Style

Uncombable Hair Syndrome Is A Thing That Actually Exists & It Sounds Like A Nightmare

by Eliza Florendo
shilahmadison/Instagram

You know at the end of the day, when you take your ponytail out, and your hair just hurts? It's temporary — for most. But according to The Daily Mail, Uncombable Hair Syndrome is actually a real life thing, and it sounds, well, extremely uncomfortable. Though its extremely rare, it actually affects about 100 people worldwide.

Shilah Calvert Yin, a seven-year-old girl living in Melbourne is one of that 100. Declared an actual condition by the National Institutes of Health, Uncombable Hair Syndrome actually develops in young kids — it's hair that is "silvery, blond, or straw-colored scalp hair that is dry, frizzy, and wiry, has a characteristic sheen, stands away from the scalp in multiple directions, and is impossible to comb," according to the National Institutes of Health.

But she doesn't seem to mind — Yin told The Daily Mail that she loves her locks, since it separates her from the rest.

According to Science Magazine, scientists have narrowed down the three genes that cause this syndrome of "frizzy pale hair" that's apparently impossible to comb flat. To diagnose the condition, "hairs are split in half and placed under a high-powered scanning electron microscope. Straight hair appears round, curly hair appears oblique, but uncombable hair is triangular or heart-shaped at the cross section and grooved from root to end," says Science Magazine.

Her parents started sharing their family's story in April, and has since posted several photos showing what living with uncombable hair syndrome is like.

Straightening brush or not, she looks pretty adorable.

When you've got a smile this cute, it's hard to notice anything else.

Sister and brother — but with totally different hair.

If you're trying to get scientific here, the three genes are PADI3, TGM3, and TCHH. When one of these malfunctions, the "structure and stability of the hair is affected," according to Science Magazine.

Here's a piece of good news, though: After time, the hard-to-handle hair actually gets easier to manage. While this condition develops in childhood, usually between infancy and age three, according to the National Institute of Health, it can show up as late as 12 years old.

By adolescence, though, Uncombable Hair Syndrome tends to calm down.

If your hair seems almost uncombable, you are probably in need of some major detanglers. Here are some to help get that brush through your mane.

Sephora

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil, $71, sephora.com

This baby smoothes, regenerates, and manages frizz, all in a pretty tub.

Amazon

TRESemmé Expert Selection Hydrating Mask, Botanique Nourish and Replenish, $4.74, amazon.com

At under $5, this hair mask is cost-effective, too.

Amazon

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry and Damaged Hair, $12.30, amazon.com

This is a #1 Best-Seller on Amazon, and with nearly 4,000 reviews, this oil mask won't disappoint.

Ulta

It's a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin, $20.58, ulta.com

Plus Keratin. Double whammy with this one.

JCPenney

Redken All Soft Mega Mask Mask, $17.40, jcpenney.com

This magic formula has a mask and extender to provide benefits that last three washes.

Uncombable hair: a real pain to deal with. Uncombable Hair Syndrome: an actual pain to deal with on the daily. So the next time you're having a bad hair day, remember — at least it's not every day.