Did you know that there is a system for categorizing hair types, from nail-straight to tightly curly? It is based on structure, shape and volume, and is divided into four main types:
- Type 1 - Straight
- Type 2 - Wavy
- Type 3 - Curly
- Type 4 - Curly
The four categories then have additional subcategories. What is a hair type? Your hair type is largely determined by genetics, most notably by the shape of your hair follicles. If the hair follicle is round, the hair grows out straight, while a more oval or asymmetrical shape makes the hair curly or curly. It is the shape of the hair follicle that determines how your hair naturally grows. Although the type of hair is basically hereditary, the appearance of the hair can be influenced by both external and internal factors. Heat tools and chemical treatments, such as shaving permanent or bleaching, can temporarily alter the structure of the hair. Even hormonal changes, such as during puberty, pregnancy or menopause, can cause hair to change. For example, it is not uncommon for women to have more curly or wavy hair after a pregnancy. What counts as long hair? What counts as long hair can vary depending on who you ask, but generally long hair is defined as when they start below the shoulders.
How thick is a hair?
The thickness of a hair varies depending on the type of hair you have and is influenced by factors such as genetics, ethnicity and hormones. Typically, a strand of hair is between 0.04 and 0.12 millimeters thick. Asian hair is often coarser than both African and European hair.
Why do I need to know my hair type?
Knowing your hair type is the key to healthier and stronger hair. Not all shampoos, conditioners or styling products work for everyone, what is perfect for a wavy hair type can weigh down a straight hair or frizz up a curly hair. How do you know what type of hair you have? By identifying your hair type, you can tailor a routine that helps your hair reach its full potential and in order for us to offer the best possible results in our treatments, it is crucial for us to understand the structure, structure and variations of hair. So what hair type do I have? Below we go over the four main types and their unique characteristics.
Hair type 1 — Straight hair
Straight hair, also called hair type 1, is the most shiny of all hair types. This is due to the fact that the sebum from the scalp can easily spread along the entire length of the hair, giving it a natural shine. Straight hair lacks natural curls and often lies flat against the scalp. Despite being more resistant to damage than curly hair types, it can become greasy quickly, especially if the hair is thin. There are three subcategories of straight hair:
- Type 1A: Nail straight, very fine and thin. This unusual hair type is most common in women of Asian descent and can quickly become oily. Hair is straight even when it is damp outside and it can be difficult to curl.
- Type 1B: Straight but with a little more volume. The strands are slightly thicker than in 1A and have a medium-coarse texture that allows the hair to be shaped more easily.
- Type 1C: Straight, coarse and thick hair that can feel frizzy or disheveled when damp or self-drying. May contain some waves, but is mostly straight.
How to care for straight hair
Choose the right shampoo and conditioner
Avoid shampoos with strong sulfates that can overstimulate sebum production. Instead, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo and a light conditioner to nurture the tops without weighing down your hair. Use oils for the prevention of dry tops and frizz.
Avoid washing too often
Wash your hair regularly, every two or three days, so as not to dry out the scalp and trigger overproduction of oil.
Protect when styling
Straight hair is susceptible to heat damage. Always use heat protection when blow-drying, flattening or curling your hair.
Give volume
Use texture spray, dry shampoo or mousse at the roots to avoid the hair looking flat. Especially types 1A and 1B may need extra help to get lift at the scalp. Use a pighair brush or wide-toothed comb to spread the hair's natural oils without tearing the hairs, especially if you have long hair. Brush twice a day.
Type 2: Wavy hair
Wavy hair, or hair type 2, is characterized by its natural “S” -shaped waves, an elegant intermediate form between straight and curly. This type of hair often has a beautiful, vibrant texture that can range from soft and subtle to clearly defined waves. Unlike straight hair, wavy hair has more volume and movement, but it is not as curl-prone as type 3 hair. It can also be more prone to becoming frizzy, especially in humid environments, and often has mixed porosity, which affects how hair absorbs and retains moisture. Subcategories in wavy hair:
- Type 2A: Thin and slightly wavy hair with weak “S” waves. Easy to style straight or curly.
- Type 2B: More marked waves with some frizz. The waves are clear but the hair is still relatively light in structure.
- Type 2C: Thick and coarse wavy hair in which the waves often begin already at the scalp. Most prone to frizziness within the type 2 group. Forms well with your fingers.
How to care for wavy hair
To get the best out of your natural waves, it's important to use products that accentuate the pattern without weighing down your hair.
Use lightweight products
Choose a light leave-in conditioner and avoid heavy creams or oils. Wavy hair is otherwise at risk of losing its shape.
Apply to wet hair
When the hair is wet, the products can be distributed evenly without weighing down the strands. It helps the waves to form naturally.
Squeeze the waves
After applying products, gently squeeze the hair with your hands or a microfiber towel to reinforce the wave pattern.
Use diffuser when blow-drying
How to get wavy hair? A diffuser on the hair dryer helps to shape the shape of the waves and gives volume without creating frizz.
Protect your hair overnight
Sleep with a satin scarf, nightcap or satin bedding to reduce friction and preserve the waves.
Renew the waves between washes
Freshen up your hair by spraying a little water and using mousse or gel. Do not comb out the hair when it is dry, it can spoil the wave pattern.
Type 3: Curly hair
How do you know if you have curly hair? Curly hair, or hair type 3, is characterized by spiral-like curls with clear definition and natural volume. This type of hair varies from large, loose curls to tight and springy spirals. Each curl has its own pattern, which makes the hair both vibrant and expressive, but also more prone to dryness, frizz and tangles.Curly hair for girls tends to be drier than other hair types because natural oils from the scalp have a harder time getting out along the curled hairs. As a result, this type of hair often requires extra moisture and gentle handling to preserve its structure. Subcategories in curly hair:
- Type 3A: Large, loose and glossy curls. They are easier to style and have a natural definition, but can easily become frizzy in case of moisture.
- Type 3B: Medium to tight, springy curls with more volume. This type is often more textured and requires extra moisture. Pulled out the curls, they retain their shape.
- Type 3C: Dense, small and thick curls with a lot of volume and structure. Hair is coarse and often has a natural “bounce”, and is most prone to dryness and frizz within the Type 3 category.
How to care for curly hair
Curly hair needs love, moisture and the right products to maintain their beautiful shapes without becoming frizzy or tangled.
Brush your hair wet - from top to bottom
Use a wide-toothed comb and start at the very ends of the tops. Then work your way up gently. Avoid brushing your hair when it is dry, as it spoils the curl pattern and increases frizz.
Deep-conditioning regularly
Give your hair a moisture boost every week with a deep action mask designed for curly hair. It helps moisturize and soften dry hairs.
Wipe gently
Replace the terry towel with an old T-shirt or microfiber towel to avoid friction that creates frizz.
Use the right products
Bet on sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner for curly hair. Light creams, leave-in products and gels help define and hold curls in place.
Cut your hair regularly
Curly hair is more prone to split ends. Regular haircuts keep hair healthy and reduce frizz.
Sleep smart
Protect your curls by gathering your hair in a loose tassel high on your head and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce wear.
Revive the curls
Mix water with a little leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle and spray on hair between washes to moisturize and shape curls.
Type 4: Curly hair
Curly hair, also called hair type 4, is strong, expressive and full of character. This type of hair consists of very tight curls, spirals or zickzack-shaped patterns that are often not visible without styling. It is the most fragile hair type and therefore requires extra care to preserve its strength, elasticity and moisture balance. Curly hair for girls has a unique structure that makes it particularly prone to dryness, as sebum from the scalp has difficulty traveling down the tightly spun hairs. Hair can also shrink greatly in length as it dries, sometimes up to 75% of its actual length. Therefore, hydration, protective styling and gentle handling are absolutely essential for type 4 hair. Subcategories in curly hair:
- Type 4A: Soft, tightly spun curls with a visible and defined curl pattern. Hair is elastic and resilient, but often shrinks to half its wet length. Retains moisture well but needs to be moisturized frequently.
- Type 4B: Curls that form a “Z” pattern rather than spirals. Less defined curls with high density and a lot of volume.
- Type 4C: Extremely dense and frizzy hair with almost no visible curl pattern. The hair is often coarse, very sensitive and has maximum shrinkage.
How to care for curly hair
Prioritize moisture
Use moisturizing shampoo and a nourishing balm. Products with heavy ingredients such as shea butter, castor oil, or coconut oil often work best.
Deep-conditioning regularly
Give your hair an intense hydration with deep conditioning and preferably steam treatment once a week. It helps to open up the hair shaft and let in moisture.
Wash with a focus on the scalp
Gently massage the scalp when shampooing to cleanse and stimulate without drying out the lengths.
Protect hair with proper styling
Use protective hairstyles such as braids, twists or flexi-rod sets. They reduce wear and tear and help preserve moisture.
Use leave-in conditioner
Finish each wash with a light leave-in conditioner or cream to encapsulate the moisture and define the curls.
Sleep with protection
Protect your hair at night with a satin scarf, silk cap or satin pillowcase to reduce friction, frizz and moisture loss.
Hair Porosity - How Your Hair Retains Moisture
Hair porosity is about how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture, something that affects everything from how your hair reacts to products to how it dries after a shower. There are three levels of porosity: low, medium and high. Porosity is primarily determined by the outer layer of the hair, the so-called scaly layer (cuticle), and can be genetic but also influenced by heat, chemicals and environmental factors. Understanding your hair porosity is an important key to choosing the right products and procedures for your particular hair.
- Low porosity: The mountain layer lies tightly closed. Hair takes a long time to get soaked through and tends to repel products.
- Medium porosity: Hair absorbs moisture in a balanced way. It is usually easy to handle and reacts well to most products.
- High porosity: The scaly layer is open or damaged. Hair absorbs moisture quickly, but also loses it quickly, which can lead to dryness and frizz.
Test your hair porosity with the flow test
An easy way to get an idea of your hair porosity is to do the so-called floating test. Here's how it goes:
- Take a clean, dry strand of hair (without products) from your head.
- Fill a glass or bowl with water at room temperature.
- Place the hair in the water and wait for 2-5 minutes.
Interpretation of the result:Please note that the float test is not an exact science, factors such as product residues, the weight of the hair and the temperature of the water can affect the result. But it can still give a good indication of how your hair is working. For a more reliable result, you can also observe how quickly your hair dries after the shower, how easily it absorbs products and how it behaves in different climates.
- High porosity: The hair sinks quickly to the bottom — it absorbs water instantly.
- Medium porosity: The hair descends slowly — it absorbs water at the right rate.
- Low porosity: The hair stays on the surface — it has difficulty absorbing water.
What role do hair types play in our work?
When we perform a Hair Transplant it is crucial to understand what type of hair you have. Different types of hair, straight hair, wavy, curly or curly hair, differ not only in appearance, but also in how the hair follicles grow and how coarse the hairs on the head can be. These factors influence how we plan and implement an intervention. How the hair follicle is positioned and angled differs greatly between different hair types. In people with hair type 1 (straight hair), we extract grafts straight from above with a very thin drill, because the growth of the hairs is straight and even. In someone with hair type 3, where curly hair grows in a spiral, we use a slightly larger drill and follow the shape of the curls to avoid damage to the hair follicle. In the case of very dense and curly hair, such as type 4B or 4C, where the thickness of the hairs is uneven and the curls are tight, we sometimes test drill 2-3 grafts before deciding whether the transplant is possible.Since different types of curls require different techniques, we need to have complete knowledge of your hair structure. This is why we always make a careful assessment of your hair type in conjunction with a consultation. Are you curious about what type of hair you have, or do you just want to get a better understanding of your hair and how hormonal changes can affect, for example, curly hair? Then you are warmly welcome to book an appointment with us.
