Can a Haircut Make You Lose Your Curls?

Quite often we receive questions in the Curly Q&A section about hair changing and it is not always from chemicals or heat usage. We have mothers asking if cutting a baby’s hair will change the hair texture and questions from our Type 2 wavy-haired readers wondering if a haircut will change their curl pattern.

What makes hair texture change?

Hair changes throughout our lives. In fact, our hair changes from every 5 to 7 years, according to Christo of the Christo Fifth Avenue Salon and creator of the Curlisto line of hair products. As we grow and our bodies change, we can also see a change in our hair texture. Why this happens is still a mystery to science but we do know hormones are somehow related to this phenomenon. This is why a toddler can be seen with adorable ringlets and end up with straight hair when puberty hits. Other attributes for hair texture changes are diet, hormones, illnesses, and medication.

Hair changes occurring from chemicals are altogether different, and that can be chemicals from straightening treatments to permanent color, but chemicals can cause change more than the texture like hair loss, thinning, or damage to the scalp. So, does a haircut get added to the list of why hair texture can change?

Can simply getting a haircut change one’s hair texture?

The short answer is no, but for an explanation on what some Type 2 wavies may be experiencing I enlisted the help of American Board Certified Haircolorist and hairstylist Monaé Everett.

Monaé states: “While a haircut cannot change your hair texture it certainly can help make your curl pattern more apparent. If you have a looser curl pattern (2-3a“> and a very short or tapered style, the strand may be snipped before the strand begins to loop into a curl. This can make the curl appear looser. On the contrary, the weight of a long hair cut stretch curls and make them appear looser. A proper haircut can reduce the unwanted bulk (volume/poof”> of curly hair as well. Those with medium to coily hair textures will notice a tighter curl appearance with shorter haircuts (from 2-12 inches in length”>.”

It is all about perception when it comes to a haircut and our curls. While stress, medications, chemicals or hormones may alter your curls, a haircut will not. If you cut at a peculiar spot, one’s curls may appear to change but it is a temporary issue that will return to normal once the hair has grown back. Whether it’s the weight of one’s hair or the reduction in volume from the shears, cutting your hair changes the shape, size, and bulk but it does not change the texture.