In the same way you dutifully figure out your skin type so you can buy the best products, it’s a good idea to know your hair type in order to cater to your specific needs. After all, the products you use for curly or coily hair certainly wouldn’t be what you’d want to apply to fine strands, and you wouldn’t use the same approach for color-treated hair as you would for thinning hair. We asked hairstylists to break down all the different hair types—and how to cater to each.
Why You Should Know Your Hair Type
Knowing your hair type helps you understand your hair’s natural tendencies, including how it reacts to moisture, styling products, and humidity, says Kari Williams, PhD, a trichologist and director of education for Cécred. And just like your skin, your hair type and its needs can vary over time. “Your hair type can change due to factors like aging, hormonal shifts, heat damage, or chemical treatments,” Dr. Williams says.
The 4 Primary Hair Types (and Their Subtypes)
Hair types can be broken down into four primary types (1 through 4). “From here, each hair type generally has three subcategories based on the curl pattern and texture,” explains celebrity hairstylist Emilio Uribe. “Each subcategory represents a variation in the tightness of the wave or curl.” For example, 2A is a loose wave while 2C has more definition.
We asked Uribe to give us the full rundown, including pro tips on what hair products are best for each hair type.
Straight (Type 1)
This hair type lays flat, with little to no natural wave. It can often become oily more quickly since the scalp’s natural oils can travel down the hair shaft easily.
- 1A: Thin, flat, and shiny. Use volumizers and texturizers for lift and oil control.
- 1B: Straight with slight texture and more body. Lightweight products are perfect to add volume without oiliness.
- 1C: Straight with bends, holds curls, but frizzes. Avoid heavy creams.
Wavy (Type 2)
When hair has a natural “S” shape it’s considered wavy. It tends to have more texture than straight hair but is not as tightly coiled as curly hair.
- 2A: Loose, soft waves, prone to flatness. Volumizers help lift hair at the roots.
- 2B: Beachy waves; may flatten at the crown. Dry shampoos and curl creams add texture.
- 2C: Curliest, with S-pattern and frizz. Moisturize and use hair-plopping for definition.
Curly (Type 3)
This is hair that forms defined curls or ringlets. It can vary in size and tightness, and often requires extra moisture to keep the curls healthy and bouncy.
- 3A: Loose, bouncy curls, prone to frizz. Use hydrating curl creams.
- 3B: Springy ringlets, tighter, and drier. Moisturize without heavy silicones.
- 3C: Tight corkscrews, coarse, and dry. Regular conditioning prevents breakage.
Kinky/Coiled (Type 4)
This type of hair has tight curls or coils. It’s the most delicate of hair types and often requires consistent hydration and careful handling to prevent breakage.
- 4A: Tight S-coils, retains moisture. Use curl creams for definition.
- 4B: Zigzag coils, high shrinkage. Rich moisturizers prevent dryness.
- 4C: Tightest, fragile coils with minimal definition. Heavy moisturizers and detanglers are key.
How to Determine Your Hair Type
To properly assess your hair type, Uribe says to wash your hair and let it dry naturally or with a blow dryer, but without using any brushes or styling tools. From here, observe the natural shape and feel of your hair and refer to the guide above. You can also ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it naturally dry straight, wavy, curly, or tightly coiled?
- Is it frizzy, brittle, or dry at the ends?
- How does my hair react to humidity?
- Does deep conditioner help my hair or weigh it down?
Visually observing your hair and answering these questions can help you pinpoint your hair type and find the best products. And along with knowing your current hair type, Dr. Williams says it’s also important to consider your hair’s current needs, which she refers to as its “need state.” This helps you understand whether your hair requires additional TLC that can help with issues such as hydration, strengthening, thinning, and color fading.
If you’re still uncertain about your hair type or its needs, Uribe recommends consulting with a professional hairstylist during your next salon visit. They’ll be able to give you a more concrete answer and even offer some pro tips for nailing your hair care routine.
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