4C hair is the one with the tightest coils. It’s often referred to as kinky hair. Your hair will look compact and will grow horizontally rather than vertically due to its high tendency to become coiled. Hair strands will seem much shorter than they are. A 10 inch strand can look 3 inches in people with 4C hair.
The best time to determine your hair type, if you’re not sure yet, is immediately after you get out of the shower. Don’t use any conditioner and don’t blow dry your hair. Let it dry slowly. The shape of your curls will determine your type of hair. S-shaped curls are 4A, sharply angled hair is 4B, and Z-shaped curls are 4C. You could notice different curls and strands in your hair, and this is completely normal. It’s quite possible for a person to have different hair types.
How to Take Care of Your 4C Hair
Taking care of your 4C hair can be made easy with a few simple tips. Deep conditioning should be one of the first things on your list. The coils in your hair make it harder from oil in the scalp to reach the tips of your hair. Without these natural oils, the tips of your hair can be damaged. Deep conditioning at least twice a month can help keep your hair moist and untangle painful knots.
Is deep conditioning twice or thrice a month sufficient? The simple answer is no. You need to keep your hair moist between deep conditioning sessions and this can be achieved using leave-in conditioners. Water, oil, and leave-in conditioners are used, in that order, to keep your hair moist. First, sprinkle some water on your hair then apply coconut oil. Next, use leave-in conditioner. These three simple steps can help your hair remain moisturized for days.
Detangling your hair can be painful and difficult. Additionally, it will also damage your hair when it’s not done right. Hair should only be detangled when it’s damp. Your fingers or a wide toothed comb can be used to get rid of tangles. Split ends can be troublesome for people with 4C hair and make your hair look unhealthy. Trimming your split ends away twice a year can help your hair grow and look healthy.
Despite your best efforts during the day, most of your work can be gone at night. The friction between your hair and your pillowcase can be damaging. The damage is doubled with cotton pillowcases as they can suck up the moisture in your hair. Before going to sleep, tie your hair in a pineapple or a loose ponytail then tie it in a silk bonnet or use a silk or satin pillowcase.
These simple tips will keep your hair from drying out at night so you can wake up with healthy and great-looking hair. Your 4C hair can require some work, but it’s sure to stand out as beautiful and dominant when taken care of properly.
