Do you know your hair type? If not, it’s time to find out with our easy hair type chart!
Knowing your hair type is essential to creating a hair care regimen that will help you achieve healthy, gorgeous locks.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of hair and how to determine which one you have.
We will also provide tips for taking care of your coily hair.
So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find out more!
Identifying your hair type
According to Andre Walker’s hair type chart, there are four main types of hair: straight (Type 1), wavy (Type 2), curly (Type 3), and kinky (Type 4).
If you don’t already know, this typing system was developed by Oprah Winfrey’s stylist, Andre Walker in the 90s.
Although somewhat controversial, this system is still widely referenced when discussing the different hair types.
For simplicity, we’re going to use this system since it is well-known and easy to understand.
The debate on whether this hair type chart prioritizes straighter hair textures over more kinky ones is a topic for a whole other post!
Let’s get started:
Straight hair or Hair Type 1
In Walker’s hair typing system, type 1 is reserved for straight hair.
If you have straight hair, it means that your hair follicles grow in a straight pattern.
This is the most common type of hair and is typically shiny and quite oily.
The scalp’s natural oil (sebum) can easily slide down the straight hair strands, coating them from root to tip.
This can make this hair type prone to oiliness and is difficult holding a curl.
The texture of straight hair can range from fine, to medium to coarse.
Asian hair is an example of coarse texture as it is bone straight and very difficult to curl.
Wavy Hair or Hair Type 2
Wavy hair is not quite as straight, but it also is not as curly as curly hair.
Wavy hair follicles grow in a loose ‘S’ type pattern and can be either fine or thick.
Type 2 wavy hair can be quite versatile but also tends to be frizzy.
The wavier the type 2 hair pattern gets the more prone it is to frizz (2c, for example),.
Curly Hair or Hair Type 3
Curly hair grows in a spiral pattern and can be either loose or tight curls, and is typically thicker than straight or wavy hair.
Like wavy hair, curls in type 3 hair can be loose but get tighter as you approach the c-stage.
Curls on the lower end of type 3 curly hair system tend to be looser (3a) and more defined.
Curly hair generally tends to be thick and full with a lot of body, but like wavy hair, can also be prone to frizz.
It is not uncommon to have different curl textures all at once.
For example, you can have type 3a curls at the front, type 3b curls at the crown and a mix of type 3b/3c curls at the nape.
Type 3c curl patterns look like corkscrews and are densely packed.
3c hair texture is more prone to dryness as the tighter curl type makes it more difficult for sebum to coat the strands.
Kinky Hair or Hair Type 4
Kinky hair is the tightest curl, according the hair type chart, and it grows in a zig-zag pattern.
Kinky hair, also known as coily hair, happens to be the driest type of hair, so it requires special care to prevent breakage.
Type 4 hair is the most fragile and tends to break more easily due to the unique zig zag curl patterns, as well as the tendency to be dry.
Like 3c hair, type 4 hair is difficult to get the coating of natural sebum from the scalp.
These strands require a lot of moisture and it is best to detangle when it is wet.
Type 4a coils have an ‘0-shaped’ pattern and are slightly more defined than type 4b or 4c when wet.
Type 4b strands have a ‘z-shaped’ pattern and appear less defined than 4a hair when wet.
Type 4c hair has no discernible curl pattern and is the most tightly coiled of all hair types.
You can see a curl pattern, however, if viewing the strands up close.
This hair type is also prone to shrinkage, sometimes up to 75% !
Now that you know the different types of hair, let’s talk about how to care for your own.
Hair Typing Tips
Once you know your hair type, you can start to create a regimen that will help you achieve healthy hair!
Knowing your hair porosity plays a big role in maintaining an adequate moisture balance no matter what type of hair you have.
Type 4 hair curls can be defined by using the right styling products, coupled with lots of hydration.
Since coily hair is prone to breakage, especially at the crown, sealing in moisture is essential for helping to retain length.
The easiest way to do this is by looking at your hair when it is wet.
If you have straight hair, you should shampoo and condition your hair every day.
Wavy hair does not need to be washed as often as straight hair, but you should still shampoo and condition it every other day.
You can also use a heat protectant to prevent damage from styling tools.
You can also use a leave-in conditioner to help keep your hair hydrated.
Curly hair should be shampooed and conditioned once a week, using a deep conditioner to maintain moisture levels.
It is also important to avoid using heat styling tools, as they can damage curly hair.
Kinky hair is the most delicate type of hair, so it should be shampooed and conditioned once a week.
Individual type 4 coily hair strands can be fine or thick.
Type 4 natural hair curl types benefit from a consistent wash, deep condition and moisture regimen.
(What to do after washing natural hair)
You should also use a leave-in conditioner to help hydrate your hair and prevent breakage.
So, what’s your hair type?
Knowing this is the first step to finding the right hair care regimen for you.
We hope this guide has helped you figure out your hair type and given you some ideas on how to take better care of it.
Let us know in the comments below which tips worked best for you!
And be sure to check out our other blog posts for more hair care tips and tricks.
Thanks for reading!
