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Hair can be of different types including curly, wavy, or straight hair. Everyone has a natural hair structure that may vary from one another. Some people with straight hair desire curly hair while some with curly hair desire straight hair. For this, people use different hair care or heat styling products and even go for treatments. A very common problem that we often experience is curls in our hair when they are wet, though they are straight when dry.
So, why is my hair curly when wet? Our hair can often get curly when they are wet even though they are straight in nature. There can be different reasons behind this. But, one of the most common reasons is the interaction of water with the hair molecules when they are wet. Water can interact with the hydrogen bonds and can temporarily change the structure of the hair making it curly. In this article, we’ve shared the interaction of water with hair and some other common reasons that may affect the hair and make it look curly. This article will provide you with all the information about curly hair when they are wet and you can get some tips to prevent them.
Why Does My Hair Curl Up When Wet: Cause
Many people experience curly hair when they are wet but they dry straight. This is a very commonly seen problem among people and can happen for different reasons. The primary reason for the hair getting curly is the reaction of water with the disulfide or hydrogen bonds of the hair. The molecules of the hair are sensitive to water and can temporarily change the shape of the hair. It can also be the hair care product that causes curls to your wet hair but gets straight when it dries up. The hydrogen bonds of the hair can also be influenced by water and can change the shape of the hair making them curly. So, the main cause why the hair gets curly when wet is that different type of molecules reacts differently with water and can make the hair curly. There can be some more reasons why the hair changes its shape but returns to its natural shape when dry.
How Water Interacts with Hair
Knowing the properties of water and hair is very important to know about the reason for the hair getting curly when wet. Here is a closer look at how water interacts with hair:
Hydrogen Bonds: Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom make the water molecules. The hydrogen atoms contain a positive charge while the oxygen contains a partial negative charge. So, when you wet the hair, the water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with each other and change the texture and pattern of the hair.
Absorption: Hair can easily absorb water. When you wet hair, the hair starts absorbing the water and temporarily breaks the hydrogen bonds between the proteins and water molecules. This is how your hair curls up when wet.
Surface Tension: Water has surface tension that can make the hair look frizzy and curly when wet. When we wet our hair, this tension increases and we see curly wet hair as a result.
7 Reasons Why My Hair Is Curly When Wet
There can be different reasons why your hair looks curly when wet but dries straight. Here are some of the common reasons:
1. The Role of Hydrogen Bonds
Understanding the role of hydrogen bonds is very important to know why the hair gets curly when it is wet. When your hair is dry, the chemical bonds stay strong enough to keep the hair straight. Once you wet the hair, water breaks the bond and changes the hair structure making it curly.
2. You have naturally Curly Hair
If your hair curls up when wet, it may be because you have naturally wavy hair. The shape of your hair reflects the shape of the molecules that exist in your hair. There may be strong chemical bonds such as disulfide bonds or hydrogen bonds that can make your hair look curlier when wet.
3. Humidity Affects the Hair
Hair is made of Keratin which is more susceptible to humidity or moisture. If there is much moisture in the hair, the hydrogen bonds may break down and make the hair curly or frizzy. When we wet the hair, the hair absorbs the moisture and makes it frizzy or unmanageable. Some hair types are more prone to humidity causing the straight hair to curly and curly hair to curlier or frizzy.
4. Hair Products Used
Another significant reason for getting the hair curly when wet can be the hair products or the heat styling tools used. Using the right hair products can help you get the natural hair structure whether it is straight or curly. On the other hand, some hair products can weigh your hair down and temporarily change the hair structure.
5. Heat Styling Tools
Heat styling tools also affect the changing structure of the wet hair. These tools can break down the hydrogen bonds and create curls in the hair. Besides, the heat styling tools can damage your hair and can result in hair breakage or split ends.
6. You’re Having too Much Products on Hair
You can apply hair care products when needed on your hair. But the concentration used in your hair is a big concern. Applying too many products will not bring a good result rather it can cause the hair to get curly and frizzy while they are straight when dry.
7. Water Weighs the Hair Down
Our hair strands are made up of hydrogen and disulfide bonds. Generally, the hydrogen bonds are weaker than the disulfide bonds. As a result, water can interact with the hydrogen and change the shape of the hair. When you wet your hair and notice springy ringlets appearing, this can change the hair and develop a different curl pattern.
5 Ways to Stop Your Hair from Curling Up When It’s Wet
People who have naturally straight hair may not like curly hair when they are wet. If your hair curls when it is wet, there are a couple of things you can do to stop it:
1. Use Cold Water
Washing your hair at a low temperature is very important for keeping them straight. Cold water can seal the hair follicles and prevent frizz after the hair is wet. You may not require a complete cold shower rather rinsing the hair with cold water after a hot shower can help prevent the curly or frizzy hair after they are wet.
2. Try Changing the Hair Products
The hair products you use in the shower can make the hair curly once they are wet. So, changing the hair products you use during or after the shower is a wise idea. Choose products that are convenient to use for straight hair.
3. Switch to Straightening or Smoothing Shampoos
Straightening or smoothing shampoos or conditioners contain ingredients that can preserve the straight pattern of the hair and prevent the curls from taking shape.
4. Get a Permanent or Semi-permanent Straightening Treatment
If your hair curls up when they are wet, you can get a permanent or semi-permanent hair treatment like keratin treatments, relaxers, or Japanese hair straightening. These straightening treatments can keep your hair straight even if they are wet.
5. Stop Using a Towel
Your towel can also be responsible for your curly hair after they are wet. A towel can be hard and it can make the hair rough and frizzy. Towels can be of different types and cotton or microfiber towels can help prevent this problem. These towels can be softer on your hair and you won’t notice curls after a shower.
4 Tips to Preserve Your Wet Hair Curl Pattern
While some people do not like the curl pattern after their hair is wet, some desire to preserve the curl pattern. Here are some important tips to preserve the wet hair curl pattern:
- Use Products that are Specially Designed for Curly Hair: To preserve the pretty curls when your hair dries out, you must use products that are specially formulated for curly hair. Curly hair is generally more vulnerable than straight hair. So, using products that are specially designed for curly hair can help enhance the curl patterns.
- Start with Warm Water and end with Cold Water: While washing the hair, you should wet the hair with warm water. This will open up the hair cuticle and nourish the hair from the depth. While using hot water, you should not use too hot water as it can damage your hair and make them dry and frizzy. Rinse off your hair with cold water to preserve the curl pattern.
- Never Combine Your Hair When It’s Dry: Avoid combing your hair when it is dry because it can break the curl structure. You can rather use a finger or two to untangle the hair.
- Dry-Blow Your hair properly: If your hair gets curly after they are wet and you want to maintain the curl pattern, you must use a diffuser. A diffuser may help you to dry your hair without disrupting the curls. Use the diffuser to blow-dry your hair and preserve the hair curls.
Why Curls Go Away When Dry
There are a variety of reasons for which our hair curls up when wet. But the surprising thing is the curls vanish when the hair dries. Here are the reasons for which the curls go away when dry:
- Everyone’s hair type is different. So, finding the right products for your hair is a difficult task. You may be using straightening creams, lotions, sprays, or gels and looking for curls on your hair. So, hair care products affect the structure and texture of your hair.
- When your hair is naturally straight, it is natural for your hair to get back to the straight pattern when they are dry. So, when the water evaporates, your hair gets back to the straight pattern.
- Another reason why the curls go away when the hair dries is the manipulation. You may be manipulating the hair by combing, brushing, or blow drying while it is causing your wet curls to loosen or disappear. As a result, the curls go away when they are dry.
Final Thoughts
Hair is a very significant part of our body that may vary from one another. Many people have straight hair, but it gets curly when wet. There are so many reasons why the hair gets curly when it is wet. The most common reason among them is the reaction of water with the bonds that exist in the hair. The molecules of the hair interact with the water and change the shape of the hair. Most significantly, the hydrogen bonds of the hair are influenced by the water and make the hair look curly. There are also some other reasons like humidity, the hair products or heat styling tools used, and so on. Some people like the curls while others want them to disappear. However, you can follow some ways to stop your hair from curling up when wet or preserve the curls if you wish.
