Different Types of Hair and How to Treat the Hair Appropriately
Aesthetics Daily – The hair that grows on the head serves to protect the scalp from the hot sun and cold. There are hundreds of thousands of strands of hair that grow in a variety of ways. Each hair that falls out will be replaced with a new one. In addition, hair is a part of the body that can enhance your appearance.
Therefore, it is important for you to always take care of your hair. At times, you will need to cut it to make it look fresher and tidier. You also need a range of hair care products from shampoo to conditioner. However, people often feel confused about choosing the most suitable hair care products.
Therefore, you need to know the type and condition of your hair so you don’t end up using the wrong hair care product. Each type of hair whether it is thin, thick, long, short, straight, curly, coily or wavy has different characteristics. Thus, you also need a different hair care.
What is Your Hair Type?
Your hair type is mainly differentiated according to the pattern of your curls. Meanwhile, the number of curls in the hair is determined by the hair follicle. The types of hair that are determined by genetic factors are divided into 4 main categories, namely: straight hair (type 1), wavy hair (type 2), curly hair (type 3), and coily hair (type 4).
Each hair type is divided into several subcategories based on the looseness or tightness of curls. However, every human being may have several different types of hair.
The hair types system introduced by stylist Andre Walker aims to help identify the texture of the curls that are most common among women. By recognizing your hair type, you can avoid using the wrong hair care products.
Type 1: Straight Hair
Do you have straight hair? If so then you should be grateful that straight hair is easy to grow long and strong. The resilience and hydration it gets from sebum makes it less prone to split ends and breakage.
Also, the straight surface of the hair reflects more light, making it look more radiant. Straight hair is stronger because it gets all the nutrients it needs.
However, straight hair also has some disadvantages. It has no volume, gets greasy easily as sebum is more visible at the top of the hair. Straight hair may look timeless and classic but this might make people who have it feel bored.
Straight Hair: Type 1A (Fine)
This hair type is very soft, silky and shiny. Under these conditions, type 1A is very easy to manage and organize. However, this often requires a slight increase in the roots.
Straight Hair: Type 1B (Medium)
Straight hair that is slightly thicker and more pliable than the type 1A, making it more difficult to manage. The perfect hairstyle for this hair type is a sleek ponytail.
Straight Hair: Type 1C (Coarse)
This is the thickest and coarsest of straight hair. Usually straight and sticky, this hair type is difficult to make wavy or curled.
Type 2: Wavy Hair
Known as hair type 2, wavy hair is broken down into 3 different subtypes: 2A, 2B, and 2C. Each sub-type of wavy hair has its own characteristics. Wavy hair is between straight and curly.
Wavy hair has a looser curl pattern that quickly loses its shape. So, you need to freshen your hair more often to maintain the style until the next wash. Some steps you can take to keep your hair fresh.
Spray dry shampoo to absorb oil and create more texture. You can also use a liquid gel that doesn’t weigh too much on your hair. If you want better definition and longer hold, try strong holding gels.
Wavy Hair: Type 2A
Characteristics of type 2A include a very wrinkled texture. The waves protrude slightly and can easily lose their shape, becoming almost straight. Owners of this hair type need to use very light styling products that can hold them well. That way, your hairstyle can last longer.
Wavy Hair: Type 2B
2B hair has a tighter S-shape with a loose texture. It is able to maintain its shape better than 2A hair.
Wavy Hair: Type 3B
Having a very tight s-shape texture, hair type 2C is the most frizz-prone among all wavy hair types. For this reason, it is important for owners of this hair type to combine moisture and durability in their choice of style.
Type 3: Curly Hair
Natural curly hair tends to be more brittle than straight hair. With the uneven shape of the hair fibers, curly hair has a slightly raised cuticle compared to other hair fibers. When the cuticle is removed, the inner structures are exposed, leaving the hair vulnerable to dehydration and damage.
Caring for curly hair can be a hassle as it is likely to break, dry and fangle more easily. People with curly hair often make some mistakes that shouldn’t be done. Mistakes in caring for curly hair include overcleansing the hair, waiting too long to apply styling products, skipping conditioner, and using a brush to detangle.
In order not to go wrong in caring for curly hair you have to find out what type of curls you have. Clean your curls with a sulfate-free shampoo or use conditioner instead of shampoo. Don’t clean your hair when it is dry. Clean only when it is wet.
Curly Hair: Type 3A
This hair type has a pretty natural luster. However, the type 3A has a high risk of wrinkling if the strands are excessive. To fix this, use a nourishing cream to improve its texture.
Keep your hands away from hair unless absolutely necessary. Always carry a non-rinse moisturizing spray or conditioner to keep your hair fresh and hydrated throughout the day.
Curly Hair: Type 3B
The dry-prone type 3B needs gels and other styling products that offer extra moisture. You may also need a leave-in conditioner and hair mask to lock in moisture and maintain hydration.
Curly Hair: Type 3C
Type 3C, which is full of natural volume, is very prone to wrinkles. For that, you need a sulfate-free shampoo to keep your hair from drying out further. This will also emphasize the natural curl pattern. Choose a styling product that moisturizes like creams, gels or mousse with natural ingredients.
Type 4: Coily Hair
The thickest type of curly hair, coily hair refers to the strands that form tight curls in a zig zag pattern from the scalp. The most unruly curly hair type has a dry texture.
Some coily hairs are self-supporting, very rarely need hairspray. You can also experiment with various hairstyles according to your taste. Curly hair can act as a natural barrier, blocking the scalp from the sun.
Coily Hair: Type 4A
With a tightly circular s-curl, this hair type has a hard to smooth texture. Having a thick appearance, type 4A requires simple maintenance. You can cut it short, long or style it in whatever shape you think is the most beautiful.
Coily Hair: Type 4B
Having a prominent z shape, this hair type can be accentuated by a technique called shingling. With varying thicknesses, the 4B type feels like cotton, which is soft to the touch.
Coily Hair: Type 4C
Similar to the 4B type, this hair type has a z-shaped pattern. With so many zigzags in the hair, the 4C type looks like it has one shape.
Related to Hair Care:
- 3 Types of Hair & Their Characteristics: Normal, Oily & Dry Hair
- Main Causes of Dandruff and How to Get Rid of It Naturally
- Four Treatments of Scalp & Hair Experience by L’Oréal Professionnel
- 10 Benefits of Hair Spa: Maintaining Hair Roots to Overcoming Dandruff
- 9 of The Most Common Hair Problems & Ways to Overcome Them