Do your perfect spiral curls or beach waves turn stick straight shortly after styling? Learn why this annoying phenomenon happens and how to make freshly curled hair last longer.
We’ve all been there – you spend ample time creating the perfect bouncy curls or loose waves only to have them fall flat and straight within hours. Several factors cause hair to go poker straight again after curling. Read on to understand the science behind this hairdressing heartbreak.
Why Curled Hair Goes Straight
There are a few key reasons those fresh curls refuse to stick around:
Moisture Loss Hair is most pliable and shapeable when damp and warm. As curled hair’s moisture evaporates over time, hydrogen bonds reform to relax the strands, causing it to go straight again. Humidity speeds up moisture loss.
Hair Porosity
How easily hair absorbs and retains moisture impacts how long a curled style sticks. Those with porous, damage-prone hair tend to see their curls fall fastest as the hair cuticle quickly dries out and loses hold of curl shapes.
Poorly-rinsed Hair
Conditioners contain hydrating ingredients and slip agents like silicones and oils that help nourish and soften hair. But leaving too much behind leads to buildup.
This residue coating causes curls and waves to loosening their grip almost instantly and go straight again. The leftover oils and silicones essentially grease up the hair, allowing styled texture to slide right out.
Additionally, conditioner leftover seals the cuticle closed. This prevents styling products applied later from absorbing properly to keep curls set firmly in place.
For Bouncy Curls that Last Thoroughly and properly rinsing out conditioner prevents residue buildup from ruining your luscious curls. Focus the shower spray directly on lengths while combing through and pay extra attention to the nape area. Going forward, your bouncy spirals will last for days, not minutes !
Insufficient Product Use
Skimping on products like mousse or hairspray when curling leaves hair unprotected from environmental factors that cause moisture loss and style slippage.
Tips to Make Curled Hair Last Longer You put work into those curls and waves – make them last with these pro stylist tips:
Load Hair With Styling Products
Applying moisturizing creams or oils before heating tools boosts hair’s water content so curls retain moisture longer. Follow with ample mousse, gel, or spray when styling to set curls in place and provide humidity protection.
Many shampoos, conditioners, masks and other hair products contain waxes, oils, and silicones that help nourish, smooth, and protect hair. But not rinsing thoroughly leaves behind a film that weights hair down.
This residue coating causes slippage so textured curls and waves loosen their grip and relax. Think of greasing up your hands then trying to grasp something – it just slides right out!
Product leftover also seals the cuticle, blocking styling products applied afterward from penetrating the hair properly when curling. This leads to lackluster hold.
For bounce that lasts, shampoo twice focusing on the roots and lengths to remove residue. Use a clarifying wash weekly. And before grabbing your curling iron, spritz hair with vinegar water to clear any leftover coatings so styles set properly. Now that’s how you make curls last!
Choose the Right Curling Tool
Curling wands and irons that don’t clamp hair in place lead to quicker moisture loss and looser curl holds. Opt for clipless curling rods or Marcel irons instead.
Let Curls Cool Completely
It’s tempting to touch those perfect curls immediately. But allowing them several minutes to cool and set avoids disturbance and preserves the shape better.
Use Low Heat If Possible
Excessive high heat from curling irons and wands essentially “cooks” the moisture right out of your hair as you style. This leads to crisp, temporary curls that quickly relax and straighten out again once cooled.
Not only does moisture rapidly evaporate, but overly hot tools damage hair over time. This makes hair less receptive to holding curled shapes.
Conversely, not cranking up the heat enough fails to effectively rearrange and set the hair bonds in a curled pattern. Hair reverts to its natural shape – stick straight.
For long-lasting curls that stay bouncy for days, pay attention to temperature guidelines for your hair type. Set hot tools no higher than 350-400°F if possible. This allows just enough heat to bend and mold hair without excessive moisture stripping for curled styles that stick.
Final Words
Understanding why your luscious locks go straight helps prevent it. With some tweaks to your curl routine and aftercare, you can enjoy those textured styles for days instead of hours. Embrace the science of styling!
Introduction Lush curls and waves seem to fall flat and straight again shortly after curling for many. Several factors cause this styling frustration, from incorrect product use to hair type challenges. Certain tips help preserve beautiful spiral curls and bouncy waves longer.
Why Freshly Curled Hair Goes Straight Losing moisture, having porous locks, insufficient product use, and other issues lead to disappointing curl fallout.