The most damage occurs when your hair is wet and exposed to high heat. This means that it is best to wait until your hair is almost completely dry before you use a hair dryer or a straightening iron on it.
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).
Taking care of 4C hair involves gentle handling and hydration. Start with a sulfate-free shampoo to prevent stripping natural oils. Deep condition regularly to moisturize and strengthen your hair. Use a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer daily to keep hair hydrated.
Yes, 4c hair is definitely more susceptible to breakage due to the shape of the hair (and strand shape is based on the shape of the hair follicles ), but the hair DOES NOT break at the same time it grows. If that were the case, all people with tight, coily hair would be bald lol...
The short answer is, “Yes!” Hair dye damages afro hair … as well as all other types of hair. It's likely the reason you're asking this question is that you're tired of your natural hair shade and are eager to jump into those bold current hair colour trends you see all over Instagram.
When you're maintaining it, you'll want to do everything in your power to keep it healthy and prevent breakage. This means avoiding heat and chemicals as much as possible. Heat, whether from blow dryers or straighteners, causes irreparable damage to the hair by breaking the natural bonds within the hair shaft.
Even though 4c hair is naturally curly, the coils are so tight that it's often hard to see curl definition. In fact, an actual 4c curl will have a zig-zag shape instead of a s-shape or ringlet like type 3 curls. Type 4c hair is also prone to shrinkage. We're talking bra-length curls that dry to be shoulder-length.
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.
Ensuring your hair is in its most natural state is essential as you start your loc journey. The time it takes for hair to lock varies based on hair texture, typically ranging from 10 months to two years to reach the mature stage.
By deep conditioning, co-washing, using the right products, detangling, using a diffuser, protective styling, air drying, low manipulation, sealing in moisture and trimming your ends regularly, you can help to keep your hair healthy and manageable.
Long Answer: Every other day/every 2-3 days is usually a good rule of thumb for 4C textured beauties who tend to have super low porosity. However, even within the 4C curl type porosity often depends on how thick or thin your strands are.
Damaged hair looks rough, dry, dull, and frizzy. It loses its natural shine because the cuticles, which give hair its sheen, have been damaged. Heat damaged curly hair may appear limp, and the curls may not hold their shape, and straight hair may not appear as polished and sleek.
5c hair type:
Type 5c hair texture has the tightest curl pattern among the other types. It forms a distinct "Z" shape and has a coarser texture. This hair type is often densely packed. Also, it requires extra care to maintain moisture and prevent breakage.
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.
Type 4B Hair - Your hair is prone to dryness and breaks and has a zig-zag shape and experiences shrinkage. Type 4C Hair - Your coils are dense and can range from fine and soft to coarse and wiry, your hair strand will have a "Z" shape and will experience significant shrinkage.
In the starter phase, you should retwist your locs every four weeks and may even retwist every two to three weeks for the first four to six weeks. After that, retwist every four to six weeks in the budding phase, four to six weeks in the teen stage, and eight to twelve-plus weeks during the mature and rooted phases.
Because the hair is learning to thrive in the new entanglement, locs may become frizzy, dull, and thick. After all, the hair is knotting itself. Moisture may be trapped inside the loc and not on its surface. It is natural to feel and see lumps in the locs, especially where older hair meets new growth.
Your hair will get matted and eventually will fall due to gross neglect. Combing your hair helps to get rid of dirt, chemicals, and buildup at the roots and scalp and also helps to open up the pores.
Hair grows best when left alone. As long as its not getting matted you should be fine.
Curly or coily hair types are more prone to matted hair due to the unique structure of their hair strands. The natural bends and coils in these hair types make it easier for strands to interlock and form mats. Curly and coily hair also tends to be drier and more fragile, further contributing to knots and tangles.
The most unique characteristic of 4C hair is that it usually has a mix of waves, coils, curls, and zigzags throughout. While the combination of curls is a delight to look at, sometimes you want your hairstyle to have a little more uniformity. That's where lacers come in handy.
An itchy scalp may simply be a sign that you need to wash your hair more frequently. The build-up of dirt and pollution can cause itchiness. If you notice your hair is okay for the first few days after washing and becomes itchier as time progresses, it's a good idea to decrease the time between your wash days.