Knowing your Hair texture

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