To no surprise, 4c hair, like all curly hair types, is naturally dry. In fact, 4c curls tend to be even drier. And when 4c hair isn't properly moisturized, it becomes brittle, weak and can easily break, snap and feel like straw. That's why having a consistent moisturizing hair routine is key.
Characteristics of 4c Hair Type Common traits with 4c hair are that it is naturally dry and spongy in texture and it can also be soft and a bit wiry. Some people may have extremely soft 4c hair while others may have really dry and hard 4c hair naturally and it can also feel wiry. It is amazing.
Healthy hair readily absorbs and retains moisture. Hair that is adequately hydrated will also have a nice amount of spring or recoil once stretched. You hair should not appear rough or brittle and the ends of your hair should also be intact (not split or broken).
The texture of 4C hair is often coarse or wiry, though it can vary from person to person. This Afro-textured hair exhibits a dense, full-bodied appearance and is distinct from the hairstyle known as a 'fro.
4C hair is naturally dry, so it's important to regularly deep condition it to keep it hydrated. You can deep condition your hair by using a hair mask or a deep conditioner and leaving it on for at least 30 minutes. This will help to nourish your hair and make it more manageable.
Whether you have straight or curly hair, you'll likely notice an excess of frizz and tangles while trying to brush or comb through your hair. You may also experience a change in texture, and your hair might not cooperate as it once did. Damaged hair becomes brittle and breaks easily.
Your natural oil is unable to travel from your scalp to your hair because of your coils. The curlier the hair, the harder it is for your oil to reach your strands.
If the above applies to you, congratulations - you have 4C hair. Although this hair type is the weakest for breakage and dryness, the incredible volume allows for a range of hairstyles that will last for days, as well as holding protective hairstyles for months.
Most hair care professionals recommend washing 4C hair once or twice a month, with at least five days between washes. Washing more frequently can severely damage 4C hair because it's particularly dry and brittle compared to other hair types.
Hair feels like straw when it lacks moisture, has damaged cuticles, or has stripped natural oils. Using treatments like GK Hair's The Best Keratin Hair Treatment can help restore hydration and protect hair from further damage.
It's smooth and soft—aka, it doesn't feel like hay. If your hair is silky and smooth when you run your fingers through it, that's a major win. Healthy hair has a natural shine and feels soft to the touch, not brittle or rough.
Take a wet or dry strand of hair and stretch it gently. If it doesn't stretch easily, snaps quickly, and feels dry, brittle or rough, it means you need more moisture. If your curl stretches but doesn't bounce back into shape, and the hair feels gummy or musy, it means you need more protein.
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, a general rule of thumb is to comb 4C hair only as needed to remove tangles and style it, usually a few times a week. This frequency allows for the removal of product build-up and the maintenance of a clean, healthy scalp without over-drying or causing damage to your hair.
Hair that's suffering from moisture overload can become frizzy, limp, and struggle to hold your curls.
Because 4C hair can be coarse and very dry, products that provide moisture and protection for 4C hair are essential to healthy hair.
Dehydrated hair often looks frizzy and dull – when you touch it, it may feel brittle and straw-like, and flyaways and split ends may become noticeable when you look in the mirror.
Whether you use a tool or nature to dry your hair is really a matter of personal preference and how you plan to style it. If you want to just go with the safest choice, heat-free is always going to be the healthiest way to dry natural hair and prevent damage—but blow-drying natural hair certainly has its benefits also.
Type 1A: The rarest hair type, this one is very straight and fine with a “wispy” appearance. It's very difficult to get it to hold a curl. Type 1B: Though still straight, this type has a medium (rather than fine) texture and a little more volume.
Tight, high updos, extensions, and straightening are all risky choices. Less damaging options are loose, low, and natural styles. You know all too well that bleach and heat styling are the notorious villains of hair damage, wreaking havoc on your locks and causing brittle strands and split ends.
But 4C hair looks pretty much the same wet as it does dry. Its extremely low porosity strands don't take in enough water to transform your curls the way other hair types do when wet, so applying products on wet hair won't “lock in the curl” – or the moisture.
To no surprise, 4c hair, like all curly hair types, is naturally dry. In fact, 4c curls tend to be even drier. And when 4c hair isn't properly moisturized, it becomes brittle, weak and can easily break, snap and feel like straw. That's why having a consistent moisturizing hair routine is key.
Type 4C hair is famed for being easily tangled, especially when wet. This happens because the cuticle layers of your strands are so close together that they overlap in a way that causes them to stick to each other and form knots.
Moisture from a leave-in is not enough; dry, naturally resistant 4C hair needs deep down hydration in order to define. Use a super conditioner like atrActiva Multivitamin Treatment to infuse moisture deep into low porosity hair, without clogging the surface.