Curly, wavy, and straight hair types are commonly used to describe the texture and style of different people’s hair. These hair types are often associated with African, Asian or Indian, and Caucasian backgrounds. This article will focus on differentiating between curly and wavy hair, two terms that are often used together when describing hair types.
Curly Hair
Curly hair can be easily identified without any laboratory analysis, as the difference is quite noticeable, particularly when compared to straight hair. Curls and waves are not mutually exclusive, and the main difference between them seems to be the intensity of the curls.
The shape of the cell that produces curly hair is oblong, causing the hair follicle to grow very close to the scalp. This results in the hair not growing in a straight direction but instead curling like a snake. Curly hair has a coarse, wool-like texture and is often found in people from warm and humid climates. Most individuals from African countries with Negro ancestry have curly hair.
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair is neither straight nor curly, but it hints at curls in the form of waves within the straight hair. It does not have the spirals that are characteristic of curly hair.
The cells producing wavy hair are round, allowing the hair to continue growing somewhat straight, though not always in a completely straight line like straight hair. Wavy hair is soft and not thick or coarse. People with white skin typically have either straight or wavy hair, while people from Asian countries tend to have wavy hair.
Key Takeaways
- Curly hair is kinky with tight curls, while wavy hair lies between straight and curly hair with a zigzag pattern.
- Curly hair has a thicker, coarser texture and begins curling closer to the scalp, while wavy hair is straighter, softer, and has a thinner texture.
- Curly hair is more common in people of African descent, while wavy hair is more common in people with Asian or white skin.
