In this article, you’ll learn about the different aspects of caring for Type 4 hair, whether it be what products to use, styling tips, and how to protect it!
Understanding Type 4 Hair: The Basics
First things first: how do we actually define Type 4 hair? It’s already been established that tight curls and coils make up this hair type, but there are also three different subcategories:
Type 4A
4A hair types are characterised by a more bouncy texture and a definite ‘S’ pattern to the strands.
Type 4B
4B types feature Z-shaped curls with more angular definition and are generally tighter and less voluminous.
Type 4C
When it comes to 4C types, you’re looking at the tightest coils possible with barely any visible curl.
Even though there’s quite a bit of variation between these three subcategories, they all share the same characteristics and are cared for in more or less the same way.
Essential Care
Next, it’s time to consider the key steps you need to take to look after this hair type. Type 4 hair is naturally drier and at a greater risk of breakages and shrinkage. This is because the tight structure makes it more difficult for your body’s natural scalp oils to travel down to the strands to condition them. For this reason, you need to take care to add that conditioning back in with the products you choose.
Here are the main elements you should be thinking about:
The Importance of Hydration
In many ways, hydrating the hair should be your main priority if you’re Type 4 for the reasons outlined above. Using a sulfate-free shampoo can be a game changer – regular shampoos strip your hair of their natural oils, which is already a problem for Type 4.
You should also be using a high-quality deep conditioner at least twice per week to combat the issue, and it’s a good idea to consider leave-in hair masks and butters once every now and then for an even greater conditioning effect.
The LOC Method
The LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method can be an invaluable strategy for those with Type 4 hair. Essentially, it’s a layering technique that you perform in a three-stage sequence.
You’ll begin with a liquid leave-in conditioner, then you’ll move on to an oil which helps to seal in moisture (oils like jojoba, argan, and castor are the most commonly used) and finally, a cream, which serves to lock everything in.
The process functions as an intensive moisturisation and hydration method for when your hair is feeling particularly dry and tired, or you can simply schedule one of these sessions every month or so.
Detangling
Given the special texture of Type 4 hair, you’ll also need to put effort into some sort of detangling routine – this hair type gets wrapped up and tangled very easily, so you don’t want to let a small problem grow larger and have to end up going to the salon to get it sorted out.
In a few simple steps, you can deal with it on your own. When your hair is damp having been washed and conditioned, use a wide-toothed comb and start slowly brushing through, working from the ends up to the roots. To prevent hurting yourself by pulling on the hair at the roots, hold your hair with your other hand a couple of inches up from where you’re brushing.
You can also apply detangling spray for an extra level of protection!
On Sleeping
Finally, caring for your Type 4 hair doesn’t end when you go to bed – there are provisions to be made for while you’re asleep to make sure your hair remains in good condition.
The goal is to both reduce friction which can lead to tangles, and prevent moisture loss. Regular cotton pillows can exacerbate both of these issues, so it’s best to switch to a silk pillowcase. Failing that, you can choose to wrap your hair in a scarf or bonnet at night to protect it from your bedding.
Image Credit: Pexels
Styling Safely
Before moving on to styling, it’s prudent to take measures to protect your hair before getting ready for the day. Here are some tips to make sure you don’t damage your hair as you style it:
Make Sure Your Hair Is Clean and Hydrated Before You Begin
It’s always important to start with a good base, and especially for Type 4 people, ensuring your hair has been properly washed and conditioned is key. Those with Type 4 hair typically need to use more products than people with other types, and so you want to ensure any residue from the previous day is removed before starting again. If not, this can exacerbate issues of dryness, frizz, and tangling.
Use a Scalp Spray
Scalp sprays are a good preventative measure for all hair types. They can be applied prior to styling, ensuring the scalp is properly moisturised during the day, and protected from the dryness styling products can create.
Be Careful With Tight Hair Styles
A major potential issue with Type 4 hair is that many of the hairstyles associated with it are very tight. This can lead to a problem called traction alopecia – a form of balding that occurs by damaging the hair follicle to the extent that it doesn’t grow back. In its early stage, traction alopecia can be reversed if the constant pulling force ceases, but in serious cases, permanent balding can occur. At this point, a hair transplant is the only option.
For these reasons, it’s best to avoid hairstyles that scrape the hair back into a tightly pulled position that causes a lot of tension – or at least only wear these styles very occasionally.
Great Type 4 Styles to Try
While you might not initially think so, there are a ton of different styling options for Type 4 hair: it’s simply about experimenting, getting creative, and discovering over time what best suits your subtype and overall aesthetic. Here are some styles you can try to figure that out:
The Afro Puff
The afro puff is a cute, quick and easy style most anyone with Type 4 hair can try. It involves brushing out your hair to the back of the head and then simply securing it with a hair band. It’s an excellent everyday choice that always looks great!
The Frohawk
The Frohawk is a great go-to if you really want to show off your hair type. A play on the traditional mohawk, it’s styled by gathering the hair into multiple sections, pinning the sides up, and letting the middle portion from front to back hang free.
Not many people rock this style, so try it out for yourself and see how it sits with you.
Wash and Go
Part of the beauty of Type 4 hair is that after you’ve washed, conditioned, and applied any protection, you’re good to go. Unlike other hair types, the way your hair naturally falls into a bouncy, voluminous mane with no effort is one of the biggest perks.
Feel free to not make any changes, and you’re still bound to get a ton of compliments!
Crocheted Braids
Crocheted hairstyles are unique, great-looking protective options people with Type 4 hair can try out. Unlike the tight, pulling styles described earlier which can seriously damage the hair and scalp, protective styles reduce the risk of damage and exposure to the natural elements that make managing this hair type difficult.
With crocheted braids, extensions are woven into your natural hair after it’s been cornrowed, and from here, your options for styling are almost limitless!
Bantu Knots
Bantu Knots are a super-cute, super-fun style anyone with Type 4 hair can try out. The finished look is comprised of multiple small bundles of hair situated two or so inches apart from one another, and it’s achieved by dividing the hair into sections and twisting each section into a knot.
The Bantu knot style also has a lot of versatility – you can then unravel the knots after they’ve been in for a while for springy, flowing, volume.
Box Braids
Box braids always look trendy. They work by dividing the hair and segmenting it in a way whereby the scalp resembles a square grid. From the centre of each square emanates a braid.
Box braids are another style famed for their versatility; there is a myriad of different styles, segmentations, and colours that can be used to really make this look pop!
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now have some useful tips and strategies for managing this hair type. While it can seem like a curse initially because of the comparative extra work it needs versus other hair types, once you get things right, Type 4 hair is one of the most unique, beautiful blessings you could have been given!
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