10 Hair Types: How to Identify Yours and Why It Matters
July 12, 2023
8:39 PM
We usually divide hair into curly and straight, dry, oily and dyed. However, experts distinguish more categories and are convinced that in order for the hair to look beautiful and healthy, each of us must know his type, otherwise the selected care and styling will not help.
Hair texture classification can consist of one of four numbers and one of three letters. Type 1 is straight, type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly, and type 4 is small tight curls. The letters are needed to determine the degree of the trait: for example, straight hair can be completely straight (subtype A) or have slight bends (subtype B), or it can appear disheveled, although it does not are still not closed (C).
Type 1A
Most often, this type of hair is found in Asian women: absolutely straight, quite dense, shiny, moisturized evenly along the entire length and difficult to comb. Almost any care is suitable for such hair, the main thing is not to weigh it down and not to apply too greasy nourishing masks and lotions. The best option is a moisturizer in the form of a spray or veil, a shampoo with a light texture and a balm with a cooling effect.
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Type 2A
The basic difference between hair of the second type is that it is thinner and looks slightly disheveled without styling. This hair gets dirty faster, but with frequent washing it becomes brittle and dull. What will help? Water-based products suitable for daily use, dry shampoos as support products and no tight styling: even if you wear a bun or a ponytail, the outfit must be flexible.
Type 2B
Relaxed curls are one of the most effective hair types, especially with the current trend for going natural. Indeed, with such a hair structure, no styling is necessary, and in care you can alternate greasy products to nourish and maintain shine with light moisturizing masks.
Type 2C
The clearest (albeit strange) characteristic of this hair type is that it is neither curly nor straight, does not lie, does not obey and comes out the way it wants. Trichologists recommend using moisturizing masks, oil wraps and blow-drying with a diffuser to achieve the effect of relaxed curls, or blow-drying with a brush.
Type 3A
Obviously curly and very beautiful from the outside, this hair requires very careful care, as it tends to split and become fragile. The first and main rule is not to wipe with a towel. If you need to dry the strands quickly, trichologists recommend using a microfiber cloth or an old t-shirt, gently wicking away the moisture. Care, we advise you to pay attention to products with a mousse or mousse texture so as not to weigh down the strands.
Type 3B
Stay away from products containing sulfates, parabens, and silicones, as these tend to strip your hair’s natural oils, leaving it dry and more prone to breakage. Another bane of curly hair is hot drying, so if you really need to use a hair dryer, choose the lowest heat.
Type 3C
Tight curls do not distribute the natural moisture of the hair evenly over the length: from the root, the nutrients only come from a few centimeters down the length of the hair. To maintain structured curls and shiny, well-groomed hair, you must use oil-based products and remember to moisturize regularly.
Type 4A
Smaller curls are more common in people of African descent, but Europeans are also born with this hair structure. It is often said about such hair “like a thread”, it is hard, thick, very thick and, if not properly maintained, can look like a washcloth. Oil, oil and more oil, and with a dense texture, such as shea or jojoba, will help the scales on the surface of the hair to adhere to each other, which will make the strands shiny and easier to style.
Type 4B
So “little demon” that it can be difficult not only to moisturize and nourish the hair, but also to get it wet. To properly maintain them, experts advise applying nourishing masks strand by strand and a thicker layer, because the hair structure is too porous and the products can take longer than usual.
Type 4C
In our region, it is quite rare in its natural form, but after dyeing, bleaching or perming, it turns out to be exactly that: dry, burnt dead hair that breaks and splits. To make your hair look better, experts advise you to stop using a comb, wash your hair with sulfate-free products, and never resort to heat styling.
I am Amanda Gans, a motivated and ambitious professional in the news writing industry. With over five years of experience in this field, I have developed an eye for detail and an ability to craft stories that captivate readers. I currently write for Gossipify, where I specialize in beauty & celebrities news. My passion lies with exploring the world of beauty through writing, interviewing experts and developing articles that are both informative and entertaining.