Are Babies Born with Curly Hair?

As a new parent, you probably find yourself wondering what your baby’s hair will look like as they grow. Will they have straight locks or beautiful natural curls? The texture and appearance of a baby’s hair is often hard to determine right away. While some babies are born with a head full of curly hair, others show no signs of curls until months or years later.

There are a variety of factors that influence whether a baby is born with curly hair or develops curls over time. Genetics, hair follicle shape, climate, and hair care practices all play a role. Keep reading to learn more about how curly hair develops in babies.

Can Babies Be Born with Curly Hair?

Yes, it is absolutely possible for babies to be born with naturally curly hair. The likelihood of being born with curls depends on:

• Genetic predisposition – If one or both parents have curly hair themselves, their baby is more likely to as well. The curly hair gene is a dominant trait.

• Hair follicle shape – Curly hair grows out of oval-shaped follicles, while straight hair comes from round follicles. Follicle shape is determined genetically.

• Ethnicity – Babies of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent are more likely to have curly hair at birth than Caucasian babies.

• Hair volume – Babies born with a head full of hair often have curls because the weight of so much hair encourages curling.

While genetics play a key role, a baby can still be born with straight hair even if both parents have curly locks. Or a baby with straight-haired parents may emerge with a head of curls. Let’s look closer at some of the key factors that determine whether a baby is born with curly hair.

The Impact of Genetics on Curly Hair

Genetics and inherited traits passed down from parents heavily influence a baby’s hair texture and pattern. Each parent passes down 23 chromosomes that are combined to create the baby’s genetic code. The genes contained in these chromosomes determine details like hair color, texture, growth rate, etc.

When it comes to hair curl, the curly hair gene is considered dominant over the straight hair gene. This means if one parent contributes a curly hair gene, the baby is more likely to be born with curly hair, even if the other parent has straight hair.

However, two parents with straight hair can still have a baby with curly hair. This is because the parents could carry some hidden or recessive genes for curly hair inherited from their own parents or grandparents. These recessive genes may show up down the line.

Hair Follicle Shape Matters

The shape of the hair follicles also gives clues about whether a baby will have curly hair. Curly hair grows out of oval or elliptical-shaped follicles. Straight hair emerges from round follicles.

Follicle shape is determined by genetics, so babies who inherit more oval-shaped follicles will be prone to curly hair, while round follicles lead to straighter hair. The shape can be seen under a microscope, but genes ultimately decide the curvature.

Ethnic Background Influences Hair Texture

Genetics, and a baby’s ethnic heritage in particular, can increase the chances of being born with textured, curly hair. Here are some examples:

• African – Babies of African descent often have tight, coily curls or kinky hair at birth. The shape of the hair shaft naturally exhibits curl.

• Hispanic/Latin – Many Hispanic or Latin babies are born with loose spiral curls or wavy hair.

• Asian – Asian babies tend to have straight, silky hair, but some may have a wave or slight curl, especially if parents have curlier hair.

• Caucasian – Caucasian babies usually have straight or wavy hair, but not overly curly. Curls may develop later.

Of course, ethnicity does not guarantee hair texture. The combination of genes from both parents ultimately determines if a baby is born with straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Volume of Hair Matters Too

Babies born with a full head of hair right away tend to have curly or wavy hair. The weight of all that hair encourages the strands to curl up. This is why babies who are nearly bald at birth usually reveal straight hair as it starts to grow in. The curls have less weight to influence their pattern.

Some babies lose the hair they are born with over the first months. Then the new hair that replaces it may change texture based on genetics.

Signs Your Newborn Could Develop Curly Hair

While some babies show off luscious curly locks from day one, others take months or years for their natural curl pattern to emerge. There are some signs to