Curly Hair: Measured Differences and Contributions to Breakage

The study on curly hair among African-American women, involving 715 survey participants and 73 qualitative observations, found that the elliptical and curlier structure of African-American hair made it more prone to breakage, especially with chemical treatments. Women who perceived hair breakage issues showed lower break stress and higher premature failure rates. Less frequent use of grooming products and appliances, and longer intervals between hair-straightening treatments, correlated with reduced breakage. The study concluded that increased curliness and hair-straightening treatments significantly contributed to hair breakage, while simpler grooming practices helped maintain hair integrity.