Black Hair Magic

Type 4 Hair Care

Type 4 hair, often referred to as coily or kinky hair, is a unique and diverse hair type characterized by its tight and intricate coil patterns. This hair type can be divided into three distinct subcategories: 4A, 4B, and 4C, each having its unique textures and care requirements. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the world of type 4 hair, providing you with an in-depth understanding of its characteristics, how to care for it, and tips to keep it healthy and vibrant.

What’s Your Type 4 Hair Pattern?

At first glance, type 4 hair might appear as an unmanageable mass of tight curls. However, upon closer examination, its unique texture reveals a spongy hair texture that can range from soft and fine to rough and coarse, depending on individual hair thickness.

According to the universal hair typing system, type 4 hair is further divided into three subcategories: 4A, 4B, and 4C. Each subtype exhibits its unique traits, contributing to the diverse beauty that is type 4 hair.

Type 4A Hair

Type 4A hair showcases densely packed, S-shaped coils, similar in size to a standard crochet needle. When these spirals are loosened, they can pass as type 3C hair, demonstrating the versatility of this hair type.

Due to the distinctive ringlets of type 4A hair, the scalp’s natural oils often find it challenging to travel down the hair shaft towards the ends. As a result, type 4A hair typically struggles with dryness. To combat this, it’s recommended to use hair products devoid of sulfates and parabens, which can further deplete your hair’s natural oils. Instead, opting for gentle, moisturizing products like a leave-in conditioner can dramatically boost your hair’s hydration levels.

Type 4B Hair

In contrast with the S-patterned 4A hair, type 4B hair presents more of a zig-zag pattern, making it distinct from other curly hair types.

Given the sharp angles of type 4B hair, it’s unsurprising that this kinky hair type also grapples with a lack of moisture. Over time, this lack of moisture can lead to dry, frizzy coils. To combat this, type 4B hair can benefit from hydrating hair serums that help lock in moisture, enhancing your hair’s appearance while minimizing tangles and breakage.

Type 4C Hair

Type 4C hair, flaunts tight, spring-like coil. It’s giving old-school phone cords.

With its ultra-tight curl pattern, 4C hair is prone to form knots and snarls, making it the most fragile among natural hair types. Extreme dryness and shrinkage also make type 4C hair a pattern that requires the utmost care and attention.

Caring for Type 4 Hair

Type 4A, 4B and 4C hair has to be cared for in a specific way that allows it to stay moist with a beautiful texture. This guide will help you care for your type 4 hair to keep it looking stunning day-in, day-out:

Pre-Poo Your Hair

Many Type 4s find the doing a pre-poo before shampooing provides additional moisture and helps to detangle the hair. Using oil or conditioner, saturate the hair and then leave it for 30 minutes before washing. Some common products are:

• Avocado Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Almond Oil
• Argan Oil
• Aloe Vera
• Mango Butter

Focus on Scalp While Shampooing

Whether you have 4A, 4B or 4C hair, you want to focus on the scalp. 4A hair gets tangled easily while 4C hair is quite fragile – so don’t do the typical thing of piling your hair on top of your head and scrunching the shampoo in.

Wet your hair by letting the water run over it, and make sure it’s fully saturated. Just apply whatever product you’re using onto your fingertips and put them under your hair so you’re going straight for the scalp. When rinsing – again – don’t get your ends involved. Some of the best shampoos for Type 4 hair are:

Whether you have 4A, 4B or 4C hair, you want to focus on the scalp. 4A hair gets tangled easily while 4C hair is quite fragile – so don’t do the typical thing of piling your hair on top of your head and scrunching the shampoo in.

Wet your hair by letting the water run over it, and make sure it’s fully saturated. Just apply whatever product you’re using onto your fingertips and put them under your hair so you’re going straight for the scalp. When rinsing – again – don’t get your ends involved. Some of the best shampoos for Type 4 hair are:

• The Wild Curl Gentle Cleansing Curly Shampoo
• Mixed Chicks Sulfate Free Shampoo
• Cantu Sulfate Free Cream Shampoo
• Alikay Naturals Moisturising Black Soap Shampoo
• Briogeo Scalp Revival Microexfoliating Shampoo
• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrezzing Shampoo
• SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow and Restore Shampoo

Only shampoo once, and then use conditioner to get rid of the rest of the dirt and residue. Apply it to your scalp and down through to your ends. Then, rinse it like you would a shampoo.

Condition and Detangle

When you condition and detangle, you can also use this step to gently wash your hair. So, if you need to wash your hair more than once a week, then simply use your conditioner to clean it.

Be sure to avoid using conditioners with silicones; eventually, you’ll have to use a clarifying shampoo at some point to get rid of the build-up – so, it’s best to just avoid ‘cones altogether. Some of the best conditioners for type 4 hair are:

• DevaCurl One Conditioner
• Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner
• EDEN Bodyworks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner
• Curly Coily Tresses Nourish Treatment
• Ouidad Curl Immersion Deep Condition

Air-Dry Whenever Possible

Avoid using heat when it comes to drying 4A, 4B or 4C hair. This will only dry it out and stop your texture from shining for as long as it usually would.

Use the LOC Method to Style

The LOC Method is used by just about every person with Type 4 hair to retain moisture and have beautifully textured hair. LOC stands for:

1. Liquid: hydrate your hair with water
2. Oil: use oil to retain that moisture (coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil are hair penetrating oils that are best for the LOC Method)
3. Creme: use cream or a leave-in conditioner to seal the cuticle

Mix It Up If You Have Low Porosity Hair

If you have low porosity hair, then you’ll want to mix up the LOC Method. You can tell the porosity of your head by dropping a strand in water. If it floats, your hair is low porosity; if it sinks, it’s high porosity. So, low porosity hair should switch the last two steps:

1. Liquid
2. Creme
3. Oil

Best Curl Creams for Type 4 Hair

Stick to creams when it comes to styling 4A, 4B or 4C hair. These are the best curl cremes for styling type 4 hair:

• Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream
• Pantene Gold Series Curl Defining Pudding Cream
• OBIA Naturals Curl Moisture Cream
• Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
• Camille Rose Naturals Curl Moisture Milk
• Curl Junkie Beauticurls Leave-In Hair Conditioner
• TGIN Butter Cream

Nurturing Type 4 Hair: 5 Quick Tips

Given its unique characteristics and challenges, type 4 hair requires a specialized care routine to thrive. Here are key tips for maintaining healthy type 4 hair:

1.    Avoid Harmful Ingredients

Steer clear of hair products containing sulfates and parabens. These harmful ingredients strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dry, brittle strands. Opt for a clarifying, sulfate-free shampoo to clear away product buildup without drying your hair.

2.    Master the Art of Detangling

Detangling type 4 hair requires patience and precision. Whether you prefer using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, the golden rule is to go slow and steady, avoiding painful snags and unnecessary breakage.

3.    Dry Wisely

When drying type 4 hair, opt for heatless methods to prevent thermal damage. Use a microfiber towel to gently squeeze out excess water, then let your hair air-dry. If you must use a blow-dryer, always apply a heat protectant beforehand and use the lowest heat setting.

4.    Embrace Moisture

Moisturizing is a non-negotiable component of caring for type 4 hair. Whether it’s through deep conditioning or daily leave-in conditioning, hydrating products are vital for maintaining soft, healthy, and frizz-free coils. The LOC (Leave-In conditioner, Oil, Cream) method is a popular technique for sealing moisture into type 4 hair.

5.    Night Care is Key

What you do at night matters. Protect your hair by putting it up in a loose style (like a pineapple), and cover it with a silk or satin scarf to prevent tangles and frizz. Additionally, switch to satin or silk pillowcases to minimize friction.

Unleashing the Beauty of Type 4 Hair

Type 4 hair, with its tight curls and coils, is a testament to the beauty and versatility of afro hair. Its unique texture allows for a wide range of hairstyles, from protective styles like cornrows and Bantu knots to creative updos and wash-and-go styles.

In the world of hair care, understanding your hair type is the first step toward achieving healthy, luscious locks. Remember, your hair is unique, and what works best for others might not work best for you. Experiment with different techniques and products, document your hair’s reactions, and develop a hair care routine that caters to your specific needs.

With proper care and the right products, your type 4 hair can shine in all its glory, showcasing its unique beauty to the world. So, embrace your curls, care for them with love, and let the world see the beauty of your type 4 hair.