The letters represent the width of the curl: A being the widest, B representing medium curls, and C being small circles. Type 2 - Wavy. Type 3 – Curly. Type 4 - Coiled.
Types 4a, 4b, and 4c hair are very tightly curled or coiled. Types 3a, 3b, and 3c hair have coils or spirals in the hair. Types 2a, 2b, and 2c have a wavy or S-shaped curve. And type 1 hair is straight.
Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, coily, fine, medium, thick, or frizzy hair, tailoring your care and styling techniques to your specific hair type will help you look and feel your best. Embrace your unique hair type with confidence, knowing you have the knowledge to care for it properly.
2A type hair has dense waves starting at the root of the hair. 2B waves start at about midpoint of hair and the waves are extremely heavy. 2C has soft and gentle waves only at the bottom half portion of the hair.
HAIR TEXTURE
If your hair is Fine (A), you won't feel it. If your hair is Medium (B), you will slightly feel it. If your hair is Coarse (C), you will feel it.
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.
Now really - what is 4c hair? 4c hair type has the tightest curl pattern of all the curly hair types. Strands are formed in tight, springy, ringlets. 4c hair tends to clump more at the ends and is even more prone to shrinkage than 4b hair.
2C falls within the type 2 category for “wavy hair,” and is the waviest pattern within this group. It's important to consider the shape of your pattern within a lock of hair. Waves can vary in shape, ranging from an “S” shape to a slight curl, or corkscrew.
If you have defined, S-shaped curls that are tightly packed together and about the size of a pencil, you likely have a 3C hair type (also known as texture type 5).
Low porosity hair is human hair that doesn't readily absorb water and treatments. Your hair may be low porosity if it takes a long time to wet and dry. If you use hair care products, they tend to stay on the surface of your hair rather than being absorbed. This makes hair care treatments less effective.
People who have type 3 hair have S shaped bouncy curls that are well defined, dry and slightly rough. This type has further three hair texture types for African-American hair: type 3a, 3b and 3c.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
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.
But only cleanse if you're going to do it right! Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to infuse moisture back into your locks and find the perfect balance of washing your hair, usually 2-3 times a week. You can always give your hair a spritz of dry shampoo to freshen it up between washes.
Type 2B hair has a tighter pattern than 2A but is still not as tight as 2C. The wave begins to form midway down the hair shaft and can spiral into ringlets at the ends. There is still quite a beachy feel to 2B hair, although it is generally a little more defined than 2A hair.
Neither straight nor curly, type 1C hair is the waviest of the straight hair types without being actually full-on wavy. That means that type 1C hair tends to feature strands that lie flat at the root, with subtle body, arcs, and bends throughout the midsection. It can hold a curl, and air dries like a dream.
Can 3A hair hold braids? Absolutely!
What is Type 4B Hair? Type 4B hair is a unique and beautiful hair type that falls within the coily hair spectrum. It's characterised by its Z-shaped curls that are sharply angled and less defined, giving a fluffy and voluminous appearance.
Learn from other 2c wavies
Lorde, Lili Reinhart, and Sarah Hyland are some big names you might recognize that share your in-between hair type.
Frizz. Type 2C hair is also more prone to frizz than the other wavy hair types. Frizz can be worsened by using the wrong products, such as drying shampoos, drying hair improperly, or excessive heat styling.
Is 3B Hair rare? It's not rare but it is unique in its curl pattern and care needs.
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.
4c Hair Care Tip #3 Detangling for Growth
Detangle your hair with your fingers, a wide-tooth comb, and a ventilated paddle brush. YES, I said brush! Keep in mind that you haven't been combing your hair for the last two weeks at least. The amount of hair that you're supposed to lose is 60 to 100 strands a day.
1b Hair Type
While not stick-straight (that would be 1a hair), 1b hair falls straight from the root to the middle of the hair, where it might start to appear slightly wavy. It tends to be soft, with mostly fine strands, and when it's healthy, looks shiny and smooth.