You might wonder what hair type is your one. Well, it is really crucial to know your hair type in order to take care of hair as different types demand different hair care. Today we will go into every detail about hair typing and its care. Irrespective of what your hair type really is, we will let you know what to do to care your hair to perfection.
Different types of hair based curl pattern
This hair typing system was introduced by Andrew walker in 1990 for his own hair care product line. Since it became widely popular and adopted all over the world. This hair typing system is all about defining how curly your hair is? Based on the curl pattern, hair can be classified into 4 major styles as below.
- Straight hair
- Wavy hair
- Curly hair
- Coily hair
Straight hair type 1
1A type hair is straight hair with no sign of curl. It is extremely soft and shiny. This type is not thick at all instead it is thin and fine. This hair type naturally looks shiny but the problem with this type of hair is it gets oily and dirty quickly.
Type 1A has a natural oil in the scalp and it can easily reach the hair strands and top of the hair. So no need to use extra oil on the scalp. This type of need to wash regularly once every 3 days is recommended. May use conditioner or styling products in the hair strands avoiding the scalp. Better to avoid using more products may use them once heat styling or increase volume. Clay-contained shampoos are known for their oil absorption ability are good for 1A type hair.
1B type hair is straight hair with thickness and a great amount of root volume. This type is the most common in all type 1 hair. This style is still straight but has a thickness in individual strands that can hold a curl or wavy styling. 1B is prone to oiliness like 1A.
1C type hair is straight hair with maximum hair thickness and volume. This type is extremely thick to do curling and styling. 1C type hair is common among Asian women. Like other types 1 hair, the scalp gets greasy quickly. So need regular washing of hair and cleaning shampoo once in a month. This type has a natural volume to it due to the hair thickness.
| 1A | STRAIGHT | STRAIGHT, SOFT, THIN, AND SHINY | NATURALLY SHINY & EASY TO MAINTAIN | LESS VOLUME & DIFFICULT TO STYLE |
| 1B | STRAIGHT | STRAIGHT WITH MORE THICKNESS | MORE VOLUME THAN 1A | DIFFICULT TO CURL |
| 1C | STRAIGHT | STRAIGHT WITH MAXIMUM THICKNESS | MAXIMUM VOLUME IN TYPE 1 | DIFFICULT TO CURL |
| 2A | WAVY | WEAK S-SHAPED WAVY PATTERN | EASY TO STRAIGHT OR CURL | PRONE TO FRIZZ QUICKLY |
| 2B | WAVY | PROMINENT WAVY PATTERN | CAN HOLD STYLING EASILY | PRONE TO FRIZZ QUICKLY |
| 2C | WAVY | COMBINATION OF WAVY & CURLY HAIR | IMPRESSIVE VOLUME WITH CURL PATTERN | PRONE TO FRIZZ QUICKLY |
| 3A | CURLY | SPIRAL S SHAPE CIRCUMFERENCE SIMILAR TO A CHALK | NATURALLY SHINY | PRONE FRIZINESS & EASY TO TANGLE |
| 3B | CURLY | CURL WITH CIRCUMFERENCE SIMILAR TO A SHARPIE MARKER PEN | IMPRESSIVE VOLUME, COARSE AND DENSE | PRONE FRIZINESS & DRYNESS |
| 3C | CURLY | TIGHT CURL WITH CIRCUMFERENCE SIMILAR TO A PENCIL | MAXIMUM VOLUME | PRONE TO FRIZINESS & SHRINKAGE |
| 4A | COILY | TIGHT COIL OF S-SHAPED PATTERN | NATURALLY STRONG AND HEALTHY | EASILY DEHYDRATE AND DAMAGE |
| 4B | COILY | TIGHT COIL OF Z SHAPED PATTERN | IMPRESSIVE VOLUME WITH CURLY PATTERN | FRAGILE AND TEND TO DAMAGE |
| 4C | COILY | TIGHTEST COIL PATTERN | IMPRESSIVE VOLUME WITH CURLY PATTERN | MAXIMUM SHRINKAGE OF LENGTH |
Wavy hair type 2
2A type hair is wavy hair having a pattern between straight and wavy hair. It naturally creates a weak wavy pattern without any treatment or styling. Such type is super easy to style to straight or curly hair. As they easily respond to styling attempts.
One of the most convenient things about 2A is that it can easily be straightened or form into a curl with air drying but the biggest drawback is this type has prone to frizz easily and lose shine quickly. May apply dry shampoo or other styling and moisturizing products.
2B type hair creates a more obvious and prominent wave pattern than 2A type does. 2B hair type is also easy to style but this type has more prone to get frizzy. You can curl it with a curling iron or may also straighten it with iron. Key thing is to avoid frizz.
2C type hair is a combination of wavy and curly hair. This type of hair curls up in a humid environment naturally. It has a great volume and thick wavy pattern but has more prone to get frizzy. It is the thickest type 2 hair.
Curly hair type 3
3A type hair has a curly shape with naturally shiny looks. It has a definite curl shape with good volume. This type of hair is easy to form different shapes.
The major drawback with this type is the hair is more prone to tangle and get frizzy. Tangled hair is easy to tear and damage. So the challenge is to keep the moisturized tangle-free and freeze-free. Use natural oil for moisturizing. For healthy scalp choose shampoo, conditioner, or products containing tea tree oil.
3B type hair is a more prominent curl pattern than 3A type hair has. This type is hair is thick and of high porosity. 3B type hair is also has prone to dryness and fizziness. So you need to consider moisturizing in your hair care routine. Shampoo once in a week and deep conditioning once or twice a week is good for your 3B hair. Choose the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for this type. Use your finger to detangle while drying or styling your hair.
3C type hair has the smallest curl pattern among curly hair types. This type is thinner but looks really full and thick due to its tight S-shaped curl pattern. Like all the curly hair types this also has a tendency to frizziness. and dryness. Again the challenge is to keep your hair moisturized and free from tangle and frizziness. May follow the same routine as 3B to keep your hair moisturized. There are many curly hair products available in the market besides conditioning shampoo and deep conditioner. You may choose the best one that suits your hair that you have chosen with enough research on your hair.
Coily hair type 4
4A type hair is simply a combination of tight coil such type is also known as afro-textured hair or kinky hair. This type of hair is thinner than coily hair. With forms, an obvious shape is stretched and is really brittle and fragile. Use conditioning shampoo (sulfate-free) once a week and cleaning shampoo once a month. Follow up with a conditioner after each time shampoo washing. Natural oils are friendly to your 4A type. Find a silk pillow cover before you go to sleep with your 4A type hair.
4B type hair has a sharp z shape curl pattern. The curl pattern has sharp angles instead of corkscrew-like circumference like 4A. This type of hair is also fragile like 4A. You can follow the same routine as 4A type hair. Just consider your hair porosity to choose your natural oil (coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil).
4C type hair has the tightest coil among all the kinky type hair. This type is really tough to take care of due to its tight coily pattern.
To maintain 4C natural hair the best, wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. Please don’t forget to use a wide-tooth comb to prevent tangles. A deep conditioner once a week will make sure your hair remains soft to handle and moisturized.
Different types of hair thickness and density
To know if your hair is thick or thin, just run a single piece of hair strand through your finger. If you feel like obvious hair then your hair is thick. On the other hand, if you barely feel anything then your hair is thin. Thick hair is of similar thickness to a sewing thread oppositely much thinner hair than sewing thread is considered as thin hair.
The easiest way to define hair density is to look at your hair scalp in the mirror. Try to look at your hair scalp without removing your hair. If your hair scalp is clearly visible then your hair is low-density hair. If you can’t see your scalp then it is high-density hair. If it is not clearly visible seems your hair is a medium density hair.
Final words
Hope the above classification of hair based on curl pattern help to figure out your hair type and gives you a guideline to take care of your hair. About the products, it is actually you to do enough research on your own hair and finalize the products that suit your hair the most. The purpose is the keep your hair healthy and stylish.