Your hair type can be difficult to identify. Your lovely head could have a variety of textures, which is very natural. If you believe you are aware of your hair type, why can’t you always locate products that will suit it? You might not be as aware of your hair type as you thought. Knowing your hair type can significantly impact how effectively your daily hair care routine works, much as knowing your skin type is essential for following a skincare plan. However, identifying your true hair type may be more difficult. A hair type chart is useful in this situation.
Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Coily are the four types of hair. Wide (type A), Medium (type B), and Small/Compact (type C) are the three classifications. Each person’s hair type is assigned a letter and a number. Experts know that hair talk might be perplexing; sometimes, hairstylists speak in their dialect. With the help of this blog and related content, you may understand your hair better and communicate with your hairdresser.
Why is hair type important?
Your hair’s curl pattern is the main factor in determining your hair type. Your hair follicle controls how curly your hair will be. Your follicle’s form determines if your hair is:
- Straight
- Wavy
- Curly
- Coily
Your hair will be curlier if your follicle is much more asymmetrical or oval. Genetics determines your hair type and color. Although you can alter hair curl patterns with chemicals, heat, hormones, or prescription medications, DNA determines your fundamental curl pattern. These hereditary traits are reinforced each time the hair goes through its development cycle.
Type 1: Straight hair
Who doesn’t enjoy a good poof? Straight hair can be silky and thin or thick and poofy. However, they all have one feature: your strands can readily glide oil from the scalp down their lengths, keeping them hydrated. But may also experience “greasiness”; therefore, it’s important to keep the scalp balanced and clean.
Straight hair generally has a lustrous appearance. It is so that natural oils may more easily move up and down the strands due to the straight shafts.
Type 1A: This hair is exceptionally straight. Not even a curl will stay on it! The least common hair type is 1A. Usually, people of Asian heritage have it.
Type 1B: It’s the most typical hair type. Although it is flat and straight, it has some volume.
Type 1C: This hair is straight, thick, and coarse. It naturally frizzes and gives a tousled appearance.
Find your hair type
No matter how curled, this hair type maintains its straightness. The majority of the time, it is flat from roots to tips. It has a delicate, silky, and incredibly sparkly texture. There are no curls on it. People with straight hair frequently have fine hair. This naturally straight hair type exhibits a high level of oil secretion in addition to being silky.
Hair that straight frequently gets flat and greasy. It is better to stay away from thick serums and butter. Overwashing your hair can increase the amount of oil your scalp produces. For those with straight hair, texture sprays and dry shampoos are the safest options.
Type 2: Wavy Hair
Contains subtle to prominent natural waves, which might be confused for curly strands. Once wet, curly hair is normally straight; once it dries, it gets wavy. The hair’s inability to make twists or swirls which wrap around each other distinguishes it from curly hair. Employ your style brands gently and use a gentle touch to make sure that the wavy hair is nourished and with the right volume to move freely.
In contrast to coily or curly hair, wavy strands can be fine, coarse, or somewhere in between, and they can be bent.
Type 2A: It’s the “barely there” wave hair type. It is advised to steer clear of using heavy-style products when this is your hair type. It is simple to straighten and might weigh down if you use thick products.
Type 2B: The waves are substantially denser. Near the skull, the hair takes on S-shaped waves but is often flat towards the crown.
Type 2C: It’s the waviest of them all. These waves are substantial, rough, and well-defined. The wave has a large volume since it starts at the base. You should frequently hydrate this type of hair using a leave-in conditioner and attempt to prevent heat because it is prone to frizzing.
Type 3: Curly Hair
Hairstyles with curls that resemble corkscrews and springs fall under this category. When hair is damp, curls look like waves; yet, once they dry, they start to resemble three-dimensional swirls. Each strand of hair with this kind may be unique.
Search for products specially made to enhance curls and tame frizz. This group includes the most frequent coily and wavy hair and various hair types(fine, thick, or medium).
Type 3A: S-shaped curls develop loose loops in the hair of type 3A. The curls’ circumference is slightly larger than the wide end of a taper candle. One crucial styling point: Brushing this kind of hair might ruin the definition of the curls and result in a curly mane.
The Curl Whisperer, a Miami salon focused on hair types 3 and 4, was founded by professional stylist Silvana Castillo, who also offers advice on hairstyles and products that emphasize natural curl. Her best piece of advice? Put the ponytail away.
It’s acceptable if you are en route to the gymnasium or if it is necessary for your job, according to Castillo. But the curls lose their definition when you tie your hair into a ponytail. Additionally, you will begin to see weakening and hair loss along your hairline if you continue to pull the hair back into a bun or ponytail. Due to the ponytail’s weight pulling against the hair’s front for extended periods, hair loss occurs.
Type 3B: The diameter of type 3B curls is comparable to the width of a Sharpie marker’s barrel. Curls have a lot of volume and sprout from the roots. These ringlets typically require moisture to preserve their distinctive spiral shape.
However, stay away from silicone and sulfates in your curling products. They may temporarily control frizz, but over time they might dry your hair and cause breakage.
Type 3C: The curls would ideally coil around a drinking straw because they are tight and bouncy. Take a hands-on approach to maintain the definition in these corkscrew curls.
Employ a leave-in conditioner and rake the fingertips through damp hair rather than combing, which can cause breakage and frizz. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against using a blow dryer after drying off.
Type 4: Coily Hair
These curls can also be tightly coiled into an S shape, or they can be tightly wound into a straight, zigzag pattern. Additionally, it can merge the two shapes. When you have these type 4 curls, pay attention to them while the hair is still wet and dried since they may compress when dry.
Type 4A: Coily hair of type 4A needs a lot of moisturizing because it is a sensitive hair type. In addition to oils, think of deep conditioners, creams, and butter. Never wear braids that are too tight.
Use hydrating conditioners and shampoos and softly pat the hair dry and avoid overpressing it too hard to reduce harm. This hair type will also receive additional nourishment from hair oils and creams to maintain your ringlets’ gentleness and protect them from moisture.
Type 4B: It has zigzag curls. Shedding is a common method for highlighting and shaping your curls. Wet hair is the first step in shingling. Use your fingertips to softly untangle the hair while liberally applying a leave-in conditioner to hydrate and condition it. Following that, split your hair into 4 segments.
4B curls are most vulnerable while wet, so prepare the hair thoroughly before styling. Use a nourishing leave-in conditioner rich in plant oils which is made for coily and densely structured strands. It can be used on either dry or damp hair. Working along the length of every curl, work curling gel or cream, wrapping the strands around your index finger as you move.
Type 4C: The curls on this hair are quite small and delicate. Use shea butter creams, oils, and deep conditioners to maintain the hair threads well moisturized.
Do not brush your hair forcefully.
Take away
The way that hair curls determine the type of hair you have. There are many variations on the basic hair types of straight, wavy, curly, and coily. The secret to having healthy hair is knowing your hair type! Your hair type can be identified using factors including hair diameter, greasiness, porosity, density, elasticity, and pattern.
You will learn to address the appropriate hair issues as you understand your hair type better. Additionally, being aware of your hair type enables you to select the appropriate serums, shampoos, brushes, and masks for your hair. Now you may create a hair care regimen that will improve and nourish your hair type. Your hair requires more moisturizing the more they curl. Talk to your hairdresser for advice on the best products and hairstyles for your hair type.
