How Different Types of Hair Should be Treated

Your genetics determine your hair type. This means that while there are styling techniques you can use to alter how your hair behaves, it will naturally grow in a specific curl pattern. That is why you should learn important aspects about your hair, including porosity, texture, and density. These will help you know what will work for your hair and what you should avoid. In the article below, we will look at the different hair types, recommended care routines, common mistakes, and best practices.
 

Understanding Hair Types

Genetically, your hair can fall into four major groups on the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. The four hair types range from 1-4 based on the curl pattern. The four hair types are:

1. Type 1 or Straight Hair

Type 1 is the hair with no or least curl pattern among the four types of hair in the hair typing systems. Straight hair also tends to be shinier because it lies on the head and thus has more scalp oils running on it. There are three subtypes of type I hair, namely 1a, 1b, and 1c. 1a hair is the straightest, finest, and shiniest as it can lie completely flat on the head. 1b hair has a slight bend and is more noticeable for long hair. Type 1c is the curliest of the three subtypes as it has a more pronounced arch and is coarser. Type 1b and 1c hair need more care than 1a so that they do not tangle, as they are characterized by frizz and flyaways.

2. Type 2 or Wavy Hair

Type 2 hair is the perfect pattern between type 1 and type 3 hair. It has a loose S-shaped pattern that can be loose or tight depending on the products used and styling. It is also not overly dry or oily, which is evidenced in its curls. The subtypes of wavy hair, 2a, 2b, and 2c, differ in the tightness of the wave pattern. Type 2a has straight ends with more waves on the body of the hair. The S curl pattern is tighter in type 2b hair and requires enough moisture to minimize frizz. For 2c hair, the curl pattern is strong enough to resemble loose corkscrews from the roots to the ends of the shafts.

3. Type 3 or Curly Hair

The curl pattern in type 3 hair is quite diverse and can range from spirals, ringlets, corkscrews, springs, and loops depending on the hair texture. The shaft of the hair curls because the hair grows from elliptical follicles. Curly hair is drier because the curved pattern slows down the movement of oil from the scalp through the length of the hair. This makes the hair drier and more prone to breaking. The subtypes include 3a, 3b, and 3c. 3a hair has large, loose, and bouncy S-shaped curls while 3b has spiral, bouncy ringlets. Type 3c has a more noticeably tighter curl, which looks like tight springs. Type 3 hair becomes more frizzy, drier, and needs more moisture as you move down the three subtypes.

4. Type 4 or Coily Hair

Versatile curl pattern is the best way to define type 4 hair. The pattern can be loose or tight S and Z-shaped curls. It is also the most fragile hair type and requires gentle handling to avoid shrinkage and breakage and promote growth. On the bright side, it is the most favorable and malleable hair when styling. Type 4a hair has soft coils the size of a crochet needle, is dense, and does not shrink as much. 4b hair has a defined Z-shape and has a fluffy appearance when wet. Type 4c hair can have different curl patterns in the same head, but a tight zigzag pattern is more prominent. It is coarse and experiences the most shrinkage of the type 4 subtypes. Regardless of the hair type, all hair can grow and flourish when you understand its fundamental
 aspects. These include;

Texture

Texture refers to the thickness of each hair strand and can be classified as fine, medium, or coarse. Type I hair has a fine texture, type 2 has a medium to coarse texture, while types 3 and 4 have a coarse texture. The shape of your hair follicles can be symmetrical, oval, or round, and this will determine the pattern your hair grows. It is important to note that while the hair texture is genetically determined, it can be impacted by the environment and care routine.

Porosity

Porosity will dictate the level at which your hair can easily absorb and hold moisture. Hair porosity is determined by how open your hair cuticles are, which also determines the amount of moisture retained. The more the cuticles are open, the more porous your hair is and vice versa. This fact is used to determine if you have low, medium, or high porosity hair.

Density

Density refers to the quantity of hair strands on your skull. Hair density can be classified as low, medium, and high, which translates into thin or thick hair. Dense hair might require a lot of product to ensure proper coverage, whereas thinner hair requires less product so as not to get built up.
 

Type 1 Hair: Straight Hair

Type 1 hair can be fine and flat, slightly thick with a few waves, or coarse and with a better-defined curl pattern. However, the care instructions for the three subtypes do not differ much because, at the root of it, you want to have proper oil control. You want to use oil-free products that nourish the scalp without promoting more oil production. Remember that your shafts are lightweight, and using a heavy product will weigh down the hair and lead to breakage. Here is how to take care of type 1 hair:

Proper Hair Care Routine

It can be tempting to think that washing type 1 hair more often is the way to go to reduce the oiliness. However, this is not a good step to take because washing your type 1 hair daily will make the scalp drier and lead to even more oil production. You want to wash your hair after at least 2 days, especially for type 1a hair. A sulphate-free shampoo will gently remove the excess oil without completely stripping your scalp of sebum. You should follow this up with a lightweight balancing or volumizing hair moisturizer and concentrate more on the shaft of the hair as you work your way to the roots. This simple yet effective routine will ensure you have a moisturized scalp and less-greasy hair. Dry shampoos are also a great way to reduce excess oil between washes. Some of the best styling products for type 1 hair include root lifting mousses that add volume, heat protectant, lightweight oils, and serums that reduce frizz. Type 1 hair has a fine texture, low porosity, and most times low to medium density. Using too many or heavy products makes type 1 hair appear limp and greasy. Protein-based hair treatments help in absorption and retention of moisture.

Common Mistakes

• Using too much heat without heat protectant
• Over shampooing
• Use of heavy products
• Directly applying hair moisturizer to the scalp
• Avoiding clarifying treatments and deep conditioning

Best Practices

• Regularly wash the hair with a sulphate-free shampoo
• Ensure the brush you use has plastic, round prongs
• Occasionally, use a clarifying and volumizing shampoo and hair moisturizer
• Gently rub the scalp and squeeze the suds throughout the hair
• Avoid too much heat and tight styles

Type 2 Hair: Wavy Hair

The S-shaped pattern in wavy hair means that some but not most of the sebum from the scalp travels, albeit slowly, through the shaft of the hair. Here is how to care for type 2 hair.

Proper Hair Care Routine

You are likely to use more products with type 2 hair so as to make up for the low moisture and maintain a curl pattern. Wash your hair at most 3 times a week with a lightweight sulfate-free shampoo. Look for shampoos that also have frizz control. Use a silicone-free conditioner with formulas that have aloe vera for your weekly washes and a clarifying shampoo every month to remove product buildup. Focus the hair moisturizer and oils on the ends and along the length of the hair. Allow the hair to air dry or wrap it in a t-shirt instead of drying with a towel to reduce frizz. Apply your leave-in conditioner and use a diffuser on low setting or plop hair to get more defined curls. The best products to use include sea salt mousses, a hydrating hair treatment, and water-based products. Detangle the hair and work in small sections to maximize results.

Common Mistakes

• Dry brushing
• Using heavy creams
• Over coloring
• Over or under washing
• Brushing when wet
• Sleeping without covering the hair

Best Practices

• Detangle with a wide-tooth comb after applying the hair moisturizer
• Deep condition regularly
• Use lukewarm water when washing hair
• Reduce heat used in styling or drying

Type 3 Hair: Curly Hair

Type 3 hair looks as though it is naturally bouncy and beautiful, but this is far from the truth. The tight corkscrew or even the loose springy curl pattern of type 3 hair takes work to maintain. Here is how to get the bounce:

Proper Hair Care Routine

You should only wash your type 3 hair once or twice per week with a sulfate-free shampoo because overwashing it may result in dryness and subsequent frizz. The danger of having frizzy type 3 hair is that it will matt easily, and without careful detangling, will lead to significant breakage. Try washing your curly hair with conditioner only on some weeks to keep the hair refreshed and hydrated. Always use a heavy hydrating hair moisturizer and rinse it off with cool water. While your hair is still saturated with hair moisturizer, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle one section after the other gently. Use curling cream and leave-in hair moisturizer to define your curls and allow the hair to air dry. Hair treatments that work for type 3 hair include deep conditioning, protein, hot oil, and clarifying treatments. The ingredients to be on the lookout for in the type 3 hair products you use include shea butter, coconut oil, wheat protein, collagen, castor oil, and salicylic acid. For dense and highly porous type 3 hair, use the LOC method, which means you put the leave-in, then oil, and finally the cream.

Common Mistakes

• Overloading the hair with protein
• Brushing it when it's dry
• Skipping regular deep conditioning
• Using products that contain sulfates
• Rubbing wet hair with a towel

Best Practices

• Condition immediately after rinsing the shampoo
• Pat dry the hair with a microfiber towel
• Follow the LOC method after the wash
• Use creams and mousses to lock in moisture
• Sleep on a silk pillow

Type 4 Hair: Coily Hair

Type 4 hair is quite fragile and can have different curl patterns, with the most prevalent one being the zigzag pattern. Coily hair requires extra care to reduce breakage and prioritize length retention. Here is how you will do it:

Proper Hair Care Routine

Type 4 hair should be washed once per week with a sulphate-free shampoo. Ensure that you apply hair moisturizer first before shampooing. This will allow you to detangle the hair, with your fingers or a detangling comb, without causing too much breakage. This pre-poo treatment also enables other products to penetrate the hair better and nourish it from the root. After rinsing the shampoo, use a thick hair moisturizer and allow it to sit on the hair for a few minutes. Lock in the moisture with a heavy cream and an oil. The LOC method works wonderfully for type 4 hair as it seals in the moisture and keeps the hair soft and easier to style.

Common Mistakes

• One common mistake is neglecting moisture
• Frequent combing or tight styles
• Using products with drying alcohols
• Using heavy butters without starting with a hair moisturizer

Best Practices

• Apply shampoo to the scalp only when washing hair
• Trim every 12 weeks
• Layering the right products
• Deep condition weekly
• Reduce frequent use of heat

Universal Hair Care Tips

While different hair types have different needs, some hair care tips apply to straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair.
1. Scalp Health: Healthy hair can only grow from a clean and healthy scalp. You want to ensure that you regularly remove any buildup as is recommended for your hair type. Always ensure that you massage your scalp for a few minutes, and this will promote blood circulation and hair growth.
2. Harsh Chemicals: Products containing sulphates, especially shampoos, are drying to all hair types. This is because they strip the scalp of its natural oils, leaving the hair without proper nourishment.
3. Trim Regularly: Trimming your hair every few weeks ensures that dry and damaged ends are removed and only healthy strands remain.
4. Use Heat Sparingly: For Rom type 1 to type 4 hair, it is advisable only to use heat minimally. When you do use heat, ensure that it is low and you apply a heat protector first.
5. Hair moisturizer: There is no two-ways about it, conditioning your hair is a must, and even more so if your hair is dense, low porosity, and easily tangles. Hair moisturizers add moisture to your strands and make them more manageable.

Tailoring Your Routine to Your Unique Hair Needs

Your hair type is determined genetically, but it is affected by your lifestyle choices and environment. It is therefore essential to tailor your hair care routine to the specific needs of your hair.
1. Climate: If you live in a dry climate then you want to up your hair moisture efforts to ensure that your hair is properly hydrated. Ensure that you use hydrating hair moisturizer and deep condition regularly to keep away frizz. 
2. Activity Levels: People who work out daily will usually need to wash their hair to clear it of the sweat. Over-shampooing your hair will make it dry, so try only to use a hair moisturizer half the time you wash your hair.
3. Color-Treated or Chemically Processed Hair: Hair treatments such as protein, nanoplastia, and keratin treatments are ideal in building strength for color-treated and chemically processed hair. This is because the composition of dyed or chemically processed hair will usually become drier and susceptible to breakage.
4. Age and Hormones: As we age, we produce less keratin, and this will result in thinner and drier hair. You can use products that work to make up for the change in hormones. Hair supplements are also a great way to maintain hair length and health.
Understanding your hair type is the first step to ensure that you get the best products to maintain healthy hair. By using the washing and styling tips above for each hair type, you will see notable changes that last longer. Generally, when your hair is hydrated and properly styled, you will enjoy healthy and vibrant hair daily.