Understanding your hair type is one of the most important steps in taking care of your hair. From selecting the right products to styling it the way you like, knowing your hair type will help you make informed decisions about how to treat it.
But with so many different textures and patterns, figuring out your hair type can sometimes feel overwhelming.
In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about how to determine your hair type, the benefits of knowing it, and tips on how to care for it properly.
What Is Hair Type?
Your hair type refers to the natural characteristics of your hair, including its texture, curl pattern, density, and porosity. There’s no single way to categorize hair, but it’s generally classified into categories that describe these characteristics.
Understanding your hair type will help you find the best products, styling techniques, and routines to keep it healthy and manageable.
Key Characteristics of Hair Type
- Texture: Whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily.
- Porosity: How well your hair absorbs moisture.
- Density: How thick or thin your hair strands are.
- Elasticity: How much your hair stretches when wet and how it returns to its original state.
How to Figure Out Your Hair Type
Determining your hair type requires a bit of observation and trial and error. There are different methods to help you figure it out, including checking your hair’s curl pattern, texture, and even how it reacts to various hair products.
Here’s a simple process to help you figure out your hair type:
Step 1: Wash Your Hair
Start by washing your hair with a gentle, sulfate free shampoo. Avoid using conditioners or styling products that might alter your hair’s natural texture.
The goal is to let your hair air dry naturally so you can see its true texture without any interference.
Step 2: Observe Your Hair’s Natural State
Once your hair is dry, look at how it naturally behaves. Does it stick straight down or form waves? Does it curl into defined ringlets or become frizzy? Pay close attention to these natural patterns.
Step 3: Test the Porosity
Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. To check your hair’s porosity, take a strand of clean, dry hair and place it in a bowl of water:
- High porosity: The strand sinks quickly.
- Low porosity: The strand floats.
- Normal porosity: The strand floats for a few minutes before slowly sinking.
Step 4: Assess Your Hair’s Density and Thickness
Next, determine your hair density and thickness:
- Density: Separate your hair into sections and look at your scalp. If you see a lot of scalp showing through, you likely have low density hair. If your scalp is hard to see, you likely have high density hair.
- Thickness: Take a single strand of hair and feel its thickness. Is it fine, medium, or thick?
Hair Types: Breaking It Down
Now that you know how to assess your hair, let’s break down the different types. The most common classification system is based on the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, which divides hair into four categories: straight, wavy, curly, and coily.
Each of these categories has sub categories that reflect the different variations of each type.
Type 1: Straight Hair
Straight hair is the simplest hair type to identify. It lies flat and doesn’t have any natural curl or wave. It tends to be shiny because the natural oils have an easy time traveling from the roots to the ends.
Subcategories:
- Type 1A: Very fine and thin, almost no volume, and lies flat.
- Type 1B: Medium thickness with some body and volume.
- Type 1C: Coarse and thicker, often prone to frizz.
Characteristics of Straight Hair:
- No waves or curls.
- Very shiny and smooth.
- Often oily at the roots due to its flat texture.
Type 2: Wavy Hair
Wavy hair has a loose “S” shape to it, giving it natural movement. It tends to have a bit more volume and body compared to straight hair.
Wavy hair is often a little more resistant to styling than straight hair, but it’s still easy to manage.
Subcategories:
- Type 2A: Fine, soft waves with minimal frizz.
- Type 2B: Medium textured waves that are more defined and prone to frizz.
- Type 2C: Thick, coarse waves with a stronger “S” pattern.
Characteristics of Wavy Hair:
- Loose, undefined waves.
- Volume and body but can be prone to frizz.
- Tends to get oily quickly at the roots.
Type 3: Curly Hair
Curly hair forms tight ringlets or spirals. This hair type is full of volume and has a lot of texture, which can make it both beautiful and challenging to manage.
Subcategories:
- Type 3A: Loose, shiny curls that form soft ringlets.
- Type 3B: Medium to tight curls with more volume and texture.
- Type 3C: Tight curls with lots of volume, often thick and dense.
Characteristics of Curly Hair:
- Defined curls that range from loose to tight.
- Prone to dryness and frizz.
- Needs moisture and definition products to maintain the curl pattern.
Type 4: Coily Hair
Coily hair (also known as kinky or afro textured hair) is the tightest curl pattern. This hair type is typically very thick and dense and requires a good moisture routine to stay healthy and defined.
Subcategories:
- Type 4A: Soft, defined coils with a well formed curl pattern.
- Type 4B: Z-shaped curls that are slightly tighter with less definition.
- Type 4C: Tightly coiled hair that can be very dense and often lacks a defined curl pattern.
Characteristics of Coily Hair:
- Extremely tight curls or zig zag patterns.
- Very dense, sometimes coarse.
- Needs lots of moisture and care to prevent breakage.
Why Knowing Your Hair Type Matters
Knowing your hair type is the first step in building a hair care routine that’s tailored to your needs. Here are just a few reasons why it’s so important to understand your hair:
Product Selection
Different hair types require different products. For example, curly and coily hair types need more moisturizing products, while straight hair types may benefit from lightweight formulas.
Understanding your hair type helps you select the right shampoo, conditioner, and styling products to keep your hair healthy.
Styling Tips
Each hair type responds differently to styling tools. Straight hair may not hold curls as well as curly hair or wavy hair, while coily hair might need more time to stretch when using heat.
Knowing your hair type allows you to choose the best hair styling techniques that give you the best results.
Hair Health
When you know your hair type, it’s easier to provide the right care. For instance, coily hair often needs more moisture and gentler handling, while straight hair may be more prone to oiliness and need products to control that.
By using products and techniques suited to your hair type, you can reduce damage and improve its overall health.
Tips for Caring for Your Hair Type
Here are some general tips for taking care of your hair once you’ve figured out your type:
- Straight Hair: Use lightweight products to avoid weighing it down. Avoid heavy creams and oils.
- Wavy Hair: Use texturizing products to enhance the waves. Keep frizz at bay with anti frizz serums.
- Curly Hair: Moisturize often and use curl creams or gels to define and hold curls.
- Coily Hair: Deep condition regularly, and opt for oils and butters to keep the hair hydrated and prevent breakage.
Common Hair Type FAQs
- How can I tell if my hair is fine or coarse?
- Take a single strand of hair and compare it to a thread of cotton. If your hair feels thinner, it’s fine. If it feels thick, it’s coarse.
- Can my hair type change over time?
- Yes, your hair can change with age, hormonal changes, or health factors. For instance, pregnancy or stress may alter the texture of your hair.
- What products should I avoid based on my hair type?
- Straight hair: Avoid heavy, greasy products.
- Curly hair: Stay away from products with drying alcohols.
- Coily hair: Avoid products that contain sulfates, as they can dry out your curls.
- How can I make my curls more defined?
- Use a curl cream or gel to enhance the curl pattern and avoid frizz. A diffuser attachment for your blow dryer can also help define curls.
- Can I change my hair type with treatments?
- While you can’t permanently change your natural hair type, treatments like keratin smoothing can temporarily alter the texture, making curly hair smoother for a few months.
Conclusion
Figuring out your hair type is an essential first step toward creating a personalized hair care routine.
By understanding your hair’s texture, porosity, and needs, you’ll be able to choose the best products and styling techniques for healthy, beautiful hair.
Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair, embracing your natural texture and giving it the proper care is key to achieving the best results.