GITNUXREPORT 2025

Curly Hair Statistics

Curly hair is common, fragile, moisture-dependent, and increasingly popular worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age at which individuals with curly hair start experimenting with different styling techniques is around 12-14 years old

Statistic 2

Approximately 25% of curly-haired individuals wear their natural curls most of the time, preferring minimal styling

Statistic 3

The average humidity level that can cause frizz in curly hair is above 60%, according to hairstyling studies

Statistic 4

Approximately 65% of the world’s population has naturally curly or wavy hair

Statistic 5

Curly hair makes up about 20-30% of the hair types in the global population

Statistic 6

70% of women with curly hair report spending more time styling their hair daily compared to women with straight hair

Statistic 7

Curly hair tends to be thicker and more voluminous than straight hair, per about 60% of individuals with curls

Statistic 8

Curly hair accounts for approximately 10-15% of all hair loss cases among women, often exacerbated by styling practices

Statistic 9

The average diameter of individual human hair strands is 0.017 to 0.18 mm, with curly hair often falling at the thinner end

Statistic 10

People with curly hair are 2 times more likely to consult professional stylists for regular care compared to straight hair owners

Statistic 11

The amount of natural curl pattern can vary within the same individual, with some curls being loose while others are tight, per 55% of curl pattern surveys

Statistic 12

The average stand of curly hair grows about 0.4-0.5 mm per day, slightly slower than straight hair, due to hair follicle differences

Statistic 13

70% of women with curly hair feel that their curls are misunderstood or underrepresented in mainstream beauty campaigns, according to surveys

Statistic 14

Research indicates that curly hair tends to be more fragile and prone to breakage compared to straight hair

Statistic 15

On average, people with curly hair wash their hair less frequently than those with straight hair, about 2-3 times a week

Statistic 16

The natural oils produced by the scalp take longer to travel down the twists and turns of curly hair, leading to dryness

Statistic 17

Curly hair is 50% more likely to be dry due to its structure, which makes it harder for natural oils to evenly distribute

Statistic 18

Nearly 80% of people with curly hair have experienced hair damage due to improper care or excessive heat styling

Statistic 19

Curly hair tends to have a higher porosity level than straight hair, which influences moisture retention

Statistic 20

35% of black women with curly hair wash their hair once a week or less, due to the hair's natural dryness

Statistic 21

40% of individuals with curly hair have experimented with chemical treatments like relaxers or keratin straightening, which can weaken hair over time

Statistic 22

Curly hair can be up to 30% more prone to tangling than straight hair, requiring specialized detangling techniques

Statistic 23

Proper hydration and moisturizing products can reduce frizz for curly hair by approximately 40%, based on recent hair care research

Statistic 24

Curly hair has a higher likelihood (about 40%) of developing scalp conditions like dandruff, especially in dry climates

Statistic 25

The average frequency of hair trimming for maintaining healthy curly hair is every 8-12 weeks, more often than for straight hair

Statistic 26

The global market for curly hair products is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2025

Statistic 27

About 68% of women with curly hair are dissatisfied with their natural curl pattern and seek styling methods to alter it

Statistic 28

50% of women with curly hair have difficulty finding suitable hair products tailored for their curl pattern, leading to increased custom product use

Statistic 29

Between 2010-2020, the sales of curly hair-specific products grew by an average of 15% annually, highlighting a rising demand

Statistic 30

About 45% of women with curly hair use sulfate-free shampoos, compared to 20% of women with straight hair

Statistic 31

The majority of people with curly hair prefer to use lightweight styling products to avoid weighing down their curls

Statistic 32

Approximately 55% of curly-haired individuals use leave-in conditioners regularly to manage frizz

Statistic 33

The use of silicon-based styling products for curly hair has increased by 25% in the last five years, aiming to reduce frizz

Statistic 34

30% of curly-haired individuals use specialized deep-conditioning treatments regularly, compared to 20% of straight-haired individuals

Statistic 35

Over 60% of people with curly hair report using at least three different styling products daily to maintain their curl pattern

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Key Highlights

Approximately 65% of the world’s population has naturally curly or wavy hair
Curly hair makes up about 20-30% of the hair types in the global population
Research indicates that curly hair tends to be more fragile and prone to breakage compared to straight hair
On average, people with curly hair wash their hair less frequently than those with straight hair, about 2-3 times a week
The natural oils produced by the scalp take longer to travel down the twists and turns of curly hair, leading to dryness
Curly hair is 50% more likely to be dry due to its structure, which makes it harder for natural oils to evenly distribute
About 45% of women with curly hair use sulfate-free shampoos, compared to 20% of women with straight hair
The global market for curly hair products is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2025
70% of women with curly hair report spending more time styling their hair daily compared to women with straight hair
The majority of people with curly hair prefer to use lightweight styling products to avoid weighing down their curls
Curly hair tends to be thicker and more voluminous than straight hair, per about 60% of individuals with curls
Nearly 80% of people with curly hair have experienced hair damage due to improper care or excessive heat styling
Approximately 55% of curly-haired individuals use leave-in conditioners regularly to manage frizz

Did you know that over 65% of the world’s population naturally sport curly or wavy hair, yet nearly half of those with curls remain dissatisfied with their texture—highlighting a vibrant yet misunderstood segment of beauty that commands a booming $5 billion global market.

Demographics

The average age at which individuals with curly hair start experimenting with different styling techniques is around 12-14 years old
Approximately 25% of curly-haired individuals wear their natural curls most of the time, preferring minimal styling

Demographics Interpretation

As teenagers twirl into their own identity, those with curly hair often begin experimenting between 12 and 14, yet a confident quarter embrace their natural coils daily, proving that sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate style statement.

Environmental Factors and Challenges

The average humidity level that can cause frizz in curly hair is above 60%, according to hairstyling studies

Environmental Factors and Challenges Interpretation

When humidity climbs past 60%, even the most disciplined curls surrender to frizz, turning a humid day into a natural hair rebellion.

Hair Characteristics and Demographics

Approximately 65% of the world’s population has naturally curly or wavy hair
Curly hair makes up about 20-30% of the hair types in the global population
70% of women with curly hair report spending more time styling their hair daily compared to women with straight hair
Curly hair tends to be thicker and more voluminous than straight hair, per about 60% of individuals with curls
Curly hair accounts for approximately 10-15% of all hair loss cases among women, often exacerbated by styling practices
The average diameter of individual human hair strands is 0.017 to 0.18 mm, with curly hair often falling at the thinner end
People with curly hair are 2 times more likely to consult professional stylists for regular care compared to straight hair owners
The amount of natural curl pattern can vary within the same individual, with some curls being loose while others are tight, per 55% of curl pattern surveys
The average stand of curly hair grows about 0.4-0.5 mm per day, slightly slower than straight hair, due to hair follicle differences
70% of women with curly hair feel that their curls are misunderstood or underrepresented in mainstream beauty campaigns, according to surveys

Hair Characteristics and Demographics Interpretation

While nearly two-thirds of the world sports naturally curly or wavy hair, the fact that women with curls spend more time styling and often feel underrepresented in beauty narratives underscores that beneath the charming "knot" lies a complex, often overlooked beauty challenge.

Hair Health and Maintenance

Research indicates that curly hair tends to be more fragile and prone to breakage compared to straight hair
On average, people with curly hair wash their hair less frequently than those with straight hair, about 2-3 times a week
The natural oils produced by the scalp take longer to travel down the twists and turns of curly hair, leading to dryness
Curly hair is 50% more likely to be dry due to its structure, which makes it harder for natural oils to evenly distribute
Nearly 80% of people with curly hair have experienced hair damage due to improper care or excessive heat styling
Curly hair tends to have a higher porosity level than straight hair, which influences moisture retention
35% of black women with curly hair wash their hair once a week or less, due to the hair's natural dryness
40% of individuals with curly hair have experimented with chemical treatments like relaxers or keratin straightening, which can weaken hair over time
Curly hair can be up to 30% more prone to tangling than straight hair, requiring specialized detangling techniques
Proper hydration and moisturizing products can reduce frizz for curly hair by approximately 40%, based on recent hair care research
Curly hair has a higher likelihood (about 40%) of developing scalp conditions like dandruff, especially in dry climates
The average frequency of hair trimming for maintaining healthy curly hair is every 8-12 weeks, more often than for straight hair

Hair Health and Maintenance Interpretation

While the natural twists and turns of curly hair lend it unique beauty and character, their inherent fragility, dryness, and higher porosity underscore that loving curly locks demands more than just admiration—it's a nuanced commitment to hydration, gentle care, and mindful styling to keep these naturally rebellious strands thriving.

Market Size and Consumer Behavior

The global market for curly hair products is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2025
About 68% of women with curly hair are dissatisfied with their natural curl pattern and seek styling methods to alter it
50% of women with curly hair have difficulty finding suitable hair products tailored for their curl pattern, leading to increased custom product use
Between 2010-2020, the sales of curly hair-specific products grew by an average of 15% annually, highlighting a rising demand

Market Size and Consumer Behavior Interpretation

As the curly hair market surges past $5 billion, it becomes clear that, despite a 68% dissatisfaction rate and product struggles for women with curls, the rising sales reflect both a growing obsession with perfection and an untapped opportunity for truly tailored solutions.

Product Usage and Preferences

About 45% of women with curly hair use sulfate-free shampoos, compared to 20% of women with straight hair
The majority of people with curly hair prefer to use lightweight styling products to avoid weighing down their curls
Approximately 55% of curly-haired individuals use leave-in conditioners regularly to manage frizz
The use of silicon-based styling products for curly hair has increased by 25% in the last five years, aiming to reduce frizz
30% of curly-haired individuals use specialized deep-conditioning treatments regularly, compared to 20% of straight-haired individuals
Over 60% of people with curly hair report using at least three different styling products daily to maintain their curl pattern

Product Usage and Preferences Interpretation

With nearly half of women with curly hair opting for sulfate-free shampoos, a majority relying on multiple products to tame their tresses, and a 25% rise in silicone-based styling aid, it's clear that curly-haired individuals are not just embracing their coils—they're curating a complex, high-maintenance beauty routine that rivals a professional salon's arsenal.