It is important to know your hair type because it will help you learn how to take care of your hair and make it look healthy and shiny. Each hair type requires certain treatment so that it remains healthy and shiny for as long as possible. In this article, you will find out how to identify different hair types and some tips on how to treat your hair right. From straight hair to coily hair, here is everything you need to know.
Identifying The Types of Hair
Hair types are categorized based on two primary factors: curl pattern and hair texture. Curl pattern varies from straight to coily, and hair texture can be fine, medium, or coarse. The types of hair may include straight hair, wavy hair, curl hair, and coily hair.
Straight Hair
Type 1 hair is straight; it does not have curls and is usually smooth and silky. This hair type is normally shiny because the natural oils can slide down the hair strands. But it can also turn out to be very oily within a short period if you do not take good care of your hair. The feel of straight hair can be smooth or rough depending on the type of hair the person has.
Care Tips for Straight Hair:
- Wash your hair frequently so that there will be no buildup of oils on your hair.
- A light conditioner should be used in order to not make the hair weigh down.
- Use a volumizing mousse or spray, which will give more volume and add texture to the hair.
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair, or Type 2, has a slight curl or wave pattern and is in the form of the letter ‘S’. It is between straight and curl hair and can be fine and smooth or coarse and wiry. Wavy hair type needs both moisture and volume, which are required in equal proportions for this hair type.
Care Tips for Wavy Hair:
- To retain moisture, one should wash hair with a sulfate-free shampoo.
- Wash the hair with a leave-in conditioner to reduce frizz and to also improve the wave pattern of the hair.
- When blow drying, it is suggested that a diffuser attachment be used so that the waves remain in place.
Curl Hair
Type 3 hair is curl hair, and it has a curl pattern in the form of loops or spirals; the curls are well-defined. It can be as soft as springy curls to very tight curls that coil in rings. Curly hair is normally dry because the natural oils cannot reach the hair tips through the hair shafts, resulting in frizz.
Care Tips for Curl Hair:
- It is recommended that when washing curl hair, one should use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner so that the hair does not dry up.
- Curl creams or gels should be used to enhance curls and minimize the level of frizz.
- Avoid the use of heat styling tools frequently so that you do not end up damaging your hair and maintain the health of curls.
Coily Hair
Type 4 hair is coily, and it is the most complex pattern; it forms zigzag or coil patterns on the scalp. It is also referred to as “kinky” hair and is very dry in nature and hence requires a lot of care when washing. Coily hair is also very fragile and can break very easily, especially if not well taken care of as compared to other hair types.
Care Tips for Coily Hair:
- The hair should be deep-conditioned often to provide the hair with the moisture that it requires.
- Coconut, jojoba, or argan oil should be used to seal in the moisture.
- Comb or brush with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to avoid pulling the hair strands, as it leads to breakage.
Understanding Hair Texture
Hair texture is the thickness of each strand of hair and can be fine, medium, or coarse. The fine hair type is the thinnest, oilier, and has less volume than the other hair types. Medium hair is thicker than fine hair and has more volume than the latter, while coarse hair is the thickest hair type and is also dry.
Care Tips for Different Hair Texture:
- Fine Hair:
Select light products for fine hair and avoid applying oils or creams with a thick texture. - Medium Hair:
Try out different products so that you can determine the right product that will give your hair the right moisture and volume. - Coarse Hair:
Focus on hair care products that are used to retain hair moisture and deep conditioning to make hair manageable.
Conclusion
The first step that you have to take before you can start any hair care routine is to identify the hair type and texture. Whether you have straight hair, wavy hair, curl hair, or coily hair, you will be able to get to know more about different hair types and how to manage them. So, just always bear in mind that the key to good hair care is to learn the type and texture of your hair. Follow the right hair care regimen to get the best out of your hair for the desired look every day.
References
https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/how-to-determine-your-hair-type
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/types-of-hair
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hair-types
https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/there-are-12-hair-types-heres-how-to-identify-yours-according-to-a-trichologist
https://puresense.co.in/blogs/how-tos/types-of-hair
https://cloudnine-hair.co.nz/blogs/hair/how-to-find-out-your-hair-type-our-expert-s-guide?srsltid=AfmBOorwLX1NFVmvpdh1vcHXq-H-dHw2LkkLUom0YCPG-H5E6BH0tVEt
