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To not know how to treat sudden corkscrew curls

62 replies

Celeste123 · 05/09/2025 07:08

DS is 13.
He spent his whole life with blonde, straight, floppy hair.
Since he turned 13 it has dramatically changed in to completely different hair.
It is now dark with tight, coarse corkscrew curls right across his hairline ftom ear to ear, then curly from the crown down the back of his head, but this area has turned regular curly and is not tight corkscrew curls like the ones going from his forehead to his crown.
The curly hair from crown to back of neck is easier to handle.
But the tight corkscrew coarse curls across the front of his head are a nightmare. They grow upwards into the air! Then it gets to his crown, and the curly hair at back of his head grow downwards.
It's a mess and I don't know what to do with it.
He hates the way the corkscrew curls look "puffy" as he says.
I feel for him, as it's happened right at a stage in his life when he suddenly cares about his appearance.
He 100% does not want it shaved off, or cut short against his scalp.
It's more that we need to learn how to manage it.
He keeps grabbing DD's paddle brush (she has poker straight long hair) and brushing his hair down flat in a desperate attempt to flatten in, but that turns it in to a ball of frizz.
I'm struggling to know how to help because I've spent 12 years of his life with him having straight, floppy hair!
To give you an idea of his character, he's completely chilled out, laid back, cool as a cucumber, gentle, funny, kind, sensitive and super smiley and happy. I need to get his hair right to reflect his character.
Are there any tight curl hair experts out there who could advise me??
And does anyone know why someone's hair can totally transform in adolescence?!
And why is it 2 different types of curls - tight corkscrew at the front and curly waves at the back?
I'm finding all our shampoos are turning it in to a ball of fluff.
I bought John Frieda 'straight' shampoo & conditioner thinking it might relax or soften the corkscrew curls a bit, but it hasn't touched them.

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Celeste123 · 26/09/2025 18:01

SwallowsandAmazonians · 25/09/2025 18:20

What a great update!

Thank you!xx

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Celeste123 · 26/09/2025 18:00

Spanielears · 25/09/2025 17:15

That’s great news, I’m so glad we were able to help and your son likes his lovely new curls ! 😀

Edited

Thank you so much!😊

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SwallowsandAmazonians · 25/09/2025 18:20

What a great update!

Spanielears · 25/09/2025 17:15

That’s great news, I’m so glad we were able to help and your son likes his lovely new curls ! 😀

Celeste123 · 25/09/2025 16:17

JustFish · 25/09/2025 14:08

Lovely to hear your update, so glad that your son is feeling good about his new curls

Thank you!😊

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JustFish · 25/09/2025 14:08

Lovely to hear your update, so glad that your son is feeling good about his new curls

Celeste123 · 25/09/2025 12:12

Just wanted to update and say a big thanks to all the helpful replies!
We are now using a co-shampoo.
I did not not even know this product existed!
It's an absolute game changer. This product has stopped DS having a big ball of fluff on his head. We have now abandoned all regular shampoos. I was buying high end expensive shampoos for curly hair, plus frizz control shampoos, spent a fortune, and not one of them worked to stop his hair going frizzy and fluffy after washing it. But co-shampoo does the job amazingly. Before this thread, I had never heard of co-shampoo.
Then we now use a lightweight leave-in conditioner. Not too much. Just enough to coat the hair without weighing it down. This is working so much better than a regular wash out conditioner. Again, I tried a whole range of expensive super hydrating conditioners. None worked as well as our new leave-in.
Once semi-dry, we now add a curl creme rubbed in through his hair.
Finally, I took him to a salon where the hairdresser spent ages cutting in to the curls to re-shape his style, but didn't actually cut the length itself. She talked about how much she loves cutting curly hair because there's a different technique involved.
His hair now looks absolutely lovely. He has a head full of gentle, calm, defined curls. His new curls really suit him and I'm biased of course but IMO he looks gorgeous!
So pleased to see all the frizz and puffiness gone.
I had got to the point where I didn't know how to deal with his hair, so thank you to everyone who gave great advice!
DS is so happy, he loves it now, and he has been getting compliments on his hair from other boys in his year. Funnily enough the compliments are from boys who have dead straight hair (the type of hair DS was previously yearning for!).

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mamagogo1 · 08/09/2025 21:50

I use leave in conditioner on my hair, just was as normal then put a little leave in conditioner through it, scrunch and leave it, spraying it with curl spray once it’s part dry.

Coffeeisnecessary · 08/09/2025 21:50

He'll be the envy of all his friends soon, perms are definitely the in thing with teen boys! Good luck with all the curly methods/products!

Florencearbuthnot2 · 08/09/2025 21:43

Same here. Curly until 13 then poker straight till the menopause now I’ve got curly,wavy and straight hair. This thread has been so helpful about managing a totally new head of hair.

Cherrysoup · 08/09/2025 21:42

Soak hair, towel round to leach off the major water (don’t rub!) put on a lot of decent conditioner, brush with a wide brush, leave to dry naturally.

No idea how his hair has changed so dramatically?

Spanielears · 08/09/2025 21:40

It’s so strange how it changes for some people isn’t it? Personally I can’t use a comb or brush on mine when it’s dry, because it’s too painful and I can’t get a brush through it. I love my hair too, we all need to embrace our natural look!

Snippit · 08/09/2025 21:36

Spanielears · 05/09/2025 08:28

Hi, I have curly hair and agree that one of the best things to do is find a curly hair / Afro hair specialist who will know how to cut it properly - and they will teach your son how to care for it properly. it’s surprising how many high street hairdressers don’t know! The key is to make sure that you wash the hair first and then use a good conditioner which will make sure it detangles properly, rinse it out and then put gel on it while it is still soaking wet - the wetter the better. You can even apply the gel in the shower / bath. Use any gel, the 50p / £1 ones are fine. Then use one of these combs ( will attach pic) or a Bounce Curl Brush (game changer!) to make sure all tangles are out. Then either let it dry naturally or blow dry it with a diffuser, by putting your head upside down and putting each section of hair actually in the diffuser at a time. Move the diffuser regularly to stop the hair getting too hot.

curly hair can get really dry so you often need to ‘hydrate’ it with a good conditioner about once a week, in addition to the conditioner used when washing it. I either use pure coconut oil (which will change from solid to liquid in the pot depending on room temp) or Camille Rose Algae Renew conditioner (both found in the curly / Afro aisle in Superdrug etc). I wash the conditioners / coconut oil off but some people leave them in - it’s personal preference.VO5 hot oil is also really good, put the vial in the bath to heat it up, then apply to the whole head , leave it for a bit, then rinse.

I hope it goes well and your son embraces it - encourage to experiment with a few different looks because how you dry it - upside down , naturally, diffused will affect the final look. Sometimes it will look different from day to day even if you do the same thing - but just go with the flow, that’s the joy of curly hair! Hope this helps x

I’m menopausal and my hair has completely changed. It used to be very straight with no bend whatsoever, now it is wavier with bend, especially the back, I actually like it.

I don’t use normal brushes apart from the blow dry, I always use an Afro comb when it’s dry, otherwise it goes fluffy.

buffyfaithfredwesley · 08/09/2025 21:25

If you’re near Manchester I recommend Hairking Callum, he’s fantastic. His Instagram is helpful too

Spanielears · 08/09/2025 21:22

Thank you Celeste, I’m on the mend! I’m glad to be of help and hope your son enjoys creating his new look 😀

Celeste123 · 08/09/2025 20:00

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied with advice, tips and products😍
Right, I feel fully armed now to get DS rocking his new hair!
Thank you all!🙏

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Celeste123 · 08/09/2025 19:58

Thank you so much @Spanielears this is so helpful of you! Thank you for explaining and advising.
Must admit I did smile at the thought of teenage DS wearing a silk bonett in bed! 😂
We're not near London unfortunately, but thank you for the offer.
I hope you get better soon!

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Spanielears · 08/09/2025 15:31

Also different curl patterns are normal, I have two types of curl in my hair. If you need a recommendation for an excellent curly / Afro hairdresser and you’re near London, let me know. 😀

Spanielears · 08/09/2025 15:22

And I’ve found this gel to be the best, but any gel (cheap ones are fine) will work

To not know how to treat sudden corkscrew curls
Spanielears · 08/09/2025 15:21

Sorry about not giving more advice, I’ve been unwell with flu! The crème will make the hair softer when it dries, the gel can go crunchy. It’s called a cast, when it’s dry , scrunch it up and that will get rid of the crunchiness. Another thing your son can do to help (but it might be a bit difficult cos he’s a boy and might resist 😀) is to use a silk bonnet or pillow to sleep on. This will help keep the curls in place for longer, like this one. You can get them on Amazon quite cheaply.

To not know how to treat sudden corkscrew curls
SwallowsandAmazonians · 07/09/2025 19:10

Oh yes that's another thing, dry with a t-shirt not a rough towel.

Itsallsostressful · 07/09/2025 18:20

Look for a hairdresser in your area who specialises in curly cuts. Not only will they cut his hair really well but they will advise about products and methods that he can use. T shirt or micro fibre towel for drying are great !

GreyAreas · 07/09/2025 18:11

Dry with a t shirt not a towel

party4you · 06/09/2025 11:14

Celeste123 · 05/09/2025 07:13

Yes we went to 2 different barbers for help - they both advised grade 1 clippers all over. DS resolutely refused.

Erm what barbers are you going to?! 🤣 go to a proper one, preferably one that specialises in curls… bit of common sense would prevail here.

Celeste123 · 05/09/2025 22:28

This is all amazing advice and exactly what I was hoping to find! Thank you so much everyone!
No sulphates, no silicone, style when wet only, no brushing, gel needs scrunching once dried to get rid of the crunch, recommended hair products, curl cremes, oils, even con washes - I never knew any of this!!!
I feel so much better equipped now! Thank you truly!!
I'd love to post a photo of his hair but DS doesn't want me to, so I won't.

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