I am happy to see you have come back for another post on the Curls U Blog! I did not expect so much love and appreciation when we made our first post, which I suggest you check it out if you haven't done so already, but I just want to say that we definitely value each and every one of you that take the time to read!
Today, I wanted to write about hair types and the emphasis of understanding these common hair patterns, as we, Curls U, are based on the importance of learning to love and care for your natural hair. An additional reason why I was so compelled to write about this was due to the fact that we sometimes find ourselves, or our peers, believing they know everything about natural hair because they've mastered their own, but that is simply not the case. In other circumstances, I think it's key to educate yourself about various hair types because some individuals may not know their hair type or the kind of products that are best for their hair because of misinformation or the lack of research. But before I begin, I cannot stress enough that every hair type and curl pattern is unique and that one is not superior to another!
Hair Textures
We are all born with a specific hair texture but this may change over the span of our lifetime. The amount of curl, or lack thereof, ultimately depends on the, "...the number of disulfide bonds between hair proteins found in the hair shaft, " according to Curls, a very popular and highly recommended brand known for their natural hair products. This simply means that the greater the number of links the curlier, and the fewer the straighter the hair.
The Creation of Curls
Hair is mainly composed of keratin and other proteins that grow from the follicle. Additional proteins are created within the hair follicle as well. All of these become apart of the hair shaft and contain this special thing called sulfur atoms. When these two beauties pair and bond together, they form the disulfide bond, and once these two atoms have the same protein at a particular distance and join to form the bond, this protein will bend. And alas, a curl is born!
Textures
Ah, textures! My favorite part! Before I get into the types of straight and wavy hair textures, I wanted to get into a very important topic called....drum roll please....texturism! Texturism in the natural hair community is based on the idea that certain types of natural hair patterns are far more desirable than others. This idea alone, and anyone who believes the same, is outright disgusting and is the very reason a lot of women and non-binary folk are insecure about their natural hair. That doesn't even include how colorism and texturism have intertwined to create this false image and representation of natural Black women and non-binary, but we'll have to save that conversation for another time. Though this concept was not created by Black people, we have definitely preserved and maintained it within our own community. I, for one, have seen, heard, and experienced the effects of texturism and the sense of uncomfortability and disgust you feel because you don't fit those ideals. So before I indulge in hair textures, I, once again, just want to make an important note that not one of these hair types are superior to another. Every woman, man, and non-binary should be allowed to love every kink and coil, or lack thereof, without this idea that society or their peers will judge them. There is no such thing as a specific hair type being determined as "good hair" because all hair is good hair! I also want to state that loving your natural hair is easier said than done, but as I mentioned in the previous blog post, self-love takes time.
Now that I have said my piece, let's jump into it!
Straight and Wavy Hair Textures
Straight hair is described as a 1 in the spectrum of hair types. This hair type reflects the most sheen and is also the most resilient. Due to the sebum, which produces natural oils from the scalp to the ends, it is deemed to not only be the oiliest hair texture, but it is also difficult to damage and nearly impossible to curl.
On the other hand, wavy hair is deemed as hair type 2. This type of hair is between the straight and curly hair that imparts sheen less than straight hair, but more than curly hair. And notice the further you go down the spectrum, the less sheen the hair will impart. Though wavy is more prone to frizz, Type A can alternate between straight and curly styles, whereas Type B and C wavy hair is resistant to styling.
Hair Types: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C
Curly Hair Textures
Curly hair is defined as Type 3 hair. The strands of Type 3 hair are very much known for their definite S shape, showing as a lower case "s" or an upper case "S," with or without product. The curls sometimes mimic a Z, but overall the hair type is full-bodied, damage-prone, and climate-dependent. So if for some reason there is a lack of proper care, this can often render dull curls.
Hair Types: 3A, 3B
Very, Very Curly Hair Textures
At the end of the Type 3 hair spectrum, there is the very curly hair pattern that is classified as 3C. This is made up of tight coils with volume and a lot of strands tightly packed to create this specific texture. 3C was created when it became very obvious that there was a mixture between 3B and 4A, as they are much tighter in circumference. But with these curls, there is, of course, tight curls and amplified volume with densely packed strands that are borderline kinky hair.
Fun Fact: Most women and non-binary can have two different hair textures at various parts of their heads.
Hair Types: 3C
Kinky Coily Hair Textures
Last but not least, we have Type 4 hair, also known as kinky and coily hair.
Fun Fact: That's my type, baby that's my type!
Despite the overlapping misconceptions, this tightly coiled hair is fine and fragile, delicate by nature with each strand usually having a zig-zag pattern. This hair type is the driest hair type so it is more prone to breakage and requires more attention. One of the worst misbeliefs about this hair type is that it doesn't grow. Kinky hair, like all the others, grows at the same exact rate. But this does depend on if the hair is treated accordingly because if not, it will break. It must be cleansed gently and detangled softly.
Furthermore, coily hair is the subset of the kinky hair family. From the outer appearance, this hair type may seem robust, but it is the most fragile of all the textures because it contains the fewest cuticle layers to protect from dryness. It is also defined as fine, thin, and coarse while densely packed into coils. The biggest challenge with coily hair is there is often dryness, shrinkage, breakage, and a lack of definition. But the upside is you can always rock those beautiful coils if you take the right steps of hair care and products that do not dry.
Hair Types: 4A, 4B, 4C
In all, I hope that you have learned a little more about the types of natural hair and the true beauty that each of them holds. It's important to educate yourself about these things because I believe the more you learn about it, the more you accept it, and the more you value your hair as well as yourself. It is more than okay to try new things with your hair especially if you aren't sure where you lie on the spectrum of hair types. As long as you are doing what makes you happy, that's all that matters.
xoxo,
Kamea