Hair Texture Change: Why It Happens And How To Deal With It

Sometimes, your hair stops behaving the way you’d like it to. Perhaps your sleek tresses have grown unpredictable and frizzy, or your usual wave pattern has softened into something almost straight. These changes can feel sudden and unwelcome, but they’re rarely random. Hair texture change is part of how the body evolves and sometimes a reflection of hormones, health, age, and the environment we live in.

If your hair has quietly rewritten its own rules, don’t panic. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface is the first step to bringing it back into balance. Let’s find out what hair texture change is, why it happens, and how to deal with it:

The Shifting Biology of Hair

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Your hair’s texture is primarily determined by genetics, the shape of each follicle decides whether it grows straight, wavy, or curly – but follicles are not immune to change. Over time, hormonal fluctuations, health conditions, and other stresses in your life can alter how they function, subtly reshaping them.

Pregnancy

Hormone changes during pregnancy in particular have a profound influence. During pregnancy, rising oestrogen levels can prolong the growth phase, creating thicker, glossier hair. After birth, when those levels drop, the shedding that follows can make hair feel thinner or less vibrant and even be the culprit for postpartum hair loss. Later in life, menopause brings a new recalibration: reduced oestrogen and shifting androgens often leave hair feeling drier, finer, and less elastic. Even smaller hormonal shifts – thyroid issues, changes in contraception, or prolonged stress can cause noticeable differences in texture.

Age

Age also plays its part in hair texture changes. As we grow older, the scalp produces less sebum, the natural oil that gives hair its shine and smoothness. Keratin structures within each strand become less uniform, and the cuticle, the outer layer, roughens slightly. The result is hair that feels coarser, more brittle, or less glossy than it once did. It isn’t so much damaged as it is changed – a natural evolution that calls for a more considered routine.

Lifestyle

Because hair grows directly from the body, any internal imbalance tends to show up along the hairline first. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids can affect how keratin is produced, while long-term stress can alter the rate of growth itself. Some medications, such as antidepressants or thyroid treatments, can influence texture too.

In these cases, topical products alone will rarely solve the problem. A consultation with a GP may help identify whether an underlying issue is at play. Restoring this balance internally often helps restore the hair’s natural character externally.

For more nutrition and lifestyle tips on how to achieve healthy hair, skin and nails, you can explore our latest guide.

Treatments and Products

External factors matter as well. Chemical colouring, bleaching, straightening, or perming each alter the hair’s internal bonds. Repeated exposure leaves the structure weaker and more porous, which in turn changes how hair feels to the touch – rougher, duller, less responsive to styling. Heat styling adds to the strain, as does exposure to pollution, UV rays, and hard water.

Changes in Environment

City living, particularly in places like London, Manchester, or anywhere that has high levels of pollution, can be punishing to your locks. Minerals in the water and fine particles in the air cling to the cuticle, creating build-up that dulls shine and subtly shifts texture over time. A clarifying shampoo once or twice a month or a deep conditioning hair mask once a week can help, as can a shower filter to soften water. None of this reverses damage, but it definitely prevents it from worsening.

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The Scalp: Where Texture Begins

A conversation about hair health is never complete without mentioning the scalp. A congested or unbalanced scalp can easily throw the rest of your routine off course. Excess oil and greasy hair, dryness, or product residue can interfere with how new hair grows, sometimes even changing its diameter or pattern.

Regular cleansing and gentle exfoliation are essential, especially for those who use heavy styling products or dry shampoo. Think of it less as an indulgence and more as maintenance: the cleaner the scalp, the better the canvas for healthy growth.

Adjusting to New Hair Changes

When your hair’s texture changes, it’s tempting to fight against it and to reach for the same products and routines that worked before, hoping for familiar results. Yet hair rarely responds to force. It’s better to treat the change as a cue to adapt.

If your hair feels coarser or drier, prioritise hydration. Swap harsh shampoos for gentler cleansers and sulphate-free shampoos, as well as conditioners rich in natural oils and ingredients. If it’s lost its natural volume, lighter, protein-infused formulas can help strengthen without weighing strands down. Weekly masks also go a long way towards restoring suppleness.

Heat should become an occasional tool, not a reflex. Always use a heat protectant, even for a quick 5-minute blow-dry. When possible, let your hair air-dry and embrace its new pattern, as you may find it more flattering and manageable over time.

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Repair and Prevention 

If chemical processing or heat damage is the main culprit, rebuilding the hair’s internal bonds is key. Modern repair treatments can temporarily restore strength and elasticity. They don’t undo all damage, but they make your hair feel more like itself again.

A balanced diet supports this process from within. Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like fish or flaxseeds can help maintain scalp hydration, while biotin, iron, and zinc support healthy growth. Hydration matters too: drinking enough water each day is as vital for hair fibre integrity as it is for skin.

Finally, subtle habits that you can work into your routine like sleeping on a silk pillowcase reduces friction and prevents cuticle wear. Looser hairstyles minimise breakage. Protecting hair from excessive heat, either from styling or UV exposure, with heat protectant sprays, scarves, or hats – is just as relevant in October as it is in July.

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Learning to Work With Change

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Sometimes a change in hair texture isn’t a problem to fix, but a new phase to understand. Many people find their hair becomes wavier with age, or that curl patterns soften into something entirely different, all of which can be managed and treated in various ways and even enhanced with hair extensions. Treat it less as loss and more as evolution. Experiment with new products, new drying methods, even new cuts that flatter your current texture rather than fight it.

Conclusion:

When your hair texture changes, it can feel disorienting, even a little personal. But viewed differently, it’s a reminder that care routines should evolve as we do. Understanding what’s driving the shift, and responding with patience rather than panic, can turn a frustrating transformation into an opportunity for renewal.

Your hair’s story will never stay static. The goal isn’t to make it behave as it once did, but to help it thrive as it is now – healthier, better understood, and entirely your own.