What Type of Hair Do I Have?

“Knowledge is power, never stop learning”

I’m really into natural hair because the benefits are priceless! Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against relaxers I just prefer natural hair at this stage in my life. Natural hair allows me more versatility and styling options. I also feel that the lack of harsh chemicals on my hair and scalp keep me and my hair healthier.  One thing that you must keep in mind is that everyone’s hair is different and finding a perfect product and hair regimen will require some trial and error but the goal is to point you in the right direction. I also strongly suggest starting to look at the ingredients in all of your products to learn what is going in your hair.

While researching about hair you might come across sites that say use this product for 1A or 4B type hair. I bet you’re like what does all that mean? Well below I have broken the categories down and added some additional information that should help with understanding your hair type. Your hair type categorizes the shape of your strands i.e. curly or straight. Texture determines the size of each strand i.e. thin, medium or coarse.

So what’s your hair type:

Closed cuticles produce a smooth surface for light to bounce off of which is the shiny healthy appearance the naked eye sees.

Type 1: There is zero curl or wave. This usually is a person with strong and shiny hair that generally won’t hold a curl. Your hair is more likely to be oily than dry. This hair type has more cuticle layers than any other which makes it harder to damage. There are however always people that push the limit and over process which leads to dry and brittle hair with paper thin ends. There are three sub categories to this type: 1A, 1B, and 1C

1 A-Hair tends to be fine, thin and super soft.  Shampoo daily. Use a gentle shampoo for oily hair to get it squeaky clean to produce more body for your hair.

1 B- Medium textured with a lot of body. Shampoo daily or every other day. Use a gentle moisturizing shampoo.

1 C- Coarse textured and most resistant to curling and shaping. Shampoo daily or every other day. Use a gentle moisturizing shampoo.

Type 2: There is a wavy “S” like curl pattern and the hair tends to be coarse. Even if you cut this type of hair it will stick close to the head without bouncing up.

2A- Hair tends to be fine and thin but straight and curly style are easy to perform. A “normal” shampoo or any shampoo like moisturizing or sulfate free shampoo can be used daily or every other day based on preference.

2B- Medium textured and tends to hug the head like a finger wave.

2C- Coarse textured and looser wave. Both of these are a little more resistant to styling and tend to frizz. A “normal” shampoo like moisturizing or sulfate free shampoo can be used daily or every other day based on preference with these 2 types.

Type 3: Is hair that has a definite loopy “S” pattern. If you pluck it out and stretch it, it will look the same way a spring does.  It’s usually baby soft and has a fine texture. The cuticle layer doesn’t lay flat which is why it isn’t as shiny as straight or wavy hair is. The curls for this type have strong elasticity (strength) and can be pulled without snapping. Damaged type 3 hair is frizzy, dull, hard and dry to the touch and fuzzy ill defined curls.

3A- Shiny loose curls. Hair should be kept as moist as possible. Shampoo every three days or so with a moisturizing or sulfate-free shampoo. Daily shampooing tends to leave the hair frizzy. If you are wearing your curls then you can rinse daily (hydrate with water) and shampoo every so often.

   

3B- Long corkscrew curls (medium amount of curl). Shampoo every three days or so with a moisturizing or sulfate-free shampoo. Daily shampooing tends to leave the hair frizzy. If you are wearing your curls then you can rinse daily (hydrate with water) and shampoo every so often.

 

Type 4: Kinky Hair. This type of hair is very tightly curled. It’s generally very wiry, very tightly coiled and fragile.  It appears to be coarse but its fine with lots and lots of densely pack strands. This hair doesn’t usually have a high shine (reflection of light from cuticle) but has a high sheen (luster) to it. It has a soft and silky feel in a healthy state. This hair is the most fragile because it has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type. This means that it has less natural protection.

4A- Tightly coiled hair that when stretched has an “S” pattern. Usually holds more moisture than 4B. Recommended shampooing is once a week to keep the moisture in the hair. You want to use a protein based shampoo with natural ingredients. Look for ingredients like Shea butter, glycerin, nettle, yarrow, chamomile, honey, wheat protein and glucosides.

 

4B- Usually a less defined and wiry curl pattern. Recommended shampooing is once a week to keep the moisture in the hair. You want to use a protein based shampoo with natural ingredients. Look for ingredients like Shea butter, glycerin,nettle, yarrow, chamomile, honey, wheat protein and glucosides.

Once a month to every 6 weeks a good clarifying shampoo should be done to remove build up. It will remove product build up as well as its natural oils. This is why it is not recommended for daily use. Some people will not be able to clarify because their hair will not be able to handle the removal. After a clarifying treatment you must I repeat must perform a deep conditioning treatment to pack in the oils and nutrients that were stripped away.

Hair tip- Biotin is known as vitamin H and is in the vitamin B family. Dry skin is a possible sign of biotin deficiency as well as thinning and balding hair, brittle nails and fatigue. You can find biotin in your daily food intake in substances like brewer's yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. A "suggested" daily dose is 150 to 300 mcg. Consult your doctor before starting a new vitamin regimen. Shampoo enriched with biotin and silica are said to aid in hair loss prevention.