Not all curls are desirable, especially those unruly and unnatural curls at your ends. Why does my hair curl at the end? Unfortunately, there is not a single answer to this question, from genetics, hormonal changes to haircuts or styles, and many more.
Let’s examine why your ends behave abnormally to give you that disheveled look and how to fix the problem.
See also: How to Know If Your Hair is Damaged?
Why Does My Hair Curl At The End?
Weight And Length Of The Hair
Weight
One of the root causes of your curled ends is the weight of the strands themselves.
Your ends are the oldest section of your mane, and through wear and tear, they are thinner and more lightweight than the root and mid-length parts. This uneven weight distribution makes the ends more susceptible to curling and lifting.
Length
Length is another reason that leads to bents and curls at your tips, especially for those with straight hair.
When your strands reach your shoulder or grow to the length they have to rest on, they brush over your shoulder. Flips and curls are bound to happen, as a consequence!
Hairstyles
Since there are different hair types, choosing the wrong hairstyles can also lead to bent or flicked ends.
While straight hair is known for not holding waves and curls as well as any other type, it’s not uncommon for straight-haired individuals to experience curled ends.
Shoulder-length, face-framing hairstyles always make their ends more susceptible to curling. It is because when your shoulder line is perpendicular to your strands, the ends will brush over your shoulder and curl outwards.
Meanwhile, layers should be the go-to hairstyles for wavy, curly, and coily hairs.
If your hair falls in any of these types and is almost one length, the curls will concentrate at the ends while the roots become flat. Layers will define and shape your hair and also add more volume.
Genetics
Genes can determine your hair shape and texture. They are not the root cause of your curled ends but play a role in the keratin structure and thus, contribute to the final shape of your strands.
Stress
Stress takes a toll on your health, skin, body, sleep, and much more.
If you’re under stress, you likely experience varying damaged hair conditions, from as minor as curling ends to as severe as hair thinning and loss.
Hormonal Changes & Pregnancy
Hormonal Changes
If your body goes through hormonal changes or imbalance, it can manifest via your tresses. Common hormonal imbalances are thyroid issues, iron, Vitamin D, and B12 deficiencies.
Your hair might become considerably thinner, grow at a slower rate, and start shredding, which is everybody’s worst nightmare. You might also notice your ends seem to do their own things, such as bending, curling, and flicking out.
Pregnancy
Women’s bodies undergo major changes during the nine months of pregnancy. Besides the noticeable weight gain, expanding belly, pregnancy-related physical changes encompass hair conditions.
During the pregnancy, your strands, from root to tip, are affected in texture, hair growth, and more. So, it won’t come as a surprise if your ends won’t behave when you’re pregnant.
The good news is these changes are not permanent, so you can wait until after birth if the problem of curled ends is solved by itself before resorting to other solutions.
Food & Diet
Healthy food, vitamins, and minerals provide your mane the nutrients it needs to look bouncy and fabulous.
A drastic change in diet can deprive your strands of the desired nourishment, which can weaken your hair shafts, cause split ends, and render your ends less cooperative with you.
Climate
Dry
Moisture lacking and split ends are the two common issues for those living in dry climates. As mentioned, dry, damaged split ends are the main reason why your ends can curl unyieldingly.
Humid
It is scientifically proven that humid climates can make your strands more prone to curling. Under the effects of humidity, hydrogen bonds will form between the water molecules and your hair proteins.
Hence, humidity can make straight hair become wavy and curly hair even curlier. In addition, this climate type can make all types of hair more prone to frizz.
Season
Another often overlooked underlying cause of curling ends is seasonal changes.
A switch from dry season to a windier or more humid can easily turn your ends to behave abnormally. Human hair, after all, is equally subjected to environmental factors, just like your body or skin.
That’s to say, if you live in a place that doesn’t see many seasonal changes all year round, your ends are less likely to bend, curl, or flick out than those living in areas with varying seasons and climates.
Haircut & Hair Styling
It’s no secret that heat styling, bleaching, and coloring can wreak havoc on your hair strands.
Exposing your strands to heat, especially when you’re not doing correctly, can make them drier and more brittle. It also leads to more split ends and makes your ends take on their own shape.
In the same vein, bleaching or dying with box dye improperly, either you’re resorting to an inexperienced stylist or taking matters into your hands, can eventually make your hair curly and bend uncontrollably.
See also: Can You Use Heat on Hair with Hair Spray?
Hair Care Products
It can be the way you take care of your hair from the outside that causes flicked-out and curled ends. For example, you might be treating your wavy hair like straight hair and use products marketed for straight hair.
Or else, the shampoo, conditioner, or leave-in might be too heavy for your waves and, thereby, weigh them down.
Whatever it is, if you’re caring for your strands with the wrong products, problems like bent, curled ends are more likely to happen.
Related:
- What’s The Difference Between Straight Shampoo And Curly Shampoo?
- The 10+ Best Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly Hair
- Are Shampoo Bars Good For Curly Hair?
How Do I Stop My Hair From Curling At The Ends?
Haircut
The immediate solution to this problem is to get a haircut. For one thing, if you’ve got shoulder-length hair, cut a few inches so that the strands won’t touch the shoulder line and curl.
Another reason is that a haircut will give your head a new lease of life: you’ll be free from coarse, dry, damaged split ends – which are prone to curling and bending.
Haircare
Blow Dry Your Hair On Low Heat Or Let It Dry Naturally
If you have strong and healthy hair, you will be at a lower risk of developing curled ends. To that end, it is advisable to blow dry your strands on low heat settings, or even better, allow them to dry on their own.
And don’t use the blow dryer for sopping wet hair! You need to get your strands as close to 80 percent before using the hairdryer.
You also should let your tresses completely dry before styling them with a curl or flat iron. While you’re at it, low temperature is always your hair’s best friend to minimize heat exposure damages.
Use Intensive Moisturizing And Protective Products
Moisturizing products are the mantra of dry, brittle, and bent ends. Whether you often heat style your strands or live in drier parts of the world, a weekly hair mask on your ravaged, dry hair can provide it with much-needed moisture.
Similarly, use a deep conditioner and leave-in conditioner to give a dose of moisture to your strands and protect them from damage. They are particularly useful if you have dry, bent, frizzy hair.
(Read more: Can You Use Leave-in Conditioner Without Washing Your Hair?)
Before using hot tools for your hair, it pays to apply a heat-protectant product generously to safeguard your mane. Also, a heat protectant is incredibly useful to protect your strands from UV damage.
It’s worth noting that most heat protectant stylers work best with tresses that are at least 50% dried. You may want to squeeze dry your hair first before applying.
Thus, if you plan to spend quite a while under the sun, get your strands thoroughly coated with heat-protectant to minimize the damages.
Use Silk Pillows
The cult-favorite silk pillowcases are your hair’s best friend during the nights. They reduce friction between hair and pillows to preserve the style and prevent tangles, breakage, and damages to your hair, from roots to ends.
These pillowcases also won’t steal moisture from your strands as much as their cotton counterparts, so your hair is less likely to dry out the next morning.
Divide And Wrap Hair
Styling with heat tools has a bad rap, and if you want to avoid it, you can try wrapping your hair. While the execution might vary depending on the texture and length, hair wrapping has a basic principle.
You will need to pin the crown section and divide your mane into small sections before combing each section in the same direction. Then, continue to bring each section around the head.
Finish by releasing the crown section and wrapping it around in the same direction. Secure the “wrap” with clips or roller pints and use a turban if you’re going to sleep.
Use A Heat Protection Spray
If you’re in a rush, a heated hair straightener is your first choice. Just don’t forget to use a heat protection spray so that your strands are better protected from the heat.
Related: Can You Use Hairspray as a Heat Protectant?
Get Advice From Professional Hair Stylists
When in doubt, you can seek help from trusted, professional hairstylists.
They will know the best hairstyle that combats your dry, curled end and give care advice and beauty product recommendations that work especially for your hair type and texture.
Conclusion
From genetic conditions to change in diets, there are so many answers to the question: Why does my hair curl at the end?
However, we hope that you can now pinpoint the main culprit with this article and the process of elimination.
Keeping a check on your hair health is key to preventing and fixing curled ends. If you want, give your tresses a fresh cut to get rid of them and also restore your strands.
Read more: Care tips and Perfect Hairstyles for each Hair Type
