Curly hair arises primarily due to the asymmetry of both the hair follicle and the proteins (keratin) within the hair itself.
Here's a breakdown:
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Asymmetrical Hair Follicle: The follicles that produce curly hair are not perfectly round. Instead, they are asymmetrical and often curved. Crucially, these follicles also sit at an angle beneath the skin's surface. This angled and asymmetrical shape causes the hair shaft to be bent or curved as it emerges, leading to curls.
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Uneven Keratin Distribution: Keratin is the protein that makes up the bulk of our hair. In curly hair, the keratin isn't distributed evenly throughout the hair shaft. This uneven distribution leads to differential growth on opposite sides of the hair, forcing it to bend and curl. Think of it like a rubber band stretched more on one side – it will naturally curl towards the side with less tension.
In essence, the shape of the follicle dictates the shape of the hair as it grows, and the distribution of keratin reinforces and contributes to that shape, resulting in varying degrees of curls, waves, or coils.
