It's common and completely normal for your hair to have different types or textures across your head. The primary reasons your hair exhibits varied textures are genetics and environmental factors.
The Influence of Genetics
Just like your eye color or height, many characteristics of your hair are inherited from your biological family.
According to sources, a major reason for varied hair textures is genetic inheritance. Hair type and texture are inherited, meaning you get them from your biological family. This explains why having multiple hair types or textures on different parts of your head – often called multitextured hair – is also typically genetic.
This means the shape of your hair follicles (which determines if hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily) and the density of your hair can vary across your scalp due to the unique genetic blueprint passed down through generations.
Environmental and Other Factors
While genetics lay the foundation, external and internal factors can also influence or alter hair texture over time.
- Humidity and Climate: The amount of moisture in the air can significantly impact how your hair behaves. Humid environments often cause hair, especially wavy or curly types, to frizz or become more defined, potentially highlighting texture differences.
- Hair Care Practices: Frequent heat styling (blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons) or chemical treatments (coloring, perms, relaxers) can damage the hair structure, leading to changes in texture and potentially creating variations across the head, especially if certain areas are treated differently or are more susceptible to damage.
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or medical conditions can affect hair growth cycles and texture.
- Aging: As people age, hair often changes. It may become finer, thinner, or change in texture or color.
- Physical Damage: Wear and tear from tight hairstyles, harsh brushing, or friction can also alter texture in specific areas.
Understanding and Caring for Multitextured Hair
Having different hair types on your head is a natural phenomenon. Recognizing the different textures allows you to tailor your hair care routine effectively.
Here are some tips for managing multitextured hair:
- Identify the different texture patterns on your head.
- Use products that cater to the needs of your most dominant or most fragile texture. For example, if you have both wavy and curly sections, you might focus on products that define curls and control frizz.
- Deep condition regularly to provide moisture and strength to all hair types.
- Minimize heat styling and chemical treatments to prevent damage.
- Protect your hair at night using a silk or satin pillowcase or bonnet to reduce friction.
By understanding the roles of genetics and environmental factors, you can better appreciate and care for the unique characteristics of your hair.
