When you know the type of hair you have, your entire hair care routine will be totally different. Type 4 hair, or kinky or coily hair, falls into the three sub-categories of 4A, 4B, and 4C. Each of these has its own distinct characteristics that determine how you should care for, style, and look after your hair. Today, we will inform you of the differences between the three and let you choose under which one your hair falls.
Understanding 4A Hair
4A hair has soft, noticeable coils that have a diameter approximately equal to that of a crochet needle. The hair will then have the most open pattern of curling among all the members of the Type 4 and thus will be the most manageable of all of them. 4A hair coils are springy and well-defined and have a pen spring diameter.
This hair is more moisturized than 4B or 4C hair because the looser curl pattern allows natural oils to travel further down the hair shaft. 4A hair is extremely shiny and may appear to be denser due to the well-defined coil pattern. 4A hair is much longer when stretched and will easily spring back once released.
Understanding 4B Hair
4B is smaller than 4A, with coils that spin in tight spirals rather than perfect spirals. A curl is roughly the same width as a thick marker or your index finger. There are fewer clumps of curls to be seen, and a “Z” shape if you hold one close up.
4B hair is finer than 4A hair and requires greater moisture to thrive. With very close angles in the hair shaft, the hair is more susceptible to breakage, especially where the hair curves and turns direction. This hair will shrink drastically—75% of its actual length—and even look denser than it actually is.
Understanding 4C Hair
4C hair is nearest to the root and has curls that are so tightly wound they’re typically effectively invisible to the naked eye. The circumference of the curl is typically pencil thin or even less. This is the most fragile hair texture and must be handled most gently and most deeply moisturized.
4C hair shrinks the most and is typically only 25% of its actual length when dry. The close coil pattern does not permit natural oil to flow easily down the hair shaft, and the hair is therefore brittle and dry. 4C hair is very versatile to style and offers wonderful volume and texture if properly cared for.
Key Differences at a Glance
The main difference between all these textures of hair is the definition and size of curls, fragility, and moisture levels. Hair type 4A possesses the largest and most defined curls and higher moisture retention levels. Hair type 4B possesses medium-sized coils with a zigzag formation and medium moisture levels. Hair type 4C possesses the least defined and smallest coils and the highest moisture levels.
Shrinkage also varies greatly among these textures. 4A hair shrinks 25-50%, 4B hair 50-75%, and 4C hair 75% or more of its actual length. Understanding your hair’s shrinkage will enable you to have realistic expectations when styling and when approximating the length of your hair.
Taking Care of Your Hair Type
There is a particular manner to enhance the condition of every hair texture. A 4A hair invites long-term moisturizing and gentle detangling processes. 4B hair requires extra moisturizing and protective styling for it to experience minimal breakage on the curled sections. 4C hair requires extensive moisture treatment for health and preservation of length, and protective styling to experience minimal breakage.
Regardless of your own hair texture, consistent moisturizing, gentle handling, and protective styling will enable you to keep your hair healthy and beautiful, and will help you get the most from the natural beauty of your own texture.