Why Does Only the Top Layer of My Hair Curl?

Does it seem like you have one hair type on the top layer and another on the bottom? You’re not the only one. Having curly hair on the top and straight hair on the bottom is something that many wonder about. And there could be a few culprits behind this. We’ll cover them in this article. 

It’s Your Genetics

Believe it or not, you can have multiple hair types. You may have curls only in the front, sides, top, back - any texture combo. What’s more is that you could experience genetic changes at literally any point in your life. Just because you weren’t born with this issue doesn’t mean it’s not genetic. But if your hair has always been like this, the chances of this being a genetic issue are very high.

If it is indeed a genetics-related issue, there’s nothing you can do about it. You’d be best off making peace with your two textures and moving on.

The Bottom Layer of Your Hair Is Damaged

When only the top layer of your hair curls, it could be that the bottom layer is damaged. If you subconsciously use more heat on the bottom than the top, the heat could alter that hair’s structure and cause it to straighten out more than the top. 

There’s no way to reverse heat-damaged hair. So, if this is the culprit behind your texture differences, you’ll need to either wait for the heat-damaged portion to grow out or cut it off. You’ll then enjoy a more uniform texture throughout your head. 

You Style the Top Differently

Do you normally scrunch your hair to bring out your curls? If you focus more on the top of your hair than the bottom, those strands at the top will curl more than the bottom, creating your issue. To fix it, give your hair a very even scrunching while wet. That way, you’ll get a more even textural result.

You Have Buildup on the Bottom of Your Hair

Some of us tend to pay more attention to the crown of our heads during wash day, neglecting the bottom layer in the process. When that happens, residue from your shampoo, conditioner, and styling products remain on that lower layer of your hair, inhibiting your normal curl pattern. This one is super easy to fix; simply deep clean your hair (all of it) with a clarifying shampoo and pay more attention to the bottom layer on your wash days.

So, there you have it - why only the top layer of your hair curls. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to check out Daily Dose Deep Conditioner and Leave-in Conditioner, both of which are jam-packed with high-quality natural ingredients poised to make a difference on all hair types. With just one dose of these products, you’ll notice a real difference in your hair! Check them out here! We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best with your hair.

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.