Last Updated on August 20, 2023 by Reiner Chase
Curly hair is common among Indian girls. About 20% of Indians have wavy or curly hair due to genetic diversity. While straight hair is more prevalent, curly hair is not rare and reflects the diverse hair types within the Indian population.
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Reasons for Hair Being Curly
Hair texture depends on various factors, such as ethnicity, age, and even what type of products you use. So the answer to this question comes down to ethnicity and what hair texture is considered normal for that group.
Ethnicities such as Latin American and Middle Eastern people typically have naturally curly hair due to genetics. At the same time, African Americans are more likely than any other ethnic group in America to be naturally curly-haired people.
Many Asian women find that their hair goes through phases – in childhood, their locks are mostly straight; in adolescence, they may be wavy or curly; and finally, in adulthood, their tresses may become fully kinky and curly.
Finding Out Why Most South Indian Girls Have Curly Hair
There are several opinions about why most South Indian girls have curly hair. It may be because the climate and low-quality water make it hard for people with straight hair to maintain their locks. In South India, there is not much emphasis on keeping up appearances.
There is also the idea that curly hair is more attractive than straight hair. Straight hair can be too easily pulled out and look wet even if one has just washed their locks and dried them with a towel.
South Indians generally have higher levels of estrogen as well as sebum in their scalp, both of which add volume and sheen to curls, giving them an appearance of being thicker than straight hair would have otherwise been
Genetics also contributes to the curly hair situation in South India. For example, some families will often pass down naturally wavy or curly hair from generation to generation. If your parents had naturally wavy or curly hair, then you are likely to have such textured tresses, though genetics does not always determine whether you will have either type of hair.
The South Indian people also have traces of an Arab/Afro-Asiatic/Semitic gene mixture, making it common for them to have curly locks. Many of these genes come from traders who used to go into the region, bringing goods like ivory, spices, fabrics, and enslaved people – all of which carried DNA encoding for traits like curled hair.
The south Indian people fall into the ‘Negrito’ racial group associated with curly hair genes. But this does not mean everyone from South India will automatically have curly hair. All races consist of diverse subgroups, so naturally, there are exceptions to any rule regarding differentiating genetic qualities within populations.
Unraveling the Reasons Why it is Rare to Find a Northeastern Indian Girl with Curly Hair
Genetics is the primary reason most girls from northeastern India have straight hair. The Northeast region of India has two different populations: one of them is people with Persian and Afghan heritage, while the other population is related to the indigenous peoples of Tibet, Burma, and Thailand.
The main genetic characteristic that distinguishes these two populations is the genes that determine their hair texture. People with Persian and Afghan heritage tend to have straight hair, while those who are part of Tibet, Burma, and Thailand tend to have curly or wavy hair.
To test this theory, researchers did a study on people in Kashmir. Half with Persian/Afghan heritages and half with Tibetan/Burmese heritages. The study showed that all those with Caucasian genes had straight hair. In contrast, all those with Asian genes had curly or wavy hair.
Reasons Why Girls from Northern India Have a Mixture of Straight, Wavy, and Curly Hair
Northern India is called the Black Country. That’s because the original inhabitants were Dravidians with dark brown skin and straight hair. Dravidians made up about seventy percent of India before the 18th century and only account for 21% of its population today.
So why do people from this region have straight, wavy, and curly hair? The answer lies in genetics. Humans inherit genes from their parents that determine what type of hair they’ll have.
The area was also heavily influenced by Persian, Arab, Mongolian, and European influences over time, so it makes sense that different hair types are found there too.
Home Remedies for Straightening Wavy/Curly Hair
Try the banana and mayonnaise mask: All you need is one mashed banana and enough mayonnaise to make a gooey mixture.
Rub the mixture onto your wet hair (you’ll want plenty on because this really coats your hair) and cover it in a plastic bag or shower cap. You can leave the mixture on for as long as possible (even overnight). Rinse with cold water, then shampoo as usual.
If you’re feeling fancy, add a few drops of essential oil to the mix. Many believe that drying our curly locks removes their natural beauty; if that’s how you feel about your hair, then there’s no reason to straighten it.
What It’s Like To Have Curly Hair In India
- Indians with curly hair often spend their initial years trying to understand their unique hair type. Unlike the predominantly silky, straight hair types seen in Bollywood, curly hair in India is far less common and less understood.
- Defying Society’s Standards: Indians with curly hair often defy prevalent beauty standards, which are dominated by straight hair. The acceptance for diverse hair textures is on the rise, but the curly-haired folks still has a long way to go to enjoy complete acceptance.
- A Diverse Range of Hair Care Products: Over the past few years, a range of hair care products specifically designed for curly hair have emerged in the Indian market. These products, featuring ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, and aloe vera, cater specifically to the hydration and definition needs of curly hair.Popular ProductsAspects TargetedShea Butter ShampooMoisture RetentionArgan Oil Hair MaskIntense HydrationAloe Vera Curl Defining CreamCurl Formation and Hold
- Challenges in Maintenance: Maintaining curly hair in India’s diverse climatic conditions can prove to be a significant challenge. The intense summer heat, humidity in monsoon, and dry winters each play havoc with the curls.
- Hair Salons Experience: For people with curly hair, experiences at local hair salons can range from mildly inconvenient to downright disastrous, given the hairstylists’ unfamiliarity with managing and styling such locks.
- Growing the Curly Hair Community: Despite the challenges, there is a burgeoning community of curly-haired people in India who share tips, experiences, and success stories on various online forums and social media platforms.
- Self-love and Acceptance: Many Indians with curly hair go through a journey of self-love and acceptance, learning to embrace their natural hair texture. Campaigns like ‘#LoveYourCurls’ encourage people to flaunt their curls with pride.
- Exploring Hairstyling Options: Indians with curly hair have been increasingly exploring various styling options that not only enhance their curls but also establish new beauty standards. Examples include Bantu knots, twist-outs, and diffused blowouts.
- Environmentally Conscious Choices: Given the nature-focused ethos of India, many curly-haired individuals are opting for natural, cruelty-free products that prioritize sustainability. This has further expanded the market for organic and eco-friendly curly hair care products.
- Celebrating Diversity: Above all else, having curly hair in India is a celebration of diversity – proving that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all.
In conclusion, having curly hair in India embodies a unique experience characterized by discovering one’s individuality, challenging societal norms, and fostering self-acceptance while navigating the diverse climate and array of hair care options available.
The Bottom Line
Studies show that about 95% of all humans have straight hair. This is because the straightening chemical relaxer found in commercial hair care products, when applied regularly, may alter the natural curl pattern of people’s hair.
For a person’s hair to be naturally curly, they need a particular kind of genetics. To achieve different natural curls, a chemical-free, and organic type hair care regimen must be established for one’s locks to retain their desired natural curl pattern.
There are various benefits associated with naturally curly hair instead of straight. How one wears their locks is typically what defines them and who they are on a personal level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Oily Products Work on Curly/Wavy Hair?
Curly and wavy hair can be a bit difficult at times. Even if you have curly or wavy hair and your favorite product has worked in the past, remember that what might work for your curly/wavy hair might not work the same way on someone else’s!
Your favorite products always need to be tweaked based on your mood, what you want your hair to do, and how badly you need some curl enhancement. Every person is different, so knowing everyone is unique will help curate what works best for you. Knowing about all the new options will broaden your horizons and make your life easier.
For example, shea butter and argan oil are excellent natural ingredients for moisturizing curls and combating frizz. Also, jojoba oil may work better on curly hair than coconut oil because of its molecular structure.
Moreover, washing with conditioner only may cause buildup over time (i.e., oils from the conditioner coat hair strands with natural substances like sebum), which leads to excessive shedding.
Many say that this shedding is normal – but if you feel like your hair isn’t as healthy as it was before, then maybe consider washing your scalp with water sparingly instead of daily. Remember that this may lead to dandruff when combined with dry shampoo usage.
Does Diet Affect Your Hair Texture?
It’s pretty common. Most people have some texture to their hair, from straight to curly. Diet can affect the look of your hair depending on what you’re eating.
Eating foods high in protein and oils may make your hair straighter. And if you eat a lot of veggies and drink lots of water, your hair may become more curly as it strengthens from the vitamins and minerals in those foods. Everyone is different! So there’s no right or wrong answer!
References:
https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/learn/what-it-is-like-to-have-curly-hair-in-india
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-rare-for-an-Indian-girl-to-have-curly-hair
