I think you can increase the kink delay, as kink strength determine the "waves" going on in the hair and the kink delay is how far from the hair growth start that the waves will start happening. And since you have (think you have) max setting for the kink strength and a very low kink delay the waving will start almost instantly and therefore you get the haywire on the top.

Anyway not really that much into the hair room, but guess its worth a try  :D