What Makes Hair Curl?
The science behind curly coiffures and poker-straight strands
A few months ago, I went and got my hair done at my local salon — it was such a treat, I’ve barely been in the past two years, given the pandemic.
I’m always in awe of those that cut and style hair. Whilst keeping up an animated conversation, the stylist managed to snip away my split ends, chisel my hairline into a flattering shape and then, effortlessly, use hot air to transform my usual haystack into a sleek, shiny do.
Is there anything like the feeling just after you’ve had your hair done? I went to the local supermarket to pick up up some milk, and as I did, I bounced down the aisles, taking every opportunity to flick my ‘new do’ about: much to the bemusement of fellow customers.
Anyway, my shiny ‘new do’ was not to last: as I walked home in the drizzle, the inevitable frizz started, despite the best efforts of the salon. My sleek shiny look was no more — bedhead was back.
Oh well, it was nice whilst it lasted.
It made me wonder, why do people have such different textured hair — from poker straight hair to masses of tumbling curls? And why do heat and humidity allow us to change the texture of our hair?
