Type 4a hair has medium-sized, loosely packed curls. The curls have a springy S-shape and are about the size of a crochet needle. If you look closely at the 4a hair type, you'll notice the curls are not as interlocked as 4b or 4c curls. Each 4a strand independently curls or spirals away from other neighboring strands.
What is Type 4B? Rather than forming a tight coil, Type 4B bends into sharp angles like the letter Z. This curl is tighter but less defined. Its circumference is about the width of a pen, and the strands of hair may be anywhere from fine and thin to wiry and coarse depending on the woman rocking these curls.
Type 4a hair has a dense, kinky curly texture with lots of volume to spare. The size of each curl is about as wide as a crochet needle. The coily texture has more of an S pattern than other type 4s, which is why it experiences much less shrinkage when going from wet to dry.
4A hair is more tightly coiled than its type 3 counterpart. Type 4 hair is often called 'kinky' with a dense coil pattern that might not resemble a curl. The curls' circumference is much smaller than 3C and similar to the circumference of the thinnest coffee stirrer.
Type 4A hair type has lots of tight coils and forms an “S” pattern when stretched. It has a clear, well-defined curl pattern, and it tends to look darker than it really is because it has a high density, which means that it's usually very thick.
On how often to wash your 4A hair
Wash 4A hair once to twice a month with a co-wash or hydrating shampoo. As this type of hair is prone to moisture loss, washing it less frequently allows the natural oils & sebum to stick around for longer.
Type 3a hair is characterized by well-defined spiral curls that are typically the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Although the circumference of 3a curls is wider than that of 3b and 3c hair, it can be difficult to tell the three curl types apart.
Each 4a strand independently curls or spirals away from other neighboring strands. 4a hair has naturally well-defined curls and is easier to style and handle than 4b and 4c hair. It also has a reduced risk of natural breakage because of its loose curls.
Hair structure
Take a piece of hair in between your fingers and rub it back and forth. If you don't feel anything, your hair type is considered fine. If you can feel the hair in between your fingers your hair type is medium. If your hair feels thick in between your fingers , then your hair type is coarse.
Type 4A Hair
The hair tends to shrink about 50-60% of the actual length when wet. If shrinkage is a major issue for you, look for products and styling techniques that help elongate your curls. After washing your hair, be sure to follow up with a cream-based leave-in conditioner for added moisture and conditioning.
4A hair may need to be moisturized every day or every other day. You can use oil if your hair is particularly dry. Coconut oil works well for adding moisture while you shape your curls because of its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, unlike most oils.
They tend to be straight at the crown and start forming a defined wavy texture at the midpoint of the locks that continues down to the ends. It has a moderate amount of volume and thickness and doesn't lose its shape easily. Even wet hair still maintains a noticeable wavy pattern.
4b hair is easily distinguished by its zigzag pattern. Unlike 4a or 4c, 4b has tight “Z” shaped strands with little definition in curl shape. Often, 4b hair is fluffy and can be soft or coarse depending on hair texture.
As it's the most fragile among natural hair types, it's also the most vulnerable to breakage. On top of that, people with type 4c hair also have to grapple with extreme dryness and shrinkage.
Coily Curls
The last, but most rare type of curl is the coily curl. This curl type is similar to that of an afro and when observed carefully, looks like the angular letter 'Z'. These curls require the most amount of moisture, as the hair type is much thicker than the other curl types.
Out of all the hair types, types 4A, 4B and 4C are the curliest. They tend to form a compacted Z pattern, plus they have a high density that requires creams, gels and custards to hold their shape and reduce volume. Plus, due to the lack of cuticle layers, coily hair also requires extra moisture.
Curly hair is determined by factors you inherit from your biological mother and your biological father. There's no single gene that determines the way that your hair looks. The way your hair looks when you're born is also a clue into the genetic information you'd pass to your own children if you have them.
Type 2a hair tends to lie flat at the roots and starts to form waves at eye-level. This gradual change in texture can make hair look inconsistent. The shape of these strands don't take on the slight curl pattern of 2c hair types nor do they have the definite wave texture of a 2b hair type.
Type 2C waves are usually identified as small to medium size waves that form into a letter S shape as they grow. This shape borders between wavy and curly hair. Though for some this may already look like a typical curly hair, the 2C type does not form springs, a distinguishing feature between waves and curls.
As you get older, your curls may drop, loosen, or even form new curl patterns due to hormonal changes, like menopause. Environmental factors such as gravity, climate, and pollution also play a part. The thinner and weaker your aging curly hair is, the less likely it is to actually curl.
Type 4a hair is formally defined as being densely packed coily hair. When fluffed out, it can look very full. And as with any other hair texture, people with 4a hair can have fine or thin strands or thick and coarse hair. As with other curly and coily hair types, 4a heads have to focus on moisture retention.
Can you wet African American hair everyday? Yes, you can wet natural hair everyday, and it is actually advised to do so to maintain moisture.
Dove hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez tells Popsugar, “Type 4A is very tight and small curls, very wiry and fragile. When you stretch them, they get super long.” Your curls are also somewhat soft and delicate, though sometimes coarse and thick. Due to the tightness of your curl pattern, your hair is prone to shrinkage.