always had wavy hair (I was born with an afro) seriously I am caucasian . As my hair grew it became wavy. Since I turned 60 my hair has gotten more curly, I love it but didn’t know how to style my hair. I found a hair stylist who specializes in curly hair cuts specifically Quidad. He had to cut a lot due to previous hair dresser razoring my hair (bad for curly hair).
    I now LOVE my curly hair, I did buy the Quidad hair products. I can not get enough of how beautiful and easy to care for my hair is now. There is another way of cutting curly hair, I can’t remember what it’s called tho, that one they cut hair while it’s dry. My Quidad cut was pretty pricey C$180.00 for cut and style (he gave lots of information on how to treat my new curls). I won’t have to come back until 3 month from cut. I’m so happy I found this new way of styling my hair. I love it so much

    Reply
    • Annie Monroe says

      September 20, 2021 at 12:49 am

      I imagine you got what’s called a “DIVA cut” 🙂

      Reply
  36. Amanda says

    August 3, 2021 at 10:02 pm

    I’m a transgender woman. Before I started hormones my hair was wavy and manageable and easy to care for. Due to the natural waves it looked good with little care. After I started hormones it became ultra curly and frizzy. It’s nearly impossible to style. A ponytail looks like I’m trying to control an angry cat with a hair tie, where before it hung very nicely and tame. I would like to know how to get my hair to hang down instead of flying away. After years of caring for wavy hair I am unprepared for this.

    Reply
  37. Tracy Cisneros says

    July 15, 2021 at 6:22 am

    I’m loving my new wavy/curly hair!! I put heat protector on it one day, gave it some scrunches and BAM!! Curls!! After having such straight hair all my life, I’m loving this change!!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      October 20, 2021 at 11:31 pm

      and so am I!!!…all my life – 67 years – of having poker straight, thick, red hair i all of a sudden have wavy hair and i’m LOVING it!!…wish i had the red back but “beggars can’t be choosers”!!!…

      Reply
  38. Gloria says

    July 13, 2021 at 1:54 am

    Okay , please help my daughter is 10 years old she had this straight silky hair and now it’s changing and it’s in a very awkward stage where the bottom half is still straight ( but now frizzy) and the top is very curly and frizzy. I have some body to my hair but have no clue how to help her through this. Do you have any pointers to help me make her hair look cute while in this awkward stage?

    Reply
    • Makayla says

      August 10, 2021 at 11:09 am

      you might have to just go with cutting off the straight bottom part and just let it grow back curly itself.

      Reply
    • Jamie says

      October 25, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      My advice is blow dry the really curly parts at the root or the top, then when it’s still damp put it in a braid. Let her sleep on it and in the morning she will have really nice waves!

      Reply
  39. Lyn says

    July 9, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    I have to disagree on the hormones theory. It ma be A reason, but most certainly isn’t the only and not necessarily the most common. As a child, my hair was straight. At age 24 (no hormonal changes, pregnancy, stress, nothing), I got a haircut and my hair curled up to around a 3A curl. It stayed like that for years (even during my two pregnancies with obviously, hormonal changes). Not long ago, I cut my hair very short and shaved the lower back. Now the virgin hair at the nape of my neck are around a 3C pattern. I am still not having hormonal changes. I’m not sure what is going on or what to do about it. I want to pamper the 3C curls but the rest of my hair won’t cooperate. I am wondering if, as my hair grows out, the new growth on the rest of my head will be 3C. One can hope. ?

    Reply
  40. Daniale says

    July 5, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    I had curly hair when I was born. It went straight during puberty. Then curly after my first child. Fingers crossed it stays this way. I love it!!

    Reply
  41. Debra Carter says

    June 22, 2021 at 1:37 am

    I agree with your assessment that hormones can cause changes in hair growth. After going through menopause, my hair went from straight brown/black to just plain crazy. My hair color is now a blend of silver, brown and black. The most disturbing feature, however, is the ringlets and curls underneath the somewhat straight layer hair on top. My hair has always been fine and on the thinner side as well, so, my crazy straight-curly hair is really hard to style 🙁

    Reply
    • Theresa Shay says

      September 3, 2021 at 4:40 am

      Your comment was so interesting!! I was born with lose curls. I had hair down to my butt and it was in ringlets. I had to have both if my knees operated on, and I had to wear a body cast for 8 weeks when I was 5 years old. So my mom cut my hair very short. After that,my hair was poker straight. I’ve had surgery off and on my whole life. My hair always was straight. Now I’m 51, going through menopause and STILL having surgeries and my hair has decided to be wavy and kinda frizzy. I LOVE the waves! I’ve never been able to wash and go like I can now! But, if I blow dry it’s not as smooth as it use to be. So, I’m assuming it’s hormones. What do you think?

      Reply
    • Annie Monroe says

      September 20, 2021 at 12:56 am

      I can really empathize with you on this one. My hair has decided to go wavy, but only in the back of my head. It’s not the good kind of wavy either… it looks as though I crimped my hair the way little girls used to do back in the 90’s/early 2000’s. My mom gave me a hopeful tip- she said her hair went limp and curly after she had my brother and I, (we’re twins), and she took a supplement called MSM in the powder form and within several months, her hair returned back to its normal luster. MSM is very bitter so she mixed it with a strong flavored juice. I think I will be putting it inside capsules myself. I can already confirm that MSM shampoo and conditioner worked wonders for my hair while it was falling out. Check it out!

      Reply
      • Annie Monroe says

        September 20, 2021 at 1:01 am

        I also read another tip that a woman took zinc after a friend had recommended it and she said her hair doubled in volume!

        Reply
  42. Trish says

    June 20, 2021 at 8:17 am

    My hair has gone from straight to curly during the past 15 months of the Covid 19 epidemic. I had quite curly hair as a young child but it straightened out as I grew older. During this past year and a bit, my hair started to become very frizzy and unruly and didn’t respond to my old way of styling with blow drying or a hot brush. It has taken me a while to realise that I need a completely different approach now. I am still adapting to this new concept of me!!

    Reply
    • ashok says

      July 22, 2021 at 1:46 am

      I have developed the same problem as Trish in the last 15 months.. nothing works. My hair become messy in no time.

      Reply
  43. Michelle says

    June 10, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    My husband died 4 years ago, and I found myself under a tremendous amount of stress and worry. My straight hair started growing in kinky on the top half of my head. I hate it, so I cut it off, about an inch long, and wear wigs full time. I will never wear my natural hair again. Ever.

    Reply
  44. Izabella says

    June 5, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    I’m 12 and when I was 9 my hair was straight and healthy but now I’m 12 and my hair is curly and frizzy and the only thing I do is straighten it and now it has heat damage

    Reply
  45. Marie says

    June 3, 2021 at 5:06 am

    Am 88 years old. Suddenly my hair became curly on the right side only. In back it’s curly only on right side but back left and left side is straight. Does anyone have an answer?

    Reply
    • Yvonne says

      May 26, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      No answer but I’m 80 and suddenly my straight hair is wavy but only on the right side. I take vitamins and bp tab daily. My hair has not gone grey either.

      Reply
  46. Gaillynn says

    May 13, 2021 at 6:15 am

    I add m 53 years old and for the past two years, my hair has slowly changed from pin straight to crazy curly. Now, I do have SEVERAL medical conditions, take a lot of meds, and have had TOO MANY surgeries to ever mention. I worked my way through nursing school as a licensed cosmetologist, so I know about follicles. My younger brother died suddenly 8 years ago, and shortly after my hair around my face, at both temples, turned WHITE. I also noticed that after a recent major surgery, my hair is getting white patches in many areas. I like it, but crazy…

    Reply
  47. Julia says

    April 13, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    i’ve had pretty voluminous hair my whole life but with a much straighter/ loosely wavy texture and recently the bottom layers have turned into big bouncy ringlets but no matter how hard i try the hair around the crown of my head will not cooperate? is there any techniques i could try to get the top of my head to match the bottom ringlets? or will the curly pattern just slowly change on its own as the ringlets are quite new

    Reply
  48. Miriam Helbok says

    April 3, 2021 at 11:14 am

    Although this seems hard to believe, the texture of my hair changed virtually overnight from fairly straight to kinky and wild when I was nine. It happened the weekend when I was nine years old and accompanied a friend and her family to their summer home, in june 1953. While we were riding there in her father’s car, we heard on the car radio that Julius and Ethel Rosenberg had been executed, put to death in the electric chair. As I recall, the radio announcer said that lights dimmed for a few seconds in the vicinity of the place of execution when they were killed. That was on a Friday. When I returned home on Sunday, the texture of my hair had radically changed. I wouldn’t have believed this myself if it hadn’t happened to me.

    Reply
  49. Jillyanna says

    March 28, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    My hair went curly/wavy when I was about 35. I am a redhead and now have a mixed curl pattern (2b/2c/3a) so ringlets, s waves and mild waves all mixed together. My hair is long past my shoulder blades. I battle tangles like you wouldn’t believe. Even using conditioner in the shower and combing with a wide tooth comb, it is all tangles again after rinsing the conditioner out. It’s insane!

    Recently went back to Aveda Be Curly products and it’s getting manageable again. I love my curly hair but it sure can be a pain to manage. I live in Texas and have a humidity curl halo from March til October.

    Reply
    • Johanna Bleumer says

      August 14, 2021 at 1:37 am

      So glad I found your site, I have always had wavy hair (I was born with an afro) seriously I am caucasian . As my hair grew it became wavy. Since I turned 60 my hair has gotten more curly, I love it but didn’t know how to style my hair. I found a hair stylist who specializes in curly hair cuts specifically Quidad. He had to cut a lot due to previous hair dresser razoring my hair (bad for curly hair).
      I now LOVE my curly hair, I did buy the Quidad hair products. I can not get enough of how beautiful and easy to care for my hair is now. There is another way of cutting curly hair, I can’t remember what it’s called tho, that one they cut hair while it’s dry. My Quidad cut was pretty pricey C$180.00 for cut and style (he gave lots of information on how to treat my new curls). I won’t have to come back until 3 month from cut. I’m so happy I found this new way of styling my hair. I love it so much

      Reply
  50. Doneta Moore says

    March 27, 2021 at 11:18 am

    I would be happy if my hair went curly, but I am not happy that only one side curled………

    Reply
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