Understand your hair type
Types of Hair
Hair is an expression of one’s personality, we cut it, style it, colour it, treat it, perm it, and straighten it. Our hair goes through many different transformations during our lives, but often, we don’t protect our hair or treat our hair with the correct products, leaving it weathered and dull. So, we need to understand our hair and why it behaves the way it does to treat it and others.
Hair type is determined by our genetics and broken down into the hair’s curl pattern which is determined by the hair follicles. The shape of the follicle determines whether your hair is: straight, wavy, curly, or tightly curled. The more asymmetrical or oval your follicle is, the curlier your hair will be.
Curl patterns can be altered with heat or chemicals, sometimes by the medication you take, but the basic curl pattern is in your DNA and cannot be changed.
Hair Type is broken down into 4 main categories: hair type 1, hair type 2, hair type 3, and hair type 4, these main types are further broken down into a, b, and c depending on hair density, curl pattern, porosity, width, and length.
Hair Type 1
Hair Type 1 (Straight hair) – oiliest and shiniest of the hair
1A – fine, thin, and soft with a noticeable shine.
1B – medium textured with more body than 1a.
1C – coarser and more resistant to styling.
Hair type 1 has more sebum than the other 3 hair types, this makes the hair oilier quicker than those with curlier hair because the sebum travels from the scalp to the hair tips much quicker, it also has more sheen and is softer. For this reason, people with hair type 1 will want to avoid heavier products and products with thicker oils and tend to wash their hair more often.
Hair Type 2
Hair Type 2 (Wavy hair) – Hair is not overly oily
2A – hair is fine nd thin, easier to handle as it an be straightened or curled easily.
2B – hair has natural waves and follow the shape of the head.
2C – hair frizzes easily and is coarse.
Hair type 2 tends to frizz and lacks hydration. Products for this hair type should include products that hydrate and moisturize the hair shaft and lock in the moisture and reduce the frizz.
Hair Type 3
Hair Type 3 (Curly hair) – has a definite “S” shape, is not
as shiny or oily
3A – hair is shiny and loose
3B – hair has a medium amount of curls
3C – hair has tighter curls
Hair type 3 needs to focus on moisture with products designed to moisturize and reduce the frizz.
Hair Type 4
Hair Type 4 (Kinky hair) – full, tight curl
4A – tight curls that have a “S” curl when stretched
4B – hair has less defined pattern of curls and the hairs bend with sharp corners, like a “Z”
4C – Very coiled and tight curls, hair springs back
Hair type 4 can be a toss up of dry hair and oily hair. It depends on how long the hair is as well as the texture. Generally speaking, locking in moisture will be the best step for hair type 4.