Have you been frowning over your hair texture looking into the mirror? Has it gone from gorgeous to frizzy and unmanageable recently? We totally get you.
With busy lifestyles, poor diets, stress and pollution, hair care can take a back seat and affect your hair texture. Let's delve deep into the causes of changing hair textures and solutions to improve them.
Highlights:
Know Your Hair Texture
Hair texture has 3 main aspects:
- Curl pattern
- Volume
- Consistency
Curl pattern is based on the shape of your hair follicle. Oval or asymmetrical follicles grow curlier hair. Based on the curling pattern, hair texture can be divided into:
1. Straight
2. Wavy
3. Curly
4. Coily
Based on consistency, hair can be divided into:
1. Fine
2. Medium
3. Coarse
Volume or thickness of hair is based on the circumference of your hair follicle. The circumference of fine hair is the smallest while that of coarse hair is the largest. Circumference of medium hair falls in between these two.
The test
Take a single strand of hair and lay it on a table. If you can barely see hair or feel it between your finger tips, it has fine texture.
If your hair feels thicker, it has a coarse texture. If your hair is thinner than a sewing thread, it is fine. If it looks the same as the thread, it falls under medium category.
Hair that is thicker than a sewing thread can be called coarse hair. You can identify hair textures based on curling patterns too.
Why Does Hair Texture Change?
1. Loss Of Collagen
As you grow older, there is a loss of collagen (structural protein that holds the skin cells together) in the skin and scalp. This can affect the hair follicles and lead to a change in hair texture. Also, the natural oils in the hair are reduced as one ages, leading to drier hair.
2. Hormonal Changes
Your hormones change at various stages of life like puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, birth control and aging. All these can impact your hair follicle density and hair texture.
3. Poor Diet
Your hair needs adequate proteins to feed the hair follicle. Lack of protein can change the texture of your hair. Protein rich foods include salmon, avocado, eggs, nuts and oysters among others.
4. Environmental Changes
Air pollutants can interfere with the protein in your hair that are responsible for hair texture. Cigarette smoke too can have a similar impact on your hair texture.
5. Product Buildup
Most hair care products leave residue on your hair. These can be toxic or non-toxic, but both can have an effect on your hair texture. There is already a build up of dirt and dead skin cells on your scalp besides the product buildup. You could use a clarifying oil to lift away the buildup from your hair.
How Can I Improve My Hair Texture?
1. For Thin Hair
Thin or fine hair is prone to breakage. Switch to a microfibre towel or a soft cotton T-shirt. It is important to dry your hair with fabrics that are soft and quick absorbing without damaging the hair cuticle. Rough fabrics open up the cuticle even more, causing frizz.
2. For Medium Hair
Medium hair is fairly manageable. To maintain the texture, consider adding in a lot of moisture. Green tea works well for medium hair. Dip a bag or two of green tea in hot water and let them remain for 20 minutes. After your regular shower, pour the green tea over your head and let your hair soak in for 3 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Panthenol and antioxidants in green tea help strengthen your hair.
3. For Thick Or Coarse Hair
This kind of hair is good at handling heat, but can be prone to frizz. Coarse hair requires an adequate amount of hydration. Add deep conditioning treatments and oils like coconut and olive oil to make the hair softer and less tangled.
Below are a few other ways in which you can improve the texture of your hair:
A. Oil massage
Massaging your scalp with oil improves blood circulation to the scalp and gives fuller hair over time. You could opt for coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil or castor oil for massaging your scalp thoroughly 3-4 times a week.
B. Egg masks
Eggs are high in protein and are just what you need to boost your hair texture. Beat three eggs in a bowl and apply it as a mask on your scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap and rinse after 30 minutes.
C. Fenugreek Or Methi
Fenugreek works wonders when it comes to hair fall. It also aids in changing hair texture. You can see visibly smoother and shinier hair with consistent usage. Soak 2-3 tablespoons of methi seeds in water overnight. Blend with curd the next morning and apply it on your hair. Wash after 30 minutes with a mild shampoo.
D. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a magical botanical in the sense that it fights split ends, frizziness and weak hair. Besides, it adds shine, moisture and promotes hair growth. You can either apply fresh aloe vera gel onto your scalp and hair or turn to aloe vera enriched hair care products.
What Foods To Eat To Improve Hair Texture?
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Cottage cheese
- Walnuts
- Oysters
- Lentils
- Bell peppers
- Blueberries
- Sweet potatoes
- Beef
- Green tea
- Carrots
Does Hair Texture Change With Age?
Yes, hair texture does change with age. The collagen levels in the skin go down with age due to oxidative damage. Scalp is no longer able to produce enough oils to keep the hair lubricated. The dryness can cause coarser hair. In women, menopause can have an impact on the texture of hair as well.
Can You Change The Texture Of Your Hair?
Your hair texture is largely dependent on your hair follicles. There is not much that you can do to change your hair texture permanently. But with all the above methods, you can improve your hair texture.
Will Shaving My Head Change My Hair Texture?
Shaving can help get rid of the damaged hair, but cannot change the hair texture. Shaving does not impact the shape of your hair follicles on your scalp.
Wrapping Up
Irrespective of your hair texture, avoid excessive heat styling, chemical dyes and harsh hair care products. Use conditioning treatments from oils to aloe vera to deep conditioners to improve your hair texture over time.
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