Curl Type Info

 

Type 3 Curls ^                                         Type 4 Curls^

The rich and diverse beauty of curly hair is one that needs to be appreciated and understood. I have created a simplified chart below to explain to you your unique hair type and why you need different ingredients. 

 

Characteristics Type 3 Hair (Curly Hair) Type 4 Hair (Coily/Kinky Hair)
Curl Pattern S-shaped curls, ranging from loose spirals to tight ringlets. Tightly coiled, can range from fine, thin coils to wiry, thick coils.
Density Can vary, but often has a moderate density giving the appearance of volume. Typically very dense, giving the appearance of fuller hair.
Strand Thickness Strand thickness can vary widely, from fine to slightly feeling it if you rub a strand between your fingers. Strands can vary but are often fine, with a wiry texture. Despite the fineness, the overall hair looks very thick due to high density.
Moisture Needs Requires regular to every 2-3 days  hydration to maintain curl definition and prevent frizz. Needs more intense and frequent hydration to combat dryness due to tightly coiled structure.
Scalp Health May experience moderate dryness, requiring balanced moisturizing. Prone to dryness; needs regular moisturizing and oil treatments.
Detangling Needs Requires gentle detangling (but is more flexible) to prevent breakage, often when wet and with a conditioner. Detangling can be challenging; usually performed during conditioning to minimize breakage.
Styling Needs Styles can range from air-dried natural curls to defined ringlets using creams. Protective styling is common to prevent tangles and breakage. Requires more robust styling products like butters and creams.
Porosity Can vary; however, lower porosity is common, leading to slower moisture absorption and loss. Often has higher porosity, absorbing moisture quickly but also losing it rapidly.
Common Issues Frizz, loss of definition, and moisture imbalance. Shrinkage, dryness, and breakage are more prevalent.
Maintenance Moderate maintenance, focusing on defining curls and controlling frizz. High maintenance, focusing on intensive moisturizing, detangling, and protective styling.

  

Other Factors to Consider:

  • Type 3 Hair: More prone to changes in definition and shape due to environmental factors like humidity.
  • Type 4 Hair: Shrinkage is a significant factor, with hair appearing much shorter than its actual length.

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