Medical Reason for Hair Losing Curl

The medical community is starting to better understand why some people experience a change in hair texture---curly hair goes straight and vice versa. Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia recently discovered a gene dictating curly hair. The discovery opens doors to developing treatments for changes in hair texture, among other things.

Hormones

• Hormones can change hair texture.

  Hormonal changes---such as those in pregnancy---can trigger a change in hair texture: from curly to straight, from thick to thin, from shiny to dull, from smooth to coarse. An increase in some hormones can trigger changes to coarser, thicker hair, while other hormones can make hair thinner, more fine and straight.

Thyroid

• Common symptoms in people suffering from an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) are hair loss or changes in hair texture. After treatment for the imbalance starts, continued changes could be caused by the medication used to manage the disease.

Medical help

• Medicine can contribute to a change hair texture.

  Hair loss and changes in hair texture are side effects of some medications (such as Synthroid for thyroid treatment) and chemotherapy.

Diet and nutrition

• Vitamins and minerals may change hair texture.

  Hair texture can be influenced by vitamin and mineral intake.

  Some vitamins and minerals---such as those in the B-vitamin family, magnesium, zinc and biotin---as well as fatty acids---such as flaxseed oil and salmon oil---have been shown to promote hair growth and texture changes.

  Others, such as ingesting high amounts of vitamin A, can negatively effect hair texture and promote hair loss.

See an expert

• A medical expert can offer a proper diagnosis for hair-related changes.

  If you suspect changes in hair texture, thickness or density, see a doctor for a thorough exam and proper diagnosis.