Understanding The Various Hair Types  

What is my hair type? How do I know my hair type? These are some of the most frequently asked questions by women. Your hair type is determined by your hair pattern which is primarily determined by your hair follicles. To know your hair type, here is a quick test that you can do.

Wash your hair with regular wash products and leave your hair to dry. Do not apply any hair serum, conditioner or cream. Observe your hair in a mirror to know your hair type. Another method is to take out a few strands of your hair, place them on a white paper and observe your hair curl pattern.  Although, genetics plays a major determinant in your hair type. For example, if your parents have coily hair then there is a high chance that their offspring will have coily hair and the same applies to the other hair types. 

Let us discuss in depth these hair types. Based on the shape of the hair follicles there are four hair types and 12 additional subcategories for each hair type. 

Type 1 (Straight hair) 

Straight hair has the most fragile hair texture. The hair only has two layers: a cortex and a cuticle and this makes it difficult t1o texturize the hair. Straight hair is more prone to getting oily and dirty than other hair types as the hair lacks curls which means that when you oil, it goes fast from the hair shaft to the scalp.

Subtypes 

Type 1a: Type 1a is very straight and fine and is most commonly seen in Asians.

Type 1b: Type 1b is thicker than type 1a and has a little more volume and body.

Type 1c: This type of straight hair is thick, coarse and shiny because it is curly-resistant. 

Type 2 (Wavy hair)

Wavy hair is much thicker and has more volume and texture than type 1A. They however share other similarities with straight hair such as being prone to oil and dirt.

Subtypes

Type 2a: This hair type is wavy, it can either be thin and coarse or fine and loose. Type 2a has an S-shaped wave pattern and it’s easy to style. 

Type 2b: This hair type is also wavy but medium thick and has a more prominent S-shaped wave pattern.

Type 2c: This hair type is thicker and more coarse. The coarseness makes it very hard to style and the waves are wider and more prominent.

Type 3 (Curly hair)

Curly hair has properly defined curls as opposed to the S-shaped pattern. Curly hair requires maintenance in comparison to type 1 hair. When hair is wet it may become straight but return to its curls once dry.

Subtypes 

Type 3a: Type 3a has defined curls that are thick and shiny. 

Type 3b: Type 3b has tighter curls and sometimes the texture can be coarse, fine or a combination of both. 

Type 3c: Type 3c has very tight curls or kink (corkscrew curls) 

Type 4 (Coily hair)

Coily hair is very coily and sometimes described as a “sister of curly hair”. However, it is very coarse, sensitive and can be easily damaged. Type 4 hair is prone to dryness so it is recommended that the hair should not lack moisture.

Subtypes 

Type 4a: Type 4a is soft with well-defined curls has a soft with well-defined curls and an O-shaped pattern. 

Type 4b: Type 4b is soft and fragile with less defined curls with a Z-shaped pattern.

Type 4c: They are tightly curled with an O-shaped pattern and may sometimes not look curly.

Conclusion 

One of the best ways to care and maintain hair structure is, identification of hair type and texture. Hair types determine the best hair care routines, and products that will keep the hair healthy. Also, this helps hairstylists to prescribe the best care tips to their clients.