Black Hair Type Chart-Understanding Your Hair for Care and Styling
Updated: December 7, 2024
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Black hair is very beautiful with its soft curls or thick coils, but as each strand is unique, it is important to use a tailor-made hair care solution. There are two types of black hair type charts developed by Andre Walker that help classify black hair into type 3 and type 4, with specific subcategories in each of them. In this blog post, we will have a look at these subtypes, explain how to determine your hair type and discuss ways to maintain and enhance your curls, waves, and coils.
What is the Black Hair Type Chart?
The classification system known as the black hair type chart organizes hair textures based on the curl pattern, the degree of thickness, and the geometric shape of an individual strand of hair. The hair types of black people are classified into two broad categories in general:
- Type 3: Curly Hair (3A, 3B, 3C)
- Type 4: Coily/Kinky Hair (4A, 4B, 4C)
Each of the categories given above can be broken down into smaller subgroups (A, B, C), and every subgroup requires its own dosage of care, products, and styling methods in general.
Understanding Type 3: Curly Hair
Type 3 hair has well-defined curls that go from loose loops to tightly spiraled locks. This hair type is usually frizzy and hence should be supplied with enough moisture if the curls are to be maintained.
Type 3A: Loose Curls
Description
The curls found in the 3A hair type resemble the letter S; however, they tend to have a larger spiral that slackens slightly.
Characteristics
Thinner and slightly softer hair is regarded as this type which could cause more fuzz.
Care Tips
- Try using gels and leave-in conditioners as curl enhancers. However, they should be lightweight.
- Never use heavy stuff that will hang down the curls.
- Be sure to deep condition every week because it helps with moisture and decreases fuzz.
Type 3B: Medium Curls:
Description
3B curls are significantly tighter, have a springy look, and have a medium-sized spiral.
Characteristics
Dryness usually comes with this hair type as it has denser hairs.
Care Tips:
- Use shampoos and conditioners that are meant to moisturize curls and prevent frizz easily.
- Provide leave-in conditioners and use styling creams to help with frizz and shape the curls.
- Seal in moisture with sealing oils such as argan or jojoba oil.
Type 3C: Tight Curls:
Description
Curls in 3C are in places, but some are roughly as wide as a pencil or straw, which is a tightly coiled texture.
Characteristics
This type has a fair amount of volume, which is great despite its being more fragile and prone to breaking quite easily.
Care tips:
- Recommended are gels and curl creams which help enhance the definition and hydrate the hair type.
- Wearing heat tools should be kept as a very last resort if possible.
- Moisturize the hair at least once every week and include protein treatments as deemed necessary to help with strength retention and protection.
Type 4 Kinky/Coily Hair:
This is the hair type with coarse, thick, and dense coiled attributes found naturally. It is delicate and often susceptible to dryness and requires more TLC to protect it from breaking easily.
Type 4A: Spiral Coils:
Description
4A strands have coiled shapes that are densely packed and have a very distinct ‘S’ shape that is the same size as a crochet needle.
Characteristics
Compared to the other Type 4 hair, this one maintains moisture better but is prone to being dry.
Care Tips:
- Moisturizers, inclusive of creamy leave-in conditioners and butter, can come in handy.
- To keep moisture, you can combine either LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) or LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil) methods to help moisturize the hair.
- Do not over-manipulate the hair in a bid to prevent breakage.
Type 4B: Zig-Zag Pattern:
Description
Hair type 4B has sharp angles, making z-shaped patterns at corners instead of having coils or being defined by curls.
Characteristics
If dense hair is the norm for most people, this one has the added context of possessing a shrinking tendency, which also does not help matters given its fragile nature.
Care Tips:
- All hair types can benefit from forearm muscle game practice, where moderate moisturizers include heavy creams or butter.
- They should start stretching their hair by quickly braiding or twisting it to help with tangles and shrinkage.
- Engaging in several protective hairstyles can also keep one’s hair in a particular place and together while allowing for lower manipulation.
Type 4C: Tight Coils with No Defining Curl Pattern:
Description
Even though quite a cute garden bush style is achieved in the middle. 4C hair can be said to have dense, tight coils with little or no curl pattern visible on the surface at all. The most shrinkage occurs with this hair type. It may go as far as to be 75% less in a styler or when stretched.
Characteristics
Highly coarse, weak, and easily tangled; can break off very easily.
Care Tips:
- Apply heavy instead of light styling products that contain shea butter, castor oil, and such leave-in conditioners.
- Maintain a low-style rotation to avoid excessive breakage due to friction.
- Braids, twists, and other updo styles can also promote healthier hair in the long term.
How To Determine Your Black Hair Type:
Methods of Identifying and Resolving Issues of Product Build-Up And Drying Out.
Dentist Cut
A clean, simple, and product-free look is the only way forward, and perhaps you should avoid all products on your hair.
Curl Pattern
Check the size and shape of the curls. Could you identify whether they were jammed together in a mess or enabled loosely?
Shrinkage
Know the extent of your hair’s shrinkage with drying. Type 4 hair has the most shrinkage, while type 3 has a high growth factor.
Texture
Fine hair can also need different treatments than coarse hair within a sub-type of curl. This means that alterations in focus by ‘the routine’ will be required based on hair texture.
General Hair Care For All Types Of Black Hair:
Even if you have straight, wavy or tightly curled hair, all types of black hair require consistent hydration, mild manipulation, and protection from damage. Several essential principles for black hair care are stated below:
Moisturize
Use leave-in conditioners, oils, and hair creams to lock in moisture and keep curls and coils hydrated.
Protective Styling
Styles such as braids, twists, and buns reduce daily manipulation of hair and benefit the retention of length
Minimize Heat Usage
Frequent use of heat can cause dryness and breakage of hair strands; therefore, it should be limited to protective heat products.
Regular Trimming
Cutting the ends regularly reduces the chances of split ends and keeps the hair in optimum health.
Silk or Satin Pillowcases
These two different fabrics create minimal irritation, making hair less prone to breakage or frizz during use.
Conclusion
Understanding your black hair type is the first step toward achieving healthier, more manageable, and beautiful hair. By identifying whether your hair falls under Type 3 or Type 4 and its specific subcategories, you can create a care routine tailored to your unique needs. Proper hydration, protective styling, and the right products can make all the difference in enhancing your curls, coils, or waves. Embrace your natural texture, and let your hair shine with confidence every day.
FAQS:
Isn’t having more than one type of hair possible?
The answer is yes, and it is not surprising to have two or more hair types, particularly curly and oily types. For instance, one may have 4B hair types at the sides and 4C types on the crown regions.
How frequently should I wash black hair?
Depending on the type of hair and its needs, it all comes down to this. Normally, a wash after about a week or so or once every two weeks will be enough since it does not remove the oils too much and maintains moisture balance.
What steps can one take to minimize frizz?
To manage frizz, regularly moisturize, use a leave-in conditioner, and sleep on a silk pillowcase. You can also limit frizz by reducing the amount of manipulation of the hair.
How do alopecia and dendroid hair types from the type 4 series differ from each other?
There are more angles in 4B’s structure and more of a defined “Z” pattern than in 4C when the hair’s structure increases to type 4B. In 4C, however, the hair structure’s tight coils make most curl patterns nonexistent, along with high shrinkage levels.
Is it necessary for women with different black hair types to use the same products?
All black hair types require moisture, but none are the same when it comes to the requirements. For instance, a Type 3 may use light products, and a Type 4C may use thick and heavy products.
How many types of black hair are there that are widely accepted?
Most categorizations place black hair in the 3-4 segments. Type 3 is for those with curly hair, while type 4 is Coily and kinky, each with its subtype.
How do I know what type of black hair I have?
To determine your hair type, it is recommended that you examine your curl pattern, texture, and shrinkage and record the height of the hair when it is put off and packed up dry.
What is Type 4C of hair?
This hair structure has tight and very small coils where no types of curl patterns are developed. A common trait among them is shrinkage, dryness, and hair breakage.
What should a person with Type 4 hair use?
Shine and manageability can be offered to Type 4 hair through shea butter, castor oil, or thick leave-in conditioners that can hydrate and help protect the hair.
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