Those with 4A, 4B, and 4C hair experience shrinkage the most because the curls are coiled tighter than the other curl patterns.
Type 4C hair is the tightest, densest, and coiliest of all hair types – and these strands experience the most shrinkage: up to 75%.
Shrinkage Variability: Individuals with varied hair porosities and textures may have varying degrees of shrinkage. While low-porosity hair shrinks less overall, individual differences in hair density, curl pattern, and environmental factors can all affect shrinking dynamics.
So now that we know how we get straight or curly hair, does a particular type of hair type make you more susceptible to hair loss? All things being equal, there's no evidence that there's any difference in the natural cycle of hair loss for people with either straight or curly hair.
It may not be an instant process, but it still happens gradually as the years go by. Hair Shrinkage : When longer hair appears shorter. Hair shrinkage is something that many black women have which is where the hair is naturally formed within tight curly looped coils which can make the hair appear shorter than it is.
Due to the implantation, hair also does not grow at the same rate. Asian hair grows the fastest, approximately 1.4 cm per month, Caucasian hair grows 1.2 cm, and African hair grows 0.9 cm due to its spiral structure.
While hair shrinkage can affect all kinds of curly strands, certain hair types are more susceptible to shrinkage. Those with 4A, 4B, and 4C hair experience shrinkage the most because the curls are coiled tighter than the other curl patterns.
A general observation across experiments was that straight hair was perceived as younger, healthier, and more attractive than wavy hair and darker shades (medium copper and brown) were perceived more positively than blonde hair.
Caucasians Lose The Most Hair
After Caucasians, people of Afro-Caribbean heritage tended to experience the next highest levels of hair loss, with Asian men having the lowest hair loss rates.
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.
Natural hair that is properly hydrated and moisturised will shrink. Shrinkage is also a sign of your hair's elasticity and its resistance to breakage. Shrinkage is an indicator that your hair is healthy, hydrated and happy but even though your hair is happy, it can really frustrate the owner.
Type 4 (Coily Hair)
Coily hair, commonly referred to as Afro-textured or kinky hair, type 4 is naturally very dry and spongy in texture and can be soft and fine or coarse and wiry. Strands form very tight, small curls of zig-zags right from the scalp and are prone to major shrinkage.
These type 2 curly hair are the epitome of curl power and bring a unique and eye-catching texture to any style. Type 2c hair has a high density and coarser texture than other types of wavy hair and can have a high level of shrinkage, meaning that when wet, it can appear much shorter.
Hair porosity refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Hair that has low porosity can be more prone to shrinkage because it is harder for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft.
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.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we shed an average of approximately 50-100 hairs per day. Curly hair is most prone to shedding when compared to other hair types. Remember; we have 100,000 hair follicles on our heads!
Asian hair is by far the thickest of all hair types – 80 - 120 µm in diameter. Because of its extra diameter, it is also the strongest, and most resistant to damage.
According to anthropologist and professor Ashley Montagu in 1989, many East Asian people and African populations such as the San people are less hairy than Europeans and West Asian peoples.
East Asian men (such as those of Chinese and Japanese ancestry) are next on the list of those least likely to experience hair loss. For example, while around half of Caucasian men will experience some degree of androgenetic alopecia, a 2010 study of Chinese men found only about 13% did.
One thing these survey results have in common is that light-colored eyes — green, gray, blue, and hazel — are named as the most attractive eye colors in the world.
Females with long hair are considered more attractive than females in short hair and healthier by men, especially if women are less attractive. Long hair, as it is harder to care for, it is associated with high phenotypic and genetic quality (Mesko and Bereczkei, 2004) . ...
According to André Walker's classification, type 4C hair is very frizzy, with little or no curl definition. This is the most frizzy hair type. 4C hair is by nature very dry, very fine and therefore very fragile. It is frothy and brittle.
4C Hair Type
Type 4C hair has a very tight zigzag pattern and is quite fragile. This coily hair type experiences the most shrinkage, so it may seem to grow more slowly when in fact, the length is just concealed in the tight pattern.
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.
Why isn't my 4C hair retaining length? If you've stretched out your hair and it still seems like your tresses haven't made any progress, then it might be time to reassess your hair care routine. The issue might be due to dryness, constant shedding and split ends, which makes it harder to grow out your 4C coils.