Hair Type Chart: How to Determine Your Actual Hair Type

what's my hair type

Kenneth’s commitment to transparency, quality, and empowerment has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field, empowering readers to confidently embrace their natural beauty. If you want more curl definition, try to twirl tiny sections of curls around your finger when your hair is damp. Prior to examining your hair, be sure that it has been recently washed (rinsed in cold water) and doesn’t have any hair products applied to it. The general thought (according to the LOIS hair typing system) is that a piece of thread is approximately the size of a medium-sized strand of hair. Since your locks are the most delicate, your natural hair texture will benefit from following the LOC, LOCO, or LCO method (which stand for liquid, oil, and cream).

what's my hair type

Shop type 3 hair products

It's also worth noting that demi-permanent dye has limited lightening properties. It can enhance your natural color (or darken it), but it won't lift the color significantly. Demi-permanent hair dye blends the characteristics of both permanent and semi-permanent options, resulting in a medium-term hair color. Maintaining a semi-permanent color requires more frequent application than a permanent color.

what's my hair type

What types of hair are there?

Luckily, we tapped some of our favorite professionals—April Allen, Laura Gibson, and Tatiana Ramos—to break down everything you need to know about the five hair color types and how to use them. When you're looking for a change in life, switching up your hair color is a surefire way to get yourself in a new head space—literally and figuratively. But you can't simply slap on some dye and pray for the best, or hop into the salon chair with your fingers crossed. No, it's important to understand what you want and the best type of dye to get you there—because, news flash, not all dyes are created equal, and not all dyes will give you the desired effect. Understanding the factors that contribute to hair type, such as genetics, can provide insights into its texture, thickness, and overall characteristics. There are two modern systems for identifying the type of hair you have, the L.O.I.S hair typing system and the Andre Walker hair typing system.

Key Factors in Determining Hair Type

And if you have baby-fine, straight hair, just like this model does and find your locks can’t hold curls as well, you’ve got 1A hair. Hair type can vary slightly across different sections of your scalp. For example, some people might have straight hair near the crown (top of their head) and wavy strands around the hairline.

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While for most people, sleeping with wet hair is unlikely to cause serious health risks, there are some potential risks to consider. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s completely normal to shed anywhere between 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. However, if you’ve noticed more strands falling out of your head than normal, you may be experiencing alopecia, the medical term for hair loss. Common diagnoses include androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and lymphocytic scarring alopecia, Agbai tells USA TODAY. Despite being called permanent, the color can still fade over time, especially with exposure to sun, chlorine, or harsh haircare products.

Type 3 hair grows from hair follicles that are bent or asymmetrical, forming loose to tight spiral or corkscrew-shaped curls. This type appears straight when wet, but as the hair dries, the curls return. Type 3 hair is voluminous but tends to become dry and requires more frequent moisturization. It is straight, with no waves or curls from root to tip, is soft, and has a sleek and shiny appearance. Type 1 hair tends to become oily quickly, so experts recommend washing type 1 hair once every three days.

This can save you money during the trial-and-error period of finding the right product for your hair. She adds that some chemicals, such as those in smoothing treatments and bleach, are very strong and can cause skin damage by burning the scalp. This chemical burn can destroy hair roots, which can create an area of complete hair loss. She suggests that you pick a strand out of your hairbrush and hold it between your fingers. If it’s coarse, it should be quite noticeable, like holding a piece of thread.

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When doing so, Matais-Bernard recommends “keeping your detangling brush and sectioning clips handy” for extra ease. This styling method should be done more frequently to keep this coily texture soft and pliable. It's a lot to think about, sure, but we tapped three industry curl experts to break down some of the finer points of the typing categories. Whether you've got soft bends cascading down your back or tight coils blossoming towards the heavens, there's an easy way to identify exactly what's going on up top. Follow our easy tip sheet below (complete with recommendations for the best products for your curl type) so you can be well on your way to becoming a curl-typing pro. Key characteristics of Type 4A natural hair are miniature, tightly-coiled strands that still maintain a visible S-shape curl pattern, much like the model above.

Quizzes

For curly hair, maintaining moisture is crucial to prevent frizz and breakage. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a hydrating conditioner or hair mask regularly. When styling, apply a leave-in conditioner or curl-defining cream to damp hair, then use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle. Dry your hair using a diffuser or let it air dry naturally to preserve the curl pattern and avoid frizz. Embrace your hair’s natural corkscrew shape by avoiding excessive manipulation. Determining your hair type will help you figure out how to handle, cut and style your hair more effectively.

The cuticle is so dry and open that it becomes like little fish hooks that catch on each other and break when you take out the braids,” Castillo said. People with 2C hair may be frustrated with alternating between daily straightening, which can damage hair, and trying to find ways to enhance and control their waves. The good news is that many lightweight mousses now contain anti-humidity ingredients along with moisture. The key is to understand what each type needs so you can style it well and keep it healthy. This style can last six to eight weeks, which is customary for braids.

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Even though it's not technically a "curl," it does require similar care to type 3 hair, as it's more dry than types 2a and 2b. 2b looks like relaxed waves and often has a very defined S-wave shape—even without the need for styling. While the roots are fairly straight, if you have 2B hair, you'll find that your wave pattern makes an appearance starting at the mid-length and continues through to the ends.

However, it has more body, volume, and texture than straight hair. If you see little to no pin-straight strands in your dry, clean hair, or any sort of curls, you likely fall somewhere into type 2. One of the most common combination hair types is having a fine and oily scalp with dry and damaged ends. This can occur due to using harsh hair care products, excessive heat styling, or environmental factors like sun exposure and chlorine from swimming pools. Maintain curly hair by using sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos to prevent dryness. It is recommended that you only wash your hair once a week because it’s naturally less oily than straighter hair types, but regular deep conditioning will help retain moisture and elasticity.

Unlock the secrets to perfect hair styling by choosing the ideal hair dryer for your unique hair type. Most people with textured hair have more than one type of pattern on their head, "so you may have a combination of, say, kinky, coily, wavy, and curly," adds François. Identifying your curl shape and pattern(s) is best determined while your hair is sopping wet.

If you're looking for a shampoo that lathers nicely and cleans well without leaving your hair with a dry feeling, this really is the ticket. I loved this one and will continue to use it as my regular shampoo a couple times a week. The structure of curly hair is characterized by a spiral or ringlet pattern, typically accompanied by a naturally elevated cuticle layer, leading to increased porosity. This leads to the hair being more prone to frizz and necessitates additional moisture to sustain its well-defined shape. When caring for straight hair, it's best to use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils and condition your hair regularly to keep it moisturized. If you use styling tools, make sure to choose ones that are suitable for straight hair.

While there’s a range of curly hair (3a-4c), we’re focusing on 4a, 4b, and 4c hair types today. Identifying what type of curly hair pattern you have is key to nailing down a hair method or routine that leaves you with healthy strands. “Hair that is 3A is curly—usually the kind of curls with a thick texture and a lot of shine, but it can be frizzy,” Dr. Callender notes.

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