Is your hair a tightly coiled masterpiece, defying gravity and growing upwards with a springy texture? If that’s so, you very likely have type 4 hair, often called black hair, natural hair, or afro hair.
Often misunderstood as “difficult,” these coils hold immense beauty and potential. They could be challenging yet stunning and versatile as they hold a world of opportunities, waiting to be explored. Intriguing as that may sound, it can be hard to figure out where to even begin.
Fear not dear friend, for this article is your key to unlocking the secrets of Type 4 hair. We’ll walk you through on how to identify your specific type 4 pattern, master moisture techniques embeded in a wash routine, and conquer styling like a pro. Get ready to transform your mane from frizzy to fabulous and celebrate your unique crown of curls. Let’s go!
What is type 4 hair?
Type 4 hair is often described as kinky, coily or afro textured hair, having the tightest curl pattern of all the curl types. This hair type is bouncy, stretchy, and versatile, meaning that it can be styled in a myriad of ways, leaving a lot of styling options available for type 4 hair naturals.
Type 4 hair can also be very dense and voluminous, often displaying a very significant amount of shrinkage. These qualities and more are more or less prominent depending on the subcategory.
Here are the sub-categories of type 4 hair:
4A- loose coils
Type 4A is voluminous but has the loosest coils among the three subcategories. It typically forms well-defined S-shaped curls that are about the size of a crochet needle. It is described as being medium size with loosely packed curls. This curl pattern falls in between the curly 3c hair, and the whole type 4 category, letting it be described as slightly curly coils.
The type 4A hair is soft to touch and has a fine texture. It retains more moisture, and tends to be easier to manage and style compared to 4b and 4c hair.
4B- Zig-zag
Their curl have a ziz-zag pattern. The 4b hair has a z-shaped curl pattern and a cottony texture. It’s more tightly packed, more dense, and more prone to dryness and breakage than 4a hair.
Though they are tighter than the 4A hair type, they are not as tightly packed as 4C.
4C- Tight coils
As the name implies, tight coils! This curl type has the tightest curl pattern of the curly hair types. The coils are very dense and wiry, and they may be fine and soft or coarse. They may range from tight coils, to springy ringlets of hair.
4c hair shrinks a lot and has minimal curl definition. It’s the most fragile of the 4a, 4b, and 4c hair types, making it extra prone to breakage, shrinkage and dryness. Due to it’s delicate and fragile nature, the 4c hair needs extra TLC. Stick around as we discuss the best hair care routine for type 4 hair in the next part of this article.
Hair care routine for type 4 hair
Just as other hair types, the type 4 hair needs a good hair care routine to thrive and be healthy.
Having troubles caring for your type 4 hair? Read through as we walk you through all you need to know about a healthy hair care routine for your type 4 hair.
Wash routine
1. Shampoo
Shampooing is a very vital part of a good type 4 hair routine. Using a sulfate free shampoo is best for this practice as it keeps your hair moisturized and prevents it from frizz, dryness, or irritation.
To shampoo, start by dampening the hair, divide it into smaller, workable sections, apply the shampoo to the sectioned parts of your scalp, and carefully massage the scalp using your finger tips.
After massaging, rinse off thoroughly with warm water. Be careful not to over-wash as this strips your hair off its natural oils. For type 4 hair, it is recommended that shampooing should take place every 1 to 2 weeks (weekly or biweekly).
2. Conditioning
The essence of conditioning is to help soften hair whilst replenishing the moisture that may have been lost during the shampoo process.
After shampooing, press a generous amount of your regular rinse-out conditioner onto your palms, and gradually massage it into your strands. Feel free to work your way up from the ends of your hair to the roots, massage for about a minute. Leave on for as long as recommended, and gently rinse out with warm water.
3. Deep Conditioning
Because this hair type is prone to dryness and breakage, deep conditioning becomes a life saver and a necessity for the thrival of the type 4, afro hair.
Deep conditioners, with their riche formulas, penetrate the hair shaft delivering much-needed hydration that regular conditioners can’t match. This combats dryness and frizz within the strands. They also strengthen the hair, repair damage within the cuticles, and add shine to the strands. This improves the overall health, elasticity, and, appearance of the hair.
In-between palms, rub your deep conditioning cream and apply onto hair. From your scalp, massage it in and work it down your strands. Let it sit on hair for the required number of minutes and then rinse out. Rinse hair thoroughly and use a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel to remove excess moisture.
Note: You can work in sections to make the application process easier, and you can also use a heat cap to make the penetration more effective.
4. Detangling
Proper detangling is a very important step when it comes to a healthy type 4 hair care routine.
Detangling hair helps to remove knots and tangles, thereby reducing hair breakage. Detangling hair protects your curls, strengthens them, and makes styling easier.
To detangling your type 4 hair, first part the hair into small sections and make sure the hair is damp. Apply a sizeable amount of detangling conditioner and apply to your strands. Next, using your detangling brush or wide toothed comb, gently detangle the hair, working your way up from the ends to the root. Do this continuously till you notice a smooth consistency.
5. Drying
What’s a wash day without proper drying?
While the idea of a blow dryer may sound great, it is not recommended or ideal because heat from the device can cause damage to the hair.
After a wash, it is recommended that you use a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt as they absorb excess moisture without ripping out your curls, while also keeping your definition intact.
6. Moisturize with the LOC method
The LOC is a moisturization method with LOC being an acronym for liquid, oil and cream, showing the order in which the products are to be applied. This method is important as it helps your curls stay moisturized for a longer time after a wash.
The first step involves hydrating hair with water or a water based product. Using a leave-in spray or a detangling spray is also ideal. Make sure the hair is damp, as this helps to soften it, allowing for easier penetration of the shaft when the oil comes in.
The application of oil helps to seal in the moisture from the liquid, while also retaining water applied. Examples of recommended oils are; coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, etc.
Lastly, apply a cream. This helps to close the hair cuticle preventing moisture from escaping. Creams you could use are; curling cream, moisturizing creams or sometimes natural ingredients like shea butter.
Styling routine
When it comes to natural hair, your styling routine is just as important as your wash or night time routine, if not more. Unlike other hair types, type 4 hair requires minimal manipulation and as a result, we need to wear our styles in much longer. That being said, the hairstyles you choose will either make or mar you, determining whether you have a fun time or not, on this journey to healthy hair.
The two main types of hairstyles suitable for type 4 hair are:
1. Protective styles
Protective hairstyles help to keep your hair tucked in and shielded away from unnecessary breakage caused by daily wear and tear. These hairstyles help to promote hair growth and stretch curls, aiding in length retention.
Protective styles help to take care of your edges, reducing tension and protecting your hair from damage caused by excessive styling. Some examples of protective hairstyles are; bantu knots, box braids, faux locs, flat twists, etc.
2. Low manipulation style
Low manipulation styles are hairstyles designed to minimize how much you touch (manipulate) and handle your hair. They are quick, simple, tension free, heat free, and perfect for any occasion. This often involves braids, twists, buns, or knots that can last for several days without needing to be redone. They’re a great way to protect your hair from damage caused by frequent styling and manipulation.
Night time routine
With type 4 hair, a night time routine is crucial as it helps increase the longevity of any hairstyle you have chosen to wear over your preferred period of time.
1. Tie hair with a scrunchie
That sounds like pie but certainly not! Tying your hair in a loose bun using a scrunchie definitely helps to keep your style in place while you sleep through the night. The loose bun also ensures there is no tension on the strands while the hair is being held in place.
2. Wear a silk bonnet
You wouldn’t want your hair looking all messy and dried out at dawn. Getting your hair all wrapped up is ideal for keeping type 4 hair fresh and moisturized.
Tucking your curls into your silk bonnet helps to lock in moisture, prevent frizz, and keep breakage at bay. For best results, it is ideal to add oil in hair before wearing a silk bonnet
3. Refresh in the morning
At dawn, it is advisable to refresh your style! This can simply be done by spritzing and re-moisturizing if necessary.
Fill an empty spray bottle with water and spritz in hair. Rub curl cream or leave-in moisturizer onto the strands and leave to air dry.
This simple practice helps to add moisture, and bring back life into your strands, while helping with length retention overall.
Conclusion
By understanding your hair’s unique needs and implementing a consistent care routine, you can unlock the full potential of your beautiful type 4 hair. Embrace experimentation, feel free to try things out and find what works best for you.
Remember to follow the tips given in this article as it applies to you. If you’re still struggling with an issue as regards your type 4 hair, we are here to help.
Have a question to aid ease in your journey? Don’t hesitate to drop it in the comment section.
And remember – healthy, happy hair is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the process of learning, loving, and rocking your gorgeous crown. Thanks for reading through! We hope to see you in our next article. Ciao.
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