Does Vitamin C Deficiency Cause Curly Hair? Unpacking the Link Between Scurvy and Hair Texture

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

While genetic factors primarily determine a person's natural hair texture, a severe deficiency in vitamin C can, in fact, cause hair to grow in a bent, coiled, or "corkscrew" shape due to impaired protein structure. This pathological change, a hallmark of the condition known as scurvy, is a significant departure from the healthy, natural curl determined by genetics.

Quick Summary

Severe vitamin C deficiency can cause hair to grow in a bent or coiled shape due to defective protein synthesis, a symptom known as corkscrew hair. This is a distinct health issue from genetically determined curly hair.

Key Points

Scurvy Causes Corkscrew Hair: Severe vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, which can cause hair to grow in a bent, coiled, or corkscrew shape due to defective protein structure.
Genetic vs. Deficiency-Induced Curl: Corkscrew hair from deficiency is a sign of underlying illness, unlike healthy, natural curly hair which is determined by genetics and the shape of the hair follicle.
Collagen is Crucial for Hair: Vitamin C is essential for producing collagen, a protein that supports hair follicles and the structural integrity of hair strands.
Other Symptoms of Deficiency: The corkscrew hair of scurvy is often accompanied by other signs, such as follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular bleeding, and easy bruising.
Reversible Condition: Unlike genetic curls, the texture changes caused by vitamin C deficiency can be reversed with proper dietary intake and treatment.
Balanced Diet is Key: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is crucial to prevent deficiency, as the body cannot produce its own vitamin C.

The Critical Role of Vitamin C in Hair Health

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for many bodily functions, including skin and hair health. Unlike many animals, humans cannot produce their own vitamin C and must obtain it through their diet. This nutrient is a vital cofactor in the synthesis of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, which forms the structural framework for skin, blood vessels, and the hair follicle itself. Without adequate vitamin C, collagen production is compromised, leading to a cascade of problems that affect the integrity of hair.

For hair, this means that the structural support for the follicle is weakened, and the hair shaft itself can become brittle and fragile. The weakening of the follicle's structural matrix can disrupt the hair's natural growth pattern, leading to the distinctive changes seen in severe deficiency.

The 'Corkscrew' Hair of Scurvy

One of the most characteristic signs of advanced vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, is the development of hair with a bent or coiled appearance, often described as "corkscrew" or "swan-neck" hair. This is not a change in a person's underlying genetic hair texture but a sign of structural damage occurring at the follicular level. As new hair grows, the weakened collagen matrix surrounding the follicle leads to a defective and deformed hair shaft. These damaged hairs are also more fragile and likely to break off or fall out prematurely.

Another related symptom is follicular hyperkeratosis, where hair follicles become clogged with keratin, appearing as small, red bumps on the skin. In scurvy, these follicles are also often surrounded by tiny hemorrhages, a condition known as perifollicular hemorrhage, due to weakened blood vessels. The combination of these symptoms serves as a critical diagnostic clue for severe vitamin C deficiency.

Genetic vs. Nutritional Hair Curl: A Clear Distinction

It is important to differentiate between natural, genetic curly hair and the corkscrew hair caused by a nutritional deficit. The two have entirely different origins.

Genetic Curly Hair: This is determined by the shape of the hair follicle. An asymmetrical, or oval-shaped, hair follicle produces hair that grows in a curved or helical path, resulting in naturally curly hair. This is a normal, healthy variant of hair texture passed down through genes.
Deficiency-Induced Curly Hair: This is a symptom of a systemic disease (scurvy) caused by compromised collagen synthesis. The hair shaft is not healthy but structurally unsound, leading to brittleness and breakage in addition to the coiled appearance.

This distinction is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. A person with natural curls does not have a vitamin C deficiency, while a person whose straight hair suddenly develops a corkscrew pattern should consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Other Nutrient Deficiencies and Hair Texture Changes

While vitamin C deficiency has a specific impact, other nutritional shortfalls can also affect hair health and appearance. A balanced diet is critical for providing the nutrients that support the hair growth cycle and protein synthesis.

Iron Deficiency: Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to hair follicles. Deficiency can lead to hair loss and cause hair to become dry, brittle, and dull.
Protein Deficiency: Since hair is primarily composed of the protein keratin, inadequate protein intake can cause hair to become weak, brittle, and lead to thinning.
Zinc Deficiency: Zinc is vital for hair tissue growth and repair. A lack of zinc can result in hair thinning, loss, and dry scalp.

The Importance of a Balanced Diet

Preventing vitamin C deficiency and other nutritional issues requires a diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods. Eating a well-balanced diet ensures a sufficient supply of vitamin C and other micronutrients that support robust hair growth.

Excellent sources of Vitamin C include:

Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit)
Berries (strawberries, blueberries)
Kiwi fruit
Bell peppers
Broccoli and cauliflower
Tomatoes
Spinach and other dark, leafy greens

Including these foods in your daily nutrition plan is the most effective way to ensure you're getting enough vitamin C. For those with special dietary needs or absorption issues, consultation with a healthcare provider can determine if supplementation is necessary.

Nutritional Hair Problems vs. Genetic Hair


Characteristic	Genetic Curly Hair	Vitamin C Deficiency Hair
Underlying Cause	Asymmetrical hair follicle shape	Impaired collagen synthesis due to nutrient lack
Appearance	Healthy, resilient curls/waves	Bent, coiled, or fragile corkscrew shape
Reversibility	Not reversible; permanent genetic trait	Reversible with adequate vitamin C intake
Other Symptoms	No other related symptoms	Follicular hyperkeratosis, bleeding gums, fatigue, anemia
Texture	Varies widely, but healthy hair is generally strong	Brittle, fragile, and prone to breakage

Conclusion

While the sight of naturally curly hair is a sign of good genetic fortune, the sudden development of corkscrew hair is a potential red flag signaling a serious vitamin C deficiency. The underlying mechanism involves the impairment of collagen synthesis, a crucial protein for healthy hair follicle structure. This causes the hair shaft to grow in a damaged, coiled pattern. Addressing this and other nutritional issues through a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is essential for both reversing such hair abnormalities and promoting overall hair health. Anyone experiencing unusual changes in their hair's texture or other symptoms of scurvy should seek medical advice promptly to confirm the cause and begin proper treatment. For further reading, consult resources on the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency Source: Healthline.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

A severe and prolonged deficiency of vitamin C can cause a specific type of hair growth called corkscrew hair, which is bent or coiled. This is not the same as natural curly hair and is a symptom of the disease scurvy, not a mild nutrient deficiency.

Corkscrew hair from scurvy is caused by structural damage and is often brittle, fragile, and accompanied by other symptoms like bleeding gums and small red skin bumps around hair follicles. Natural curly hair is healthy and resilient, determined by genetics.

If you notice a sudden, unexplained change in your hair texture, especially if it becomes more brittle or coiled, you should consult a doctor. While other factors could be at play, it is essential to rule out a severe nutritional deficiency.

Vitamin C is necessary for the body to synthesize collagen, a protein that forms the structure of hair strands and supports the hair follicles. A lack of vitamin C impairs collagen production, leading to weaker hair and potential breakage.

Besides corkscrew hair, a vitamin C deficiency can also lead to increased hair breakage, dryness, and in severe cases, hair loss. It also impairs iron absorption, another key nutrient for hair health.

Yes. Once the vitamin C deficiency is corrected and normal collagen production resumes, the damaged hair shafts will eventually be replaced by healthy new hair. The process may take several months, as hair growth is a slow cycle.

No. The shape of your hair is genetically determined. Taking extra vitamin C will not change your natural hair texture. It only affects hair health in cases of severe deficiency.

Yes, deficiencies in nutrients like iron, protein, and zinc can also cause hair to become brittle, weak, and more prone to breakage or thinning.