Why Does Hair Become Curly After a Shower?

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So your hair is nice and straight, but then you get out of the shower, and… it’s curly. It can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you don’t want your hair to be curly!

Why does hair become curly after a shower?

Your hair curls after a shower because of the interaction with hot water and your hair. It can be great if you want curls, but annoying if you don’t!

We’ll explain it all below, and give some tips on how to avoid post-shower curls!


Contents

Why Does Hair Become Curly After a Shower?

The best way to explain this is that your hair reflects the shape of molecules that make it up. This is because the hydrogen bonds that hold them together are weaker. Heat can only break the strong bonds (such as with perms).

When water comes into contact with hydrogen bonds, its shape changes temporarily. The fact that the hair goes curly when wet comes from the different types of molecules you have and how they react when wet.

The fact that the hair goes curly when wet comes from the different types of molecules you have and how they react when wet.

How interesting!

When you dry your hair, your curls disappear! 


How Can I Stop The Curl From Forming?

After reading the previous explanation, you have now learned that wet hair curls very easily. Wearing a hair cap would ensure that your hair will not get wet.

When you dry your hair, it will return to its original shape. Unfortunately, hair patterns are genetic, and you have no choice but to live with them or nuke them with chemicals!

This shouldn’t be seen as a negative! On the contrary, getting out of the shower with a little curl can look fantastic, so it may be best to go ahead and embrace it.

You can reduce curl by doing the following things:

1. Cold Water

Low-temperature hair washing is very beneficial to your hair. The cold water helps seal hair follicles. Therefore, curly hair is prevented when you come out of the shower.

The shower doesn’t have to be completely ice cold to be effective! After a hot shower, simply rinsing with cool to cold water is sufficient. Also, your hair will be less damaged if you tie it up while taking a shower.

2. Conditioning Shampoo

It is sometimes possible for shampoos to dry out and frizz up your hair. Choosing the right shampoo is therefore important. 

Conditioning shampoos help untangle hair and realign hair fibers. The best thing you can do to prevent frizzy hair is to treat your hair in this way when it is still wet. But don’t use a regular conditioner in place of a leave-in conditioner.

3. Learn to Properly Towel-Dry Your Hair

There is a chance that your towel technique contributes to your frizzy, curly hair. This is because some towels and intense rubbing can roughen your cuticles. 

There is a chance that your towel technique contributes to your frizzy, curly hair. This is because some towels and intense rubbing can roughen your cuticles. 

The problem can be solved using a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel to gently towel dry your hair.

In addition to being softer on your hair, the cotton shirt and microfiber towel are made from the softest material. So your hair won’t be frizzy and curly too much after you shower.

4. Get Rid of Your Brush

Bristle brushes can make that curl more intense after a shower.

These can ruffle the cuticle of the hair strand. In return, you are going to get a curly, wild mess. Switch to a wide-tooth comb instead to detangle your hair after your shower.


What Should You Use To Wash Curly Hair?

What matters most is the type of curly hair shampoo you use, regardless of your hair type or curl pattern. To ensure strong, healthy hair and keep breakage at bay, sulfate-free shampoo is essential. It will thoroughly clean your hair and scalp without removing the natural oils needed to prevent breakage. Choosing the right sulfate-free formula depends on the current condition of your hair.

Almond Milk Sulfate-Free Shampoo  is a moisturizing formula perfect for thicker curls or strands prone to drying out. 

Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Sulfate Free Shampoo with Almond Milk, Aloe Butter and Shea Oil for Extremely Damaged Hair, 12 fl oz
  • Almond Milk Shampoo: This beautifully...
  • For Damaged Hair: Carol's Daughter...
  • Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner are...
  • Carol's Daughter Curly Hair Products:...
  • Made With Love: Carol's Daughter was...

Cactus Rose Water Sulfate-Free Shampoo  is designed to be light and volumizing. It works well on wavy, fine, or well-hydrated curls. If you do not lean either way and have a hair type that is more in the middle, look for a frizz-fighting shampoo. It is best to go for one that is neither too heavy nor too light.

Carol's Daughter Cactus Rose Water Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner Set For Fine Hair, Dry Hair, Flat Hair, with Cactus Flower Extract, Rose Water, and Biotin, Paraben Free
  • Volumizing Set: Our gentle Cactus Rose...
  • Add Moisture And Body: Use Carol's...
  • Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner are...
  • Carol's Daughter Curly Hair Products:...
  • Made With Love: Carol's Daughter was...

The packets will tell you what type of hair the product should be used on so you can find the right one.


How Often Should You Wash Your Hair When It’s Prone to Curling?

Washing frequency is not a precise science. Several factors determine it. Before you choose how often to wash your hair, make sure you take into account how much product you’re regularly applying. Then, you can follow these general guidelines to help you decide.

Weekly

Wash your hair once a week if your hair requires more oil, gels that flake after a few days, or hairspray that stiffens your hair. Additionally, if your scalp is oily, this may be what you need.

Adding product to the naturally occurring oils in your scalp, especially in excess, may clog the hair follicles and cause irritation. This can lead to hair loss and damage.

Bi-Weekly

If you have dry hair or dry scalp, slow down your shampoo cadence. Wash your hair once every couple of weeks. It is probably best for you to shampoo once a month.

If you have dry hair or dry scalp, slow down your shampoo cadence. Wash your hair once every couple of weeks. It is probably best for you to shampoo once a month.

The interval between washings can be adjusted if you feel itchy or sweat a lot. You may find that weekly shampoos work better for you if you lead an active lifestyle.

A few general guidelines can be helpful. When you have dirty hair, product buildup, itchy scalp, exercise (in which case you can co-wash), swim, or if your scalp is overly oily, wash your hair.

Buy the right products for your hair type, and don’t wash with very hot water. These should all tame that curl when you get out of the shower.


Conclusion 

There are people out there that are dying for luscious curls. So embrace yours and be proud! If you want to lessen the curl and tame the frizz, follow the tips above. Try them all, and you might see a difference in the texture and the curl of your hair.

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).