Renowned Scientist Sets the Record Straight on Curly Hair Care

Curly Hair Book by Dr. Ali Syed

Curly Hair: Structure, Properties and Care is a learner-friendly guide that provides a science-based perspective on all types of curly hair along with other issues such as hair loss, hair growth and any and all scalp-related issues — and it has the scientific research of Dr. Ali Syed behind it. Developed by the renowned expert in hair care formulation, this book is a one-stop shop for all your hair-based questions and comparisons between curly, wavy, and straight hair with explanations of its structure and how to best care for your specific hair type.

Here, Dr. Syed himself sits down to talk about the decades of research that went into this reader-friendly guide for all things curly hair, and what he hopes readers can learn from his book to help them better understand their own hair texture.

Q: Tell us a little about your storied career. What drew you to the study of hair care formulation?

A: I started in the cosmetic industry as a manufacturing chemist for a year in 1972. A year later I started product development as a chemist formulating hair, skin, color cosmetics and perfumes. A year after that, I started to specialize in textured and curly hair because there were not many formulators present in that space. Since then, I have worked on textured hair until present day.

In 1984, after about 10 years working for a multinational company, I founded Avlon. The Avlon brands became international brands available in 60 different countries. In the mid 2000s consumers with curly hair started to ask for natural hair products; products made with natural ingredients for curly hair. So, in 2010 we formulated a brand called As I Am, marketed to consumers which has now become an international brand available in almost 60 countries. 

 Q: What first drove you to write this book?

A: I extensively lectured hair stylists beginning in 1985, while selling Avlon brands to hair stylists. Fortunately, my style of explaining the chemistry of hair became acceptable to many hair stylists. They were able to understand the chemistry of hair and the products used for curly and textured hair. The experience of lecturing to hair stylists became the foundation for my book. Many hair stylists were always asking me if I had a book on the information I was teaching them. So, I finally decided to put all the information I had been offering to hair stylists into The Curly Hair Book.

 Q: How much of this book is scientific detail of curly hair, and how much is practical advice?

A: The book first sets up the basic science of curly hair and its properties in comparison to straight hair. This study then highlights the needs of the curly hair and the products needed to address those specific needs.

Q: Besides simply people with curly hair, do you have a target audience for this book?

A: My book is actually a comparative study of all textures of hair — straight hair, wavy hair and curly hair. Hair stylists can decipher the information for all different textures of hair by reading my book.

Q: What’s something that people may not realize about curly hair?

A: The first thing people may not realize is the structural differences of curly hair compared to straight and wavy hair. They also may not realize the differences in elasticity, strength, moisture and curvature of the hair which dictates the type of products needed for each hair type.

Q: What do you hope readers learn from your book?

A: I hope people can benefit from the easy-to-read inner intricacies of the hair structure and its properties. Also, the information about the scalp and hair loss, and that the maintenance of the hair depends on the type of shampoos, conditioners and styling products that will provide maximum moisture to the hair, and strengthen the hair, and maintain the style of hair against humidity and pollution.

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