Do I Have Type 4C Hair?
START HERE, if you are beginning a new hair journey or would like to understand more about your hair but you’re not sure where to start. This article explains about the characteristics of 4C hair. Once you get a better understanding about whether or not you have 4C hair, click on the links below to get information on hair care for your 4C hair.
Hair type refers to the amount of curl and thickness in an individual hair strand in its natural state. Your hair type is actually dependent on the shape of the hair follicle on your scalp. Similar to pores in the skin, hair follicles are the holes from which your hair grows. The more oval shaped your hair follicle is, the curlier your hair is typically.
The classification of each hair texture is divided into four main groups (1, 2, 3, and 4), with each group further divided into three subcategories (a, b, and c) which indicates the amount of curl to the individual hair strand. As such, the numbers describe the shape of your curls, while the letters below describe the width or diameter of the curls themselves with “a” being widest, “b” as medium, and “c” as the tightest curl.
Finding your hair type can still be very challenging, because many women actually have more than one hair type on their head. You may have type 4a in the front and back of your head and type 4b on the sides. Although this may make it more confusing to find your hair type, knowing what your hair type is can help you to better care for your hair. It can help you to determine which products work best for your hair and the practices that may be harmful to your hair.
TYPE 4C HAIR:
Type 4 hair is kinky hair, with tight coils to Z-angled coils. Type 4 hair tends to be very dry because of the shape of the individual hair strand. The natural hair oils that the scalp produces does not travel more than an inch or two down to the hair shaft because of the highly textured nature of the hair strand.
Type 4c hair forms a Z shaped zig-zag pattern. The individual hair strand can range from thin/fine to wirey or coarse. What is incredible about 4c hair is its ability to shrink to half its length when moist. Many 4c naturals have shrinkage up to 70% or more. Type 4C hair does best with products on the heavier creamier side.