Can Black People Have Straight Hair - How to Straighten African Hair

Africans often leave a deep impression on people with their curly hair, but do all Africans have curly hair, and can black people have straight hair? Today we’ll focus on this topic, and also discuss the reasons and ways of straightening the hair of black person, whether for men or women.  

Can Black People Have Straight Hair?

Even though curly hair is the most common texture in people of African descent, black people can have straight hair due to congenital and acquired reasons. 

Can black people be born with straight hair? Yes. Genetics allow for different hair textures within any race, including straight hair. Environmental factors like heat protection may lead to tight curls to dominate in Africa, but straight hair does naturally occur there for some individuals. East African ethnic groups like Ethiopians, Somalis, and Eritreans more commonly show natural variation in hair texture, including straight patterns. Studies show approximately 10% of black people carry a genetic variant associated with straight hair. This variant is more common in other ethnic groups but can appear in people of African descent. Mixed ancestry, genetic mutations, or conditions affecting hair follicles could in rare cases produce straight hair in people of full African lineage. African Americans have tightly curled or coiled hair, but there are still some Africans with naturally straight hair, especially East Africans. Around 1-2% of the black population is estimated to have naturally straight hair.  

Why do Africans have curly hair? The curly hair texture among Africans appears to be genetic, as it is consistently passed down and occurs universally within African populations. The size and shape of hair follicles determines hair texture. Follicles that are more oval or ribbon-like in shape cause curlier hair to grow. African hair follicles are nearly flat or ribbon-like in shape. This results in the tight coils that are very common among people of African ancestry. The tight coils cause the hair strands to become drier as sebum oils cannot spread evenly along the hair. 

Can black people straighten their hair? Yes, curly hair can be straightened in some different ways, heat is one of the easiest and fastest ways. 

Why Do African Americans Straighten Their Hair?

- Historical and cultural influences: For much of US history, straight hair was promoted as the beauty standard and assimilated Black people to Eurocentric norms. Tightly coiled natural hair was viewed negatively. some Black women straightened their hair to fit the conventional beauty standards of the time. Pop culture greatly influenced what was deemed attractive too. Most Black celebrities straightened their hair on TV/films from the 60s-80s due to lack of representation otherwise. 

- Ease of maintenance: Straighter hair is often perceived as easier to style and maintain compared to natural, tightly coiled hair.

- Versatility: Straightening hair allows for a wider range of hairstyles and looks, which some people find appealing.

- Societal expectations and norms: In some professional or social settings, straight hair may be perceived as more polished or professional" due to lingering biases.

- Personal preference: Some individuals simply prefer the look and feel of straightened hair.

How to Straighten African Hair?

- Hair Relaxer/Texturizer: This method involves applying a chemical formula to break and reform disulfide bonds in order to straighten the hair structure. It takes 1-3 hours and must be done regularly as new growth appears curly. 

- Chemical Hair Straightening: this longer treatment (2-4 hours) breaks bonds further to create smoother, silkier hair that lasts 3-6 months as it grows.

- Thermal Relaxing: Flat irons, curling rods, and hair dryers help smoothen the cuticle using heat and tension. It requires professional-level skill to do correctly and carefully without breakage. 

- Protective Styling: Braid or twist extensions, wigs, weaves, and crochet styles allow hair to be stretched and worn straight for 1-4 weeks while the natural texture underneath remains unprocessed and protected from heat/tools.

- Natural Therapies: Products with Argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter, etc. help tame frizz and add slip when combed. Air drying in braids/twists and then unraveling provides looser curls and waves, low tension helps prevent damage.

- Balanced Regimen: Proper shampooing, deep conditioning, trims and methods tailored to hair porosity/density are best. Too much direct manipulation with chemicals, and heat tools risks compromising hair health in the long run through breakage and other issues. Regular trims are recommended.