This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Amna Faheem. Find her on Instagram at @amnaf.aheem. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The science of hair can be a complex one. There is a wide and extensive spectrum of hair types. Different thickness and curl patterns, different scalp textures, and needs. It can be very overwhelming. The standard message to the masses is to wash your hair once or twice a week, shampoo once, then conditioner, and you are all set. However, that is not suitable for every hair type. Washing your hair is necessary to remove build up and dirt that accumulates while, in the same breath, making sure the hair is healthy to grow. For those with a drier scalp, it is recommended to refrain from washing your scalp too much, as it could worsen the issue. An oily scalp should be washed around four or five times a week. Thicker hair might require additional shampoo, and thinner hair might need oils and leave-in soaps to help it thrive. Of course, each person has personalized hair needs and routines that work for them, and what could work for the collective group will not always work for you.
Different Hair Types
There are four types of hair, with three subtypes in each one save for type 1. Type 1 is having straight hair with no waves or curls present. Straight hair tends to get oily faster and should be washed twice or thrice weekly. It’s important to be aware of the types of shampoo that are being used and to shy away from shampoos that are heavy in sulfate as they decrease the natural oils in your scalp that are necessary for the health of your hair. Straight hair should also not be conditioned at the roots of the hair, especially extensively, and should be shampooed at the scalp to clean and extract the oil buildup that occurs thoroughly.
Type 2 hair encompasses wavy hair with different wave patterns. Type 2a are slight waves that can appear very subtly. Type 2b is more obvious but not too much and can be seen as more beachy. The roots are usually straight, with the waves becoming more present as the hair grows. Type 2c is much more curly but not quite coiled. The waves are more defined and established and grow from the root of the hair. Type 2c hair is also more prone to frizz and could need more products to tame the hair and refine its shape.
In general, type 2 hair should not be washed too frequently as it tends to be thicker and have more volume than type 1 hair. Because of those traits, washing it too much can remove the natural oils and leave the hair feeling very dry and frizzy. Washing the hair less will retain that natural oil and keep the hair moist and thriving. Using shaping cream or conditioner can also be beneficial, especially when going in and detangling the hair when needed.
Type 3 hair is more curly with tighter and much more evident coils but still a bit loose. Type 3a is spaced-out loops with more room between each curl. Zendaya is a prime example of someone with type 3a hair. Type 3b is made up of tighter curls and a clearer curl pattern. The hair becomes very defined and shaped, like Yara Shahidi or Tia Mowry. Type 3c is the curliest type, with the curls being very tight from the root of the head to the tips. The hair also tends to almost shrink in itself due to the tight curls.
Type 3 hair should not be washed frequently and, when it is, should be washed with sulfate-free shampoo. Brushing the hair should only happen after or during its wash, and the styling should also occur then. Washing it less ensures that moisture retention is high, and it keeps the natural oils that help it grow. When washing type 3 hair, it is also recommended to use a moisturizing conditioner after shampooing and, if needed to clean the hair between washes, to use a moisturizing soap.
Using just any soap or shampoo to wash type 3 hair is not beneficial to the hair or its curl pattern. Because of the way the hair grows and its curls, it is imperative to research and locate hair products and routines that will be favorable for the hair and its health. Moisture is the name of the game when it comes to washing and taking care of curly hair, as well as establishing a hair-washing routine that works for you.
Type 4 hair is made up of the tightest of coils, ranging from how tight the coils are to how tight and scrunched they become. Type 4a is comprised of very tight curls not quite as close together as type 4c. Type 4b is more compressed, and type 4c is the most condensed curl with shrinkage typically occurring.
Type 4 hair should not be washed frequently, and when it is, it should be conditioned extensively. It is said that washing type 4 hair once a week for two weeks is the standard for keeping it in the best shape. A wash day for those with type 4 hair can be extensive, with many steps from washing and cleaning to conditioning to shaping and styling. As said with type 3 hair, moisturizing and conditioning the hair to maintain moisture and hydration is vital to ensuring the well-being of the hair and its coils. Deep conditioning and shampooing more than once is also normal to deep clean the hair from the oil and product build-up that naturally occurs in hair. Some shampoos are designed specifically for those with type 4 hair that are rich in moisture and cleansing characteristics, as well as nutrients that can be essential for the scalp and roots of the hair. Deep conditioning will also replenish the hydration that slowly decreases between washing. Combing the hair should also only happen when it is wet and with a wide-toothed comb, same with styling. When detangling type 4 hair, the process is very detailed and delicate.
The science of hair and the different types can be confusing. Learning which type of hair you have and how to manage it can be stressful. Once you understand which type of hair and which subsection, the easier it will be to make sure you are taking care of it the best way possible.
Do you know which type of hair you have and how to take care of it? Let us know in the comments!
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