Why Do Coarse, Curly Hairs Grow on the Head? Is It Normal? Causes and Care

Why Do Coarse, Curly Hairs Grow on the Head? Is It Normal? Causes and Care

Have you ever found one or two unusually thick, tightly curled hairs while brushing or drying your hair?

These hairs are commonly referred to as “bristle-like hairs.”

People often say things like, “If you pull it out, another one will grow,” “It’s caused by a nutritional deficiency,” or “Could this be the beginning of hair loss?” However, quite a few of these claims are not actually true.

So why do only some hairs grow with a noticeably different shape?

In this article, we will take an easy look at the various causes of coarse, curly hairs, their relationship to hair loss, and ways to manage them.

Why Do Coarse, Curly Hairs Develop?

Although all human hair may appear to grow in the same way, its thickness and direction can vary slightly depending on the shape of the follicles and the environment in which they grow.

In particular, hair growing from certain follicles may be unusually thick, wavy, or twisted as it grows.

In most cases, this is not a disease but rather a result of the individual characteristics of the hair follicles.

In other words, finding one or two curly hairs can be a common and normal occurrence.

Different Follicle Shapes Produce Different Hair

Hair is produced in structures called hair follicles beneath the skin.

When a follicle is round and straight, straight hair is more likely to grow.

Conversely, if a follicle is slightly oval or twisted, the hair may naturally grow wavy or tightly curled.

Because the shapes of hair follicles can vary slightly even across one person’s scalp, hairs that look bristle-like may appear only in certain areas.

Hair Texture Can Change With Age

Some people have straight hair when they are younger but feel that it gradually becomes thicker or curlier as they age.

This is because the structure of the hair follicles can gradually change during the aging process.

As the amount of sebum produced by the scalp changes and the tissues around the follicles also change, hair with a different texture from before may grow.

Especially after the 30s to 50s, it is not uncommon to notice these curly hairs more often than before.

Hormonal Changes May Also Have an Effect

During periods of significant hormonal change, such as puberty, pregnancy and childbirth, or menopause, the characteristics of the hair may change.

Women may experience hair that becomes rougher or curlier than before after childbirth.

Men may also experience changes in the thickness and direction of some hairs due to a combination of hormonal and genetic influences.

Damaged Hair May Also Look Curly

Frequent coloring, perming, or use of hair irons can damage the protein structure of the hair.

Damaged hair may be unable to retain enough moisture, causing its surface to become rough and making it look twisted.

In such cases, the curling is often more pronounced in the portions that have already been damaged than in newly growing hair.

Is the Claim That This Is Caused by Nutritional Deficiency True?

A deficiency of nutrients such as iron, zinc, or protein can cause hair to become thinner or break easily.

However, nutritional deficiency alone is not a common cause of specific hairs becoming tightly curled and bristle-like.

Therefore, finding a curly hair does not automatically mean that you need to take nutritional supplements.

Maintaining a balanced diet is more important.

Could It Be Related to Hair Loss?

If you have only one or two curly hairs, you usually do not need to worry.

However, the situation is different if the thickness of your hair continues to become increasingly uneven compared with before, thin and twisted hairs increase, and your overall hair density also decreases.

In hereditary hair loss, the follicles gradually shrink, and thin, abnormally shaped hairs may grow instead of hair with a normal thickness.

If these changes persist, especially in areas where hair loss is common, such as an M-shaped hairline or the crown, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist or a medical professional specializing in hair loss.

Is It Okay to Pull Out Curly Hairs?

Some people repeatedly pull them out because they find them bothersome.

However, repeatedly stimulating the same follicle can place stress on the tissue around it.

Pulling one out once or twice is unlikely to cause a major problem, but it is best to avoid making a habit of repeatedly pulling them out.

If necessary, trimming the hair with scissors is a safer option.

Coarse, curly hairs on the head are usually a natural phenomenon caused by the shape of the hair follicles or genetic characteristics.

Age, hormonal changes, and hair damage may also play a role, and there is generally no need for significant concern if you find only one or two hairs.

However, if your hair becomes more irregular in thickness than before, twisted hairs suddenly increase, or decreased hair density occurs at the same time, this could be an early sign of hair loss, so it is advisable to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

In daily life, reducing excessive use of heated styling tools and paying attention to a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and scalp health care are the best ways to maintain healthy hair.

Even small changes in your hair can be important signals about the condition of your scalp. If you notice ongoing changes, it is advisable not to ignore them and to check the cause.