Why Has My Curly Hair Gone Straight?
Photo: Robert Trachtenberg
Q: In the past few months, my curly hair has been growing in straight. Could this be due to the new dye my colorist is using—or is it my fluctuating hormones?
A:It's probably not the dye that's changing your hair texture, says David H. Kingsley, PhD, author of The Hair-Loss Cure: A Self-Help Guide. But hormonal shifts—like those that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause—can alter the shape of the hair follicle. (Think of the follicle as a tube: If it has a slight curve, the hair grows in curly; if it doesn't, the hair grows in straight.) Hormonal changes can also affect the diameter of the hair, making it coarser or finer.
Keep in mind: As your texture changes, consider switching shampoo and conditioner, says hairstylist Ryan Trygstad of the Marie Robinson Salon. If you had thick, curly hair that's now growing in straighter and finer, you'll have better hair days if you choose lighter products formulated for your new type. (Try Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Flat to Volume Shampoo, $5, or Dove Volume Boost Conditioner, $4, drugstores.)
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