Curl Science by Curl Centric
Every week, we take one piece of hair advice you've probably heard and check it against the research. Each episode takes about six minutes, and by the end you'll know what it means for your hair and what to try next.
Researched and written by Curl Centric. Read by an AI voice. RSS feed
What you'll hear
If you've ever wondered why your hair isn't growing, whether rice water works, or why your hair keeps breaking no matter what you do, this show is for you. Each episode takes one question and follows it back to the studies behind it.
We tell you what the researchers tested, who was in the study, and what the results mean for your hair. Then we tell you what to try, how long to give it, and what to look for on your next wash day.
It covers every curl type, from 2A waves to 4C coils, so you'll hear which numbers come from which hair and which ones apply to yours.
Episodes
Is Protein Overload Real?
If your curls feel stiff after a protein treatment, protein is one possible reason, but buildup, dryness, and damage can feel similar. We'll explain what protein treatments do to your hair, whether protein overload is a scientifically defined condition, and how to tell what your hair may need without breaking a single strand.
What Does Low or High Porosity Hair Actually Need?
High porosity often reflects damage that has built up over time, and low porosity usually doesn't. We explain what the two mean, how to tell where your hair may sit, and what each one really needs.
Do You Need a Clarifying Shampoo?
If your curls feel coated or look dull, buildup may be why. We'll explain what a clarifying shampoo does, how often to use it, what hard water has to do with it, and when it can leave your hair feeling worse.
How Often Should You Wash Curly Hair?
Curly and coily hair can usually go longer between washes than straight hair, but your scalp can't wait forever. We explain both sides and how to find a wash schedule that works for your hair.
What Does Your Hair Type Actually Tell You?
The 1A to 4C chart started with a stylist's book, not a lab. We explain how to read it, what it can't tell you about your hair, and what to check instead when you choose products.
How Do You Get Rid of Dandruff?
Dandruff isn't just a dry scalp, and the oil you add may be feeding it. We explain what causes it, how to use a dandruff shampoo when you only wash once a week, and when flakes need a doctor instead.
Does Biotin Really Help Hair Grow?
Biotin helps your hair when you're actually low in it, and that's rare. We go through what the research tested, what's in the bottle, and why high doses can throw off your blood tests.
Does Castor Oil Make Hair Grow?
We followed the castor oil claim back to where it started. Then we tell you what castor oil has actually been shown to do for your hair.
Does Rosemary Oil Really Grow Hair?
The main study behind rosemary oil was done on 100 men with pattern hair loss, and it never measured length. We explain what it can and can't tell you about your hair.
Why Does My Hair Keep Breaking?
Curly hair is not weak hair. We go through what dermatologists found when they looked for a weakness, and the everyday habits that cause most breakage.
Does Rice Water Really Help Hair Grow?
The rice extract researchers tested is not the rice water in your jar. We explain the difference, and show you how to test rice water on your own hair over eight weeks.
Does the Hair Porosity Float Test Work?
A strand in a glass of water can't tell you your porosity. We explain why, and what your wash day can tell you instead.
How Fast Does Hair Grow?
Half an inch a month is one of two answers from the same study. We walk you through both numbers, whose hair each one came from, and what they mean for your length.
How we make each episode
Curl Science is made by Kenneth and Kira Byrd, who have run Curl Centric together since 2008.
Every episode starts as research for a Curl Centric guide. We read the studies, write the script, and check every number against its source before the episode is recorded.
The voice you hear is an AI voice. It lets us put out a new episode every week. The research and the writing are ours, and each episode's show notes link to the full guide, where every source is listed.
Questions about the show
How long are the episodes?
Most episodes run five to seven minutes. That's long enough to explain one question properly, and short enough to finish while your deep conditioner sits.
How often do new episodes come out?
A new episode comes out every week. Follow the show in your podcast app, and each new episode will show up on its own.
Is the show free?
Yes. Every episode is free in every podcast app, and so is every guide it links to.
Where can I read the research behind an episode?
Each episode has a full guide here on Curl Centric. It links every study we mention, and many of our guides come with a free printable.
Follow the show so you never miss an episode
New episodes show up in your app every week, free.