What Causes Different Hair Types and Textures?

Key Takeaways:

• Your genes determine the natural curl pattern, thickness, and density of your hair.
• Environmental factors, age, hormonal changes, and how you care for your hair also impact your hair type and texture.
• Hair issues can be addressed with the right OLAPLEX routine, whether you’re dealing with dryness, frizz, buildup, or something else.

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What Causes Different Hair Types and Textures?

The uniqueness of hair types and textures all comes down to a science. Your hair type is the natural shape of your hair strands, and your hair texture is the feel of each individual strand. From tightly coiled curls to fine, stick-straight hair, everyone’s hair has its character. But what causes all these differences?

Genetics, Obviously

It’s no shocker that your hair comes from your heritage: genetics greatly influence your hair. Genetics determine the shape of your hair follicle, which directly affects whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly. Same for your hair’s thickness, density, and growth rate.

But It’s Not Just Genetics…

What causes curly hair, wavy hair, or any hair type or texture isn’t as simple as genetics. Your environment, how you care for your hair, and more matter, too.

Humidity (and the Opposite)

Humidity and climate, in general, can dramatically impact your hair, especially if your hair is naturally curly or wavy. Extra moisture in the air infiltrates the hair shaft and causes it to swell and frizz. Control with OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil for 72-hour frizz control.

Conversely, dry climates with low humidity suck the moisture out of hair and dry it out. This may make hair look dull and harder to manage. Repair and nourish with OLAPLEX Nº.5 Leave-In Moisturize Mend, which is proven to provide immediate moisture to dry hair.

UV Damage

Unless you never see the sun, we’re exposed to harmful UV rays on a regular basis, and just like our skin, exposure to UV rays damages hair.

Pollution and Chemical Exposure

Pollution, such as dust and smoke, as well as exposure to chemicals like chlorine from swimming in pools, can cause buildup on your hair. This buildup dries the hair and makes it susceptible to damage.

Give your hair a deep cleanse with OLAPLEX Nº.4C Bond Maintenance® Clarifying Shampoo to remove a wide range of impurities that damage hair without stripping strands.

Aging

Yes, hair changes as we age. Hair grows slower, which may lead to thinness. Follicles are prone to shrinkage over time, which can also make hair appear thinner. Your scalp produces less sebum, which can make hair drier, coarser, and less elastic. Coarse hair breaks more easily and is subject to frizziness. Graying is also a natural part of aging; pigment fades and may contribute to coarse hair.

Of course, all this just means it’s time to care for hair differently. Check out these secrets to stunning silver and gray hair.

Pregnancy and Hormones

Hormones can influence hair type and texture, which is often noticeable during puberty and pregnancy.

For example, hair may appear thicker during pregnancy due to an influx of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. These hormones extend the resting phase of the hair cycle (how long a hair stays in the follicle).

Haircare

How you treat your hair daily plays a major role in its overall health. Factors like heat styling, overbrushing, and product buildup can affect your hair’s appearance and manageability.

Do you blow-dry your hair or straighten it frequently? Too much heat can weaken your hair’s structure. Always use a heat protectant prior, like OLAPLEX Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, which shields hair from heat damage up to 450ºF degrees.

If you have curly or wavy hair, brushing can disrupt your curl pattern. To preserve its natural texture, use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush on wet hair.

Care for Your Natural Hair Texture with OLAPLEX

No, you can’t control genetics or the weather, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to rock your true hair type and texture. Understanding your hair and finding a routine that addresses your concern is key to a healthy look.

Sources

1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-aging-affects-your-hair-2223752
2. https://theconversation.com/from-straight-to-curly-thick-to-thin-heres-how-hormones-and-chemotherapy-can-change-your-hair-219329