As you age, curly hair often experiences looser curls, increased dryness and frizz, and potentially thinner strands, primarily due to hormonal shifts (like menopause), reduced sebum production, and changes in hair follicle shape, leading to a drier, coarser texture and less defined patterns. Your curls might loosen, become wavier, or even change pattern, with graying strands often appearing wirier, while some people might even develop curls from straighter hair.
Over time, those with curly hair may notice looser curls or new curl patterns. If you have coily hair, it's possible for it to become frizzier as you age.
How to care for curly gray hair
If aside from hair loss, it feels like your curls have lost their spring or are looking a little lanky… you're probably not imagining things. Reasons for why your curl pattern might have changed range from hormones, genetics, overstyling and scalp health.
There's a couple of different things that can cause curly hair to go straight suddenly, especially if you've recently moved, changed what products you were using, or had any hormonal changes recently (ie pregnancy, going on/changing birth control, etc.).
Expert tips to get your curl pattern back
One interesting aspect is the effect of changing hormones on hair texture. During puberty, the surge of oestrogen in pre-teen and teenage girls can physically change the shape of hair follicles. Straight hair can become curly (and curly hair can become straight), seemingly overnight.
During puberty, menopause and pregnancy, many people will find their will go from straight to curly or vice versa over a period of months. It's also interesting to note that even long periods of stress can be enough to change the texture of your hair.
Over-moisturized hair looks limp, mushy, and lacks definition, with curls falling flat and feeling overly soft, stretchy (without bouncing back), and heavy, often appearing stringy or greasy, even feeling cool and damp for a long time after washing due to moisture overload and a lack of protein balance.
The rarest hair type is generally considered Type 1A, which is extremely fine, straight, and wispy, lacking any natural bends or waves, making it difficult to hold a curl but naturally sleek and prone to oiliness. While curly hair types (Type 3 & 4) are less common globally, 1A stands out as the least voluminous and textured straight hair, often seen in people of East Asian descent, though it's considered rare across all populations due to its unique fineness.
Stringy, straight ends and looser curl patterns. These sorts of noticeable changes in texture can be a red flag. Excessive heat is usually the culprit, but bleach/color damage, dryness or over-manipulation can be contributing factors as well.
Understanding Hair Oiling Frequency
If your hair is dry, frizzy, or curly, you'll probably want to oil it about 2 to 3 times a week 📅. These hair types tend to lose moisture faster, so the extra hydration is crucial.
Pineappling is a technique in which the hair is loosely gathered at the highest point of the head, usually before sleep. This protects the curl pattern while helping your hair maintain natural volume. Simply take it out when you're ready to wear it down.
Curls and Waves: More Volume, More Youthful
They instantly create a fuller look and divert attention away from fine lines or wrinkles. This playful and soft style is perfect for achieving a youthful appearance, especially for women over 50. It adds movement and a lively touch that can brighten up your overall look.
The present case did not have such typical findings, implying that curly hair might be one of the early clinical signs of suspected selenium deficiency.
When your hair's dehydrated it'll look dull and feel rough. You'll probably also find that it's tough to style, lacks volume and split ends are seriously visible.
Pretty Curly Girl Tip:
Alternate weekly between the Intense Protein Deep Conditioner and the Intense Moisture Deep Conditioner. If your hair feels less bouncy or strong, it needs more protein. If it feels dry or frizzy, it needs more moisture.
Signs of hair damage range from split ends and breakage to frizz, dullness to dryness, and can result in hair that lacks strength, shape and shine.
Specifically, the following seven steps will restore moisture to your curly hair:
Avoid high heat when styling
To get your natural curls back, it's essential to take a break from high heat styling. By doing this, you'll notice more bounce and curl definition over time, as well as reduced frizz.
Ever wondered why your hair takes on new textures as you age? The answer lies within your hair follicles. As time goes on, follicles often shrink, affecting the thickness and structure of your hair shaft. This can enhance your curls or, on the flip side, make your once-curly hair lose some of its bounce.
Those petty hormones.
The shape of your hair follicles defines your curl pattern and texture, so when your body goes through a major hormonal overhaul, it can also change the shape of your follicles, thus changing your curl pattern.
Hormonal Changes: How They Impact Hair Texture
So, hormonal events like menstruation, pregnancy & menopause can affect your curl. There are a few things you can do to help combat hormone-driven hair changes: Moisturize, condition & steam when your hair starts feeling dry.
Here are 9 signs your hormones may be out of whack:
Acne, wrinkle meds (retinoids) Several case studies have reported patients whose hair became curlier from two months to a year after taking retinoid medications that include treatments for eczema and psoriasis.