Contrary to popular belief, having crinkly hair does not imply that your hair is difficult to manage.
In reality, crinkly hair is just a term for hair strands that are thicker and broader than most other hair varieties.
When treated properly, these bigger strands may retain a curl or style nicely and appear healthy, robust, and powerful.
The trick, like with most kinds of hair, is to know:
1. How to take care of your hair
2. Which products should be used?
3. Things to avoid
In this article, we’ll look at the most common causes of dry, crinkly hair and what you can do to treat it.
How do you know if you have crinkly hair?
Crinkly hair is genetically disposed of in many people. This kind of hair is merely a natural texture shared by many races, and many people enjoy having it.
Crinkly hair is defined by stylists and dermatologists as having a broader circumference than other hair kinds.
You can feel the thickness of crinkly hair when you roll it between your fingers. It usually feels and seems wider than a spool of sewing thread.
The strand of fine hair is slightly thinner and more difficult to feel between your fingertips.
If your hair was not always naturally rough, there are certain factors that might cause it to become rougher.
Coarse hair can be caused by:
1. Prescription medicines, such as steroids and Minoxidil for hair growth
2. An imbalance of hormones
3. Some thyroid disorders
Why are some of my hair strands crinkly?
What’s the deal with my crinkly hair strands? If you have a lot of bumps and frizz, it might be due to excessive porosity, which is a frequent problem with crinkly hair. If your hair is fine, an easy treatment would be to try to experiment with different style products, or to have your stylist experiment with different cuts and trims.
Hair porosity describes how porous or non-porous your hair is. When the scales in the cuticle layer overlap, moisture may readily enter and remain in the hair shaft.
The cuticle plates overlap so closely in hair with low porosity levels that moisture cannot access the hair shaft. As a result, the product can accumulate on your hair and create a greasy residue.
The cuticles of hair with a high level of porosity are elevated and split, reducing the possibility of water getting within the hair.
It’s generally a good idea to figure out what’s causing your hair to feel harsh before continuing treatment with these products. You might have harmed your hair in some manner.
Have you recently had your hair chemically processed? Chemical procedures used to affect the qualities of hair are known to induce the cuticle of the hair to rise, allowing the chemical to permeate through. This technique alters the qualities of your hair, such as its color and texture.
Other Reasons
Straw-like hair is frequently the outcome of common hair care mistakes, such as the following:
- Using excessively hot drying and styling products such hair dryers, curling irons, electric rollers, and flat irons
- Using heat-based drying and styling equipment on a regular basis Shampooing on a regular basis
- using a shampoo that contains harsh compounds, such as sulfates, that are damaging to your hair type
- not using a conditioner on a regular basis or one that is suited to your hair type
- not using a hydrating hair mask as part of your hair care regimen
- failing to be gentle enough when detangling damp hair
- not eating a diet rich in the vitamins and minerals required to maintain hair health
- getting your hair colored or touched up on a regular basis
- not getting your hair clipped on a regular basis, resulting in split ends
- not wearing a cap to protect your hair from the sun or using a UV-protective product
- exposing your hair to harsh circumstances, such as a hot, dry climate or the cold, dry air that might follow a seasonal change
- overexposure to chemicals, such as swimming in a pool for an extended period of time
Could this be a medical concern?
Dry and brittle hair might be a sign of a medical problem, such as:
Hypothyroidism: One of the first signs that your thyroid gland isn’t generating enough thyroid hormone is dry, brittle hair.
Hypoparathyroidism: When your body does not make enough parathyroid hormone, you may have a calcium deficit, which causes dry and brittle hair.
An eating disorder: Many eating disorders cause malnutrition, which can cause dry, brittle hair.
How to fix it?
The first step in restoring straw-like hair is to examine your hair-care practice. Consider changing your habits and the goods you use. As an example:
- Reduce the heat setting on your hair drying and styling tools and use them less often.
- Choose a shampoo that is suitable for your hair type and limit your shampooing frequency.
- Choose a conditioner that is suited for your hair type and apply it on a regular basis.
- Wear a hat, scarf, or other head covering to protect your hair from the sun’s UV radiation and other environmental conditions.
- Make changes to your diet to add nutritional items that promote healthy hair.
Other Ways
Why are some of the strands of my hair crinkly? In two stages, learn how to repair rough, porous hair. The first step is to rinse your hair with items that will restore the pH balance of your hair and assist the cuticle scales to lay flatter. After washing your hair, rinse it with aloe vera juice or apple cider vinegar.
These creams will encourage the scales on the surface of your hair to flatten, making it smoother and removing any lumps. They will also aid with dryness by retaining moisture in your hair.
After sectioning your hair, treat each strand with oils to help trap moisture and preserve the cuticle scales. The type of oil you use will be determined by your goals.
If you have fine, straight hair, use lighter oils such as olive oil to avoid weighing it down. If you have thick hair and are seeking a better way to keep moisture in, consider several products containing oils and butter.
How to maintain crinkly, porous hair?
This is one disadvantage of using this solution. To balance your increased oil usage, you’ll need to wash your hair more frequently.
This isn’t always a negative thing. It encourages you to be more regular with your hair care routine, which is helpful for high porosity hair.
Adding an extra wash day to your hair care regimen will make a bigger difference than you think! If you have fine, sensitive hair and see a lot of buildup in your roots, consider washing with lukewarm water for a few minutes before shampooing, followed by a conditioner. Also, for stunning locks, use heat protection at night and leave a serum in your hair overnight.
One of the most often asked topics is how to avoid having crinkly hair. Curly hairstyles are difficult to discover, but with a lot of study and trial and error, they may be made.
Curling irons with adjustable heat settings can occasionally give some relief for people seeking a solution.
Tips
Knowing how to care for coarse hair might help you manage and style it more easily. The right treatments can also help your thick strands get body and luster.
Here are eight hair care professionals’ recommendations for improving the health and manageability of coarse hair.
Apply conditioning creams.
Conditioning creams and serums can assist in restoring the natural form of your hair shaft by allowing it to lay flat.
Also, by filling the hair with silicone and proteins, several frizz-taming conditioning creams can preserve coarse hair from displaying symptoms of damage.
Serums may give shine and weight to unmanageable, coarse hair that refuses to stay put.
Avoid using hair products containing alcohol.
Many hair treatments, particularly hair sprays and gels, use alcohol as a key component. Although these creams might temporarily tame your mane, they can also dehydrate your hair.
Coarse hair is prone to damage since it dries out quickly. When possible, choose alcohol-free or low-alcohol solutions for your styling products.
Use a silk pillowcase to sleep on.
Despite the lack of studies to back up the claim, many beauty gurus advocate sleeping on a silk pillowcase to prevent your hair from:
- Snarls
- Tangles
- Damage
Silk pillowcases have a frictionless surface that is softer on your hair and skin than cotton pillowcases.
They also absorb less moisture, which may aid in the retention of your hair’s natural oil and gloss.
If you decide to buy a silk pillowcase, be sure it’s genuine silk and not marketed as “silk-like,” which might suggest it’s made of inferior materials.
Heat styling should be limited.
Excessive use of heat styling products might dehydrate your hair, causing it to:
- Drier
- Frizzier
- Less manageable
If you have coarse hair, keep your heat styling process to a minimum. One research says that if you blow dry your hair, keeping the blow dryer around 6 inches away from your hair may help avoid damage.
It is also critical to keep the dyer moving and not fixated on any one location.
Try deep conditioning masks
Deep conditioning hair masks are great for nourishing, moisturizing, and softening tough hair. You may make your own DIY hair masks with natural ingredients such as:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Aloe vera
- Avocado
If you’ve tried a hair mask that’s particularly beneficial to your hair, you can increase its efficacy by leaving it on overnight.
You might also wish to try hot oil treatments containing:
- Aavocado oil
- Jojoba oil
- Coconut oil
These plant oils can help to preserve and hydrate your hair, as well as reduce frizz and dryness.
Once a week, apply a hair mask or hot oil treatment to your hair. If your hair is really dry, you should apply the treatment twice a week.
Take your vitamins
While the right products and treatments might benefit your hair on the surface, what you eat can influence the health and vitality of your hair on the inside.
The following vitamins and minerals are very essential for healthy hair:
- Vitamins A, C, D, and E
- Biotin
- Niacin
- Iron
The greatest strategy to improve your intake of these vitamins is to consume them through your diet.
If you’re having trouble getting enough of these nutrients from your diet, you might want to consider taking them as supplements. Supplements can assist to adjust for dietary deficiencies.
However, before taking any supplements, consult with your doctor.
Get regular haircuts.
For all hair types, a decent rule of thumb is to trim your hair every 8-10 weeks.
Trimming your hair on a regular basis will help you get rid of split ends and damaged hair from:
- Glow drying
- Heat styling tools
- Coloring
- Other treatments
Scheduling a hair appointment every few months may be beneficial.
Working with a hairstylist may help you keep your hair in form and style without being burdened down by damaged ends and prone to snarls.
Identify the suitable brush
Make use of a flat or circular brush with plenty of space between the bristles.
Brush your hair when it’s damp if you have coarse hair. As your hair dries, this may assist to reduce frizz, flyaways, and knots. Avoid over-brushing your hair as well.
Select a brush that spreads your hair’s natural oil from the scalp to the ends while also removing excess oil.
Verdict
If your hair feels like straw, it’s most likely due to a lack of moisture. This is usually repairable by changing your normal hair products and hair care routine.
If product and lifestyle modifications do not resolve the issue, consult your doctor or dermatologist. They may do tests to rule out possible medical disorders including hypothyroidism or hyperparathyroidism.