KNOWING YOUR HAIR
·
Type 4 is kinky, or
very tightly curled, with a clearly visible curl pattern
·
Circumference: Crochet
needle or even smaller
·
The hair is very wiry,
very tightly coiled and very, very fragile
·
Type 4 hair can range
from fine/thin to wiry/coarse with lots and lots of strands densely packed
together
·
Type 4 hairs has fewer
cuticle layers than any other hair type, which means that it has less natural
protection from the damage you inflict by combing, brushing, curling,
blow-drying and straightening it
·
Type 4 hair is known
to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length
There are two
Type 4 subtypes:
·
•4b: Has a “Z”
pattern, less of a defined curl pattern. Instead of curling or coiling, the
hair bends in sharp angles like the letter “Z”; has a cotton-like feel
·
4a: Tightly coiled
hair that, when stretched, has an “S” pattern, much like curly hair. It tends
to have more moisture than 4b; has a definite curl pattern
Tips
• Use styling creams, butters and
oils for type 4 hair
• This hair type needs extra
moisture and tender-loving care because it can be fragile
• Detangle hair with a lot of
conditioner in your hair and use a comb or detangling brush
• Let hair air dry or use a hood
dryer
• Do not use a brush or comb on
your dry curls
• Reduce tangles by sleeping on a
satin pillowcase or wrap hair in a satin cap
Type 3c – Curly Kinky Hair
Subtype 3c is really more than a subtype. It’s a type Naturally
Curly members developed because the original system left out this hair type,
which falls between 3b and 4a, having its own special characteristics.
• Type 3c hair has tight curls in corkscrews
• Circumference: Pencil or straw
• The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled,
with lots and lots of strands densely packed together
• Getting this type of hair to blow dry straight is more
challenging than for 3a or 3b, but it usually can be done
• The very tight curls are usually fine in texture
Tips
• Use styling creams, butters and oils for type 3c hair
• This hair type needs extra moisture and tender-loving
care because it can be fragile
• Detangle hair with a lot of conditioner in your hair and
use a comb or detangling brush
• Do not use a brush or comb on your dry curls
• Reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrap
hair in a satin cap
Type 3 – Curly Hair
• There is a definite loopy “S” pattern
• Curls are well-defined and springy
• Type 3 hair has a lot of body; it is easily styled in its
natural state or straightened with a blow-dryer
• It isn’t coarse, like many believe, but soft and very
fine—there’s just a lot of it
• Combinations of Type 3a and 3b curls are common
