If you’ve ever wondered whether curly hair actually grows slower than straight or wavy types, you’re not alone. This age-old question continues to intrigue and spark discussions among hair enthusiasts and experts. It’s a common perception that curly hair takes its sweet time increasing in length, but let’s explore this topic deeper.
Do Curly Hair Grow Slower?
Unraveling the Myth
Every month, we expect our hair to shoot up about a half an inch, amounting to roughly six inches per year. However, for those with curls, this process might appear slower. This is not just a lingering inquiry but a complexity layered with myths and truths.
Does the tightness of curls actually lag behind when compared to other hair types? The growth rate of curly hair might seem deceiving due to the way curls coil and bunch up, making it hard to notice the actual length gained.
The Science of Curly Hair
Exploring curly hair, which ranges from loose waves to Z-shaped coils, reveals its unique growth patterns. Curly hair follicles are oval-shaped and asymmetrical, creating an elliptical shape that forms the curl. This differs significantly from straight hair, where cells in the straight follicle work in unison, allowing the hair to grow evenly from the follicle in a round shape.
When hair is wet, water weighs down the hair, altering how it looks compared to its dry strands. This is the best time to examine your follicles. The hair on your head grows differently depending on its location—hair on the back of the neck might have a looser pattern compared to the hair on the front and sides.
The Elliptical Shape of Follicle as a Core Factor
When viewed under a microscope, hair follicles reveal a fascinating world where unique and specific follicle attributes determine the ultimate shape of each individual strand of hair. Curly hair follicles are shaped like ovals, with flatter ovals leading to curlier hair.
The angle at which the hair follicle tunnels into the scalp plays a crucial role. Follicles that are angled into the skin will make the hair curl as it grows, whereas vertically oriented follicles produce straight hair.
Additionally, curved follicles may cause dryness in your Twistytreasure because the curve prevents the skin’s natural oil or sebum from coating the entire length of the strand. The intricate structure and activity within the follicle affect how the keratinized fiber eventually protrudes from the scalp, linking directly to follicular activities.
Do Hair Follicles Contribute to Hair Growth?
People are born with around 5 million hair follicles, little pockets in the skin where hair grows. About 100,000 of these follicles are on the scalp, and those with oval-shaped follicles tend to have very curly hair, while round follicles produce straight hair.
The stages of hair growth begin with the follicle and its hair root, which is made up of protein cells. As blood circulates through the body, it delivers oxygen and nutrients to these cells, allowing them to multiply and build hair. The oil gland near the skin keeps the hair soft and shiny as it grows.
Over a few years, each follicle will go through active and inactive periods in the hair growth cycle, eventually leading to hair shedding as part of the normal process.
The Continuous Hair Growth Cycle
Hair growth follows a cyclical pattern with three phases: Anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen (resting). Each hair follicle independently cycles through these stages, resulting in a staggered growth pattern.
The Anagen phase’s duration, primarily genetics-dependent, directly influences hair length and growth rate. For many people wondering the best way to grow curly hair, it’s crucial to understand that genetics play a vital role. However, the important use of the right products can also help with both growth and retention.
So the Question Arises: Does Curly Hair Grow Slower?
Curly hair may grow at the same rate as straight hair, as noted by Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. However, the coils and curls often keep the hair from growing straight down, creating the appearance of slower-growing hair.
This is why it can sometimes feel like gaining just a few inches takes forever. Although the notion that curly hair inherently grows slower is widespread, a shift in perspective is needed. The true factor lies in the coiled structure and natural spring of curly hair, which can obscure length.
Genetic factors, rather than hair type, dictate the pace of hair growth. The unique characteristics of curly hair, like its spiral structure, contribute to its slower progress in appearance, but not necessarily in actual growth.
This reminds us that the hair growth journey is diverse and unfolds over months, with an average hair growth of 0.5 inches (or 1.25 cm), totaling about 6 inches (or 15 cm) per year, although it can vary based on individual factors.
Why Curly Hair Seems to Grow Slower?
Follicle Shape
The shape of the hair follicle plays a crucial role in how hair grows. Curly hair often has an oval or elliptical-shaped follicle, unlike the perfectly round follicles of straight hair. This spiral pattern in curly hair adds length to the curl, but it can result in slower overall growth.
Growth Rate
The weaker growth rate is another factor. Studies show that the actual growth rate of individual curly hairs is slightly slower compared to straight hairs. While the average growth rate for straight hair is about 0.5 inches per month, curly hair may grow only 0.3-0.4 inches per month.
Susceptibility to Breakage
Curly hair is also more prone to breakage and shedding due to its bends and kinks. This fragile nature makes it more susceptible to damage, leading to more hairs falling out before they reach their full length.
Poor Circulation
Finally, poorer circulation in the coiled shape of curly hair follicles can contribute to poorer blood circulation to the hair roots, which may inhibit growth. The structural differences in curly hair often lead to increased breakage and slower overall growth rate compared to straight hair types. The curlier the hair, the more pronounced this effect tends to be.
How to Increase Curly Hair Growth?
Be Cautious Regarding Hair Breakage
If you have curly hair, you might notice it seems to grow slower than straight hair. This isn’t just your imagination. The unique structure of curly hair, which is more ribbon-like and flat, makes it more susceptible to breakage.
Unlike straight hair with its round strands and consistent diameter, curly hair has irregular diameters with thicker and thinner areas along its length. These inconsistencies, along with multiple turning points, make it prone to snapping off. Sometimes split ends also limit hair growth so it is essential to take care of it.
To combat this, good moisturization is crucial. Using products that can penetrate the hair shaft effectively will help your curls thrive. Choose a regimen that’s tailored to your specific curl type, and don’t skimp on pampering your hair with deep conditioning treatments regularly. This approach not only preserves the length you have but encourages healthier hair growth.
Things to Avoid
- To help your curly hair grow without interruptions, never use a fine-tooth comb or a brush; instead, opt for a wide-tooth comb or a Double Detangler to smoothly work through tangles.
- Minimize heat styling and always shield hair with a heat protectant before blow drying or using hot tools.
- Additionally, avoid tight ponytails and elastics made of rubber or with metal clasps that can snag strands and cause breakage.
- Instead, focus on silk/satin scrunchies which are gentle on curly hair strands.
Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair
Experts like Wagmeister and Dr. Henry emphasize the importance of a balanced diet for optimal hair growth. Incorporating foods high in lean protein, such as salmon and lean meat, and those rich in iron like spinach, almonds, and walnuts, can significantly impact the health of your curls.
Additionally, don’t shy away from complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and brown rice; they provide the energy needed by hair-forming cells. Also, Biotin supplementation is often recommended as it can work wonders for your hair’s vitality.
Final Thought
This blog provides answers to the common question, “Does curly hair grow slower?” It’s paramount to separate fact from fiction when discussing curly hair growth. Understanding that growth rates are primarily influenced by genetics and that proper care, maintenance, and good habits play crucial roles is critical to accelerating growth. By dispelling myths and nurturing the unique characteristics of curls, individuals can embark on a journey toward healthier and longer curly locks.
FAQs
Does Curly Hair Take Longer to Grow?
Curly hair grows more slowly than straight hair, not because it doesn’t lengthen quickly, but because its curls grow outward due to the texture and density. This makes it seem like it doesn’t grow straight down as fast.
Why Does My Curly Hair Grow So Slowly?
The distinctive structure of curly hair often creates an illusion of slower growth. Factors like shrinkage and coiling can make it appear to grow less quickly, although the actual growth rate is only relatively slower.
Does Curly Hair Grow Shorter?
Although hair growth rates are similar across different textures, curly hair may appear to grow slower because of its coiled nature. This illusion can make it seem like it’s not growing as long as straight hair.
How to Help Curly Hair Grow Faster?
To encourage faster growth for curly hair, Leave Your Cut to the Professionals to avoid damage. Stay Away From Heat-Styling Tools and Keep Coloring to a Minimum to preserve hair health. Regularly Try a Scalp Massage to stimulate growth, Boost Hydration for stronger strands, and Protect Your Strands Every Night with silk or satin coverings.
Dive into the world of curls with Farah, a celebrated curly hair expert whose passion and expertise have transformed her into a beacon for those seeking to embrace their natural hair texture. With a vibrant career spanning over a decade, Farah has dedicated herself to the science and art of curly hair, making her an authoritative voice in this niche. Her deep understanding of curly hair’s unique needs and challenges allows her to craft personalized care routines and styles that not only enhance the natural beauty of curls but also promote hair health.