TYPES OF HAIR

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE HAIR TYPING SYSTEM, YOUR HAIR TYPE, AND HOW TO REACH YOUR HAIR GOALS

If you haven’t heard about the hair typing system, you either don’t have curly hair or you’ve never visited an online haircare forum. Nevertheless, if the hair typing system is unfamiliar to you, it’s basically a numerical system describing different curl patterns in human hair. Here’s the general formula:

Type 1: Straight hair.

Type 2: Wavy hair.

Type 3: Curly hair.

Type 4: Extremely tightly curly hair.

The majority of people who study the hair typing system and apply it to their own haircare routines are people who fall within the type 3 and 4 categories. This is because curly hair has traditionally been the most changeable, difficult to manage/detangle, and susceptible to damage. This is especially true of type 4 hair, which is structurally the most fragile.

Within the hair typing system, there are subcategories of hair types indicating how curly the hair is within its broader category. If you’re a type 3A, then your hair is the least tightly curled within the 3 category, with type 3C being the most tightly curled.

While the hair typing system can be a useful reference for people who aren’t used to managing their curly hair, it is important to keep in mind that this not a science-based system. It’s a visual aid that identifies and classifies hair textures in the most general terms. Two people could legitimately classify their own hair as 4C using this method, yet the two heads of hair can be remarkably different in density, amount, and responsiveness to products and styling.

 

THE HISTORY OF THE HAIR TYPING SYSTEM

The hair typing system originated with stylist Andre Walker who, in the 1990s, organized common hair types by number to effectively market his services and product line. The resulting chart was then appropriated and modified, so that today there is no definitive classification system beyond the basic 1-4 categories.

 

HOW CAN THE HAIR TYPING SYSTEM HELP ME?

Knowing where your hair falls along the 1A-4C spectrum might help you discover products and techniques that make managing and styling your hair easier. Finding forums and communities of people who share your hair type and texture can also be useful – you can discuss common hair issues and find effective solutions, and also influence beauty industry leaders and brands to take your concerns seriously.

However, adhering to a general classification system doesn’t serve much of a purpose aside from having a shorthand method of describing certain common hair qualities. You have to get to know your own hair.

Whether you’re a hair typing devotee or if you don’t really use hair typing at all, every head of hair – straight, wavy, curly – exists on a spectrum of unlimited textures and aesthetic characteristics.

Ultimately, your hair type is unique. While there may be other people with similar – even remarkably similar – hair textures, you will be best served by learning what is best for the health of your individual hair and not necessarily what is recommended for a numerical hair type you may or may not have. Once you fully understand your own hair’s behaviors and qualities, you can use that information to style and enjoy your hair in a way that fits your lifestyle and taste while maximizing its health.

In other words, your hair is more than just a number on a chart.

 

HOW DOES YOUR HAIR TYPE INFLUENCE YOUR HAIR GOALS?

Your hair texture is an important consideration when you’re defining your hair goals for the long and short terms. Knowing how your hair behaves under different conditions, when styled with certain products, and after receiving certain treatments will let you know how easily you can achieve your objectives, or if you have to modify your strategy.

Your hair goals will determine your best haircare and styling techniques. While we all want healthy hair, we also want it to look a certain way – we want it to meet our aesthetic standards. Ideally, our preferred hairstyles would be those our hair could achieve with minimal effort and manipulation. However, we aren’t always satisfied with our natural features. Our desire to give our hair characteristics that are dramatically different from those our hair possesses naturally can lead to significant damage, compromising hair growth.

For example, going from black to blonde, or tightly coiled to bone straight, will dramatically change the fundamental properties of your hair. Over time, this can inhibit length retention, so if your goal is to maximize the length of your hair, your short-term aesthetic choices might prevent you from reaching it.

If your goal is to maximize the length of your natural hair but you also want styling flexibility and variety, the best possible option is a protective style in the form of Abra Kadabra Sew-In™ hair extensions.

The Abra Kadabra Sew-In™ is a unique and revolutionary system that allows clients to fully protect their natural hair for approximately 6 months or longer underneath sew-in hair extensions. With no risk of matting or breaking thanks to the construction of the AK Hair & Healing units and the proprietary installation and maintenance techniques, your hair can achieve its full growth potential for the lifespan of the sew-in. Once the extensions are removed, your hair will have achieved months of healthy growth without experiencing any damage.

At Abra Kadabra Hair & Healing, we are passionate about giving you the tools and information you need to feel sexy and confident about not only your hair, but your body, mind, and spirit. If you want to learn more about your hair’s unique texture and structure, schedule an appointment with the specialists at Abra Kadabra Hair & Healing for a comprehensive consultation. We’ll be more than happy to help you discover your best, most beautiful self.