What's My Hair Type??

What’s all this talk about hair type?...Well what’s my hair type then?

What's all the buzz about hair typing in the natural hair community?

Oprah's stylist Andre Walker seems to have the answer to this question. According to Andre, hair is classified into 4 categories with sub-categories: (from curls.biz)




Type 1= Straight hair

Type 2= Wavy Hair~ This hair type has a definite wave pattern, sort of like a loose S shape and is broken down into sub-categories of fine (2a) medium (2b) and thick (2c). This hair type also has a tendency to frizz.

Type 3= Curly hair~ This hair type has a definite curl pattern, sort of like a tighter S shape. This type is a
little more fragile than type 2 and consists of loose big curls. Sub-categories of this type are:
       


      3a~                          

                         

  3b~

                                                            

  3c~

Type 4 hair= Tightly Curly hair~ This type consists of very tightly packed coils that looks tough, but is  actually the most fragile of all the hair types. Type 4 hair will have sheen but will not exactly shine. It is very important to keep type 4 hair moisturized because it is the driest of all the hair types and is more prone to breakage. This hair type is also broken down into sub-categories.   


4a~Type 4a consists of a  more tighter curl than 3c, sort of like a coil (like a spring on the inside of a pen used to write). 

4b~Type 4b still has a coil pattern but it is less defined than type 4a.

4c~Type 4c does not have a defined coil pattern and takes on more of a 'Z' shape with a less consistent pattern and bends at different angles.

Soooo what the importance of knowing your hair type?

The curlier your hair is, the drier, more fragile and more prone to breakage your hair will be. In our scalp, the sebaceous glands secrete a natural lubricant called sebum that moisturizes our strands. The more curly the hair is, the more difficult it is for the sebum to glide down the strand of hair because of all the twists and turns of the curl. So that means the ends of your hair will probably never come in contact with the sebum making it dry brittle and the most prone to breakage.

For example, Type 1 hair is straight. The natural lubricant sebum can easily slide down the straight strand of hair to lubricate it all the way to the ends. ( This is why it "appears" as if people who have naturally straight hair -not chemically processed straightened hair- seems to grow quicker, because they are able to retain their length being that the ends of the hair is well moisturized).

Now the further you go down the hair typing scale, the more prone to breakage the hair will be because it is not being properly moisturized along with the wear and tear of combing, brushing and hair styling. Type 3 and especially type 4 curly chicks will have to do a lot of extra maintenance to keep the hair moisturized, especially the ends of the hair that is more prone to breakage).

Most people have more than one hair type, so to fit your individual needs you might have to consider that some parts of your head may be two different hair types.

So YES your hair is growing! The most important thing for type 3 and 4 curlies is to RETAIN that length by keeping the ENDS of your hair well moisturized, which we will go more in depth about this subject in another segment :)

This 'hair typing' is a bit controversial in the natural hair community because of the stigma that some people may percieve type 4 hair as being more "nappy and unmanageable" than type 3 therefore placing certain 'labels' on women with this hair type and favoring the more curlier types, which is absolutely ridiculous to me!!

I feel that it is important to know your hair type so you can best know how to care for your hair because what works for type 1 and 2 hair will not work for type 3 and 4 hair. Again we will go more into depth about this subject in a later segment because YES type 4 hair can reach waist length with the proper management and care!!

Peace and precious blessings curly heads!!

~Licia