Guide
Asian hair vs European hair
On average, East Asian hair is thicker and straighter than European hair, rounder when seen end-on, with a thicker outer layer. European hair is on average finer and more oval when seen end-on. Heads differ a lot, so these are averages over many people.
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Why East Asian hair is typically thicker
A change of one DNA letter in a gene called EDAR is a major reason East Asian hair is typically thicker. The changed version is common among East Asians and almost absent among Europeans. It is linked to thicker hair in Southeast Asia too, in an ethnic group in Thailand and a population in Indonesia.
Same protein, different build
The protein that makes up most of each hair is built the same way in East Asian and European hair. Hair is wrapped in an outer layer of flat scales, and in East Asian hair that outer layer is typically thicker.
Different genes for straight hair
In East Asia, straight hair is linked to the same EDAR gene. In people of northern European descent, it is linked to a different gene. Each gene explains only a small part of the differences in straightness between people.
Hair varies inside every group
Many genes shape hair, and every group covers a wide range of thickness and texture. Thickness and texture can also change with age, hormones and some medication.
If damp air changes your hair
If your hair changes a lot once the air turns damp, our guide to frizzy hair in humidity has what helps.
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