Determining the type of hair that you have is very important. When you know the type of hair you have, then you can purchase products that will compliment and help your hair to grow healthy and long. Not knowing your hair type is detrimental and will leave you buying products that could possibly damage your hair.
There are 4 hair types and this is how to determine which one you are. You will need to look at your hair in it’s natural state. If your hair is relaxed then look at your new growth to determine your hair type.
1 - Bone Straight, no curl pattern whatsoever
2a, 2b, 2c - Loose curls
3a, 3b, 3c - Thicker, coily curls
4a, 4b - Kinky, coily hair. 4b is the thickest
STRAIGHT HAIR
Straight hair is classified as a 1. The hair is completely straight with absolutely no curl pattern. Because there’s no curl pattern, light reflects off of the straight hair, giving it a sleek, shiny finish. If straight hair appears dull its usually because it is damaged.
WAVY HAIR
Wavy hair is classified as a 2. Type 2 hair is categorized as 2A/2B or 2C. 2A hair is fine, 2B hair is medium, 2C hair is thick and coarse with a frizzier look. This hair type has a natural “S” curl pattern as it hangs.
MEDIUM, CURLY HAIR
Type 3 hair has a tighter curl pattern. It can be categorized at 3A/3B and 3C hair. 3A hair types have a looser curl pattern, 3B hair has a tighter curl pattern and type 3C hair has a tightly curly look and may look slightly kinky. Type 3 hair is very springy. If you pull on it, it bounces back into its original curly state.
KINKY, COILY HAIR
Tightly coiled type 4 hair is a lot kinkier than the type 2 and 3 hair types. Although this hair type is much coarser and appears thicker than other curly hair, it is actually quite fine. Type 4A hair has an “S” pattern to it, type 4B/C hair is more wiry with a zig-zag pattern. Type 4 hair is hard to grow since it has fewer cuticle layers than the other hair types. Once brushed or combed it’s common for hair to break, leaving it shorter and easily susceptible to damage.
The letters a, b and c after the number tells how thick the hair strand is
