Your hair is unique and understanding your hair’s specific texture is key to caring for it effectively. The hair type chart, which you can use to find your natural hair pattern, is a good starting point if you’re not sure which hair products work best for you.
The chart categorizes hair into four different types – straight, wavy, curly and frizzy – and further divides subcategories for each type. By identifying your hair type, you can better adapt your hair care routine to enhance the natural beauty of your strands and keep them healthy.
We’ll tell you all about the hair type chart and why it’s important to understand your hair texture. Once you know, check out the best shampoos and conditioners, according to experts.
What is the hair type chart and is it only for curly hair?
The hair type chart is a system that was designed to help you find your hair shape and pattern. Applies to hair of all different textures, not just curly hair. See how the different types break down.
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Type 1: Straight hair
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Type 2: Wavy hair
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Type 3: Curly hair
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Type 4: Curly/kinky hair
What do the letters in the hair type chart mean?
Now that you know the four types of hair, let’s break down the subcategories within these types.
Straight hair
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1A: Very straight, fine, fine hair with no curl pattern
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1B: Straight, but with more volume and body
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1C: Straight with some thick or coarse strands and slight curves
Wavy hair
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2A: Loose, natural waves with fine texture
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2B: More defined waves with medium texture
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2C: Thick Coarse Waves with S-Shaped Pattern
Curly hair
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3A: Loose, large and well-defined curls
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3B: Firmer curls, with more volume and medium thickness
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3C: Thick, firm curls with thicker texture
Curly hair
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4A: Soft, tightly coiled hair with a defined S-shaped pattern
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4B: Firmer, less defined curls with a Z pattern
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4C: Very tight coils with thicker, more fragile texture
Still not sure? The visual chart can help:
Who created the hair type table?
The original hair type chart, also known as the hair typing system, was created by Andre Walker, Oprah Winfrey’s hairstylist, in the 1990s. He debuted the system on Winfrey’s show to promote her line of hair products. Since then, updated versions of the hair type chart have appeared that include more diversity in textures. Walker’s hair type chart did not include 3C and 4C hair types.
Why is it important to know your hair type?
Understanding your hair type can help you develop a more personalized hair care routine that can better prevent damage to your hair and keep it healthy.
“By reflecting on what your hair is like, it can help you make better decisions about your personal needs and products that can meet that,” Chelcey Salinger, director of the International Association of Trichologists, told Yahoo. (Trichologists study the science of hair and scalp).
However, it’s important that you don’t worry too much about hair typing, says Carolina Contreras, owner of Miss Rizos, a hair care company that caters to curly, wavy and frizzy textures. Instead, you need to pay attention to your environment and other factors that can affect your hair. “So many variables determine the behavior and appearance of hair, so categorizing it into types is not enough,” she warns. For curly hair, she adds that there can be different curl textures throughout your head — for example, you might have 3A curls in the front and 4B curls in the back.
You should also take into consideration any chemicals used on your hair, from perms to dyes, as they can change the texture of your hair. “Heat damage and hormonal imbalances can also affect texture,” says Contreras.
How does your hair type influence the products you use?
Knowing your hair type, as well as anything that affects it, can be a great start to figuring out the best products to use.
“Curly hair that tends to frizz will look for curl-defining and anti-frizz products, while type 1 hair may look for products that add more volume,” says Salinger.
Contreras says if your hair density is lower, you should use a lower-density product, and if you have high-density hair, try using higher-moisture products, like a leave-in conditioner, to minimize volume. She says you should also focus on your hair health to determine whether your strands need protein or moisture, based on porosity — that is, how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
Penny James, owner of Penny James Trichology Center, recommends using a thickening spray on fine hair. For frizzy and curly hair, she says moisturizing products that contain coconut oil work best. She also recommends finding out what tools, including hairbrushes, your hairstylist uses on you and asking him or her to show you how to use those tools correctly.
How do you find your hair type using the hair type chart?
If you don’t know where to start, check out the chart above. “It’s as simple as looking at your natural, unstyled hair and matching it to a certain curl pattern on the chart,” says Salinger.
For best results, let your hair air dry after showering, as using a blow dryer can alter your hair’s natural pattern. Then see what it looks like when it’s dry.
If you’re still unsure, you can make an appointment with a hairdresser or trichologist. “A trained expert helping you understand your hair type is a powerful tool in your hair care arsenal,” says James. “He can guide you in choosing the right products, tools, and even the best hairstylist for your unique hair.”
Does the condition of your scalp influence the structure of your hair?
Yes you can. Contreras says scalp health is important for maintaining healthy hair. She recommends applying styling products at least half an inch away from the scalp to prevent itchiness and sebum buildup.
The temperature of the water you use when washing your hair can also affect your scalp and hair. For example, hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture, leaving you with dry or damaged strands. You should also check how often you should wash your hair based on your hair type.
Scalp conditions can also change hair texture, says James. “When the follicle has been damaged or the sebaceous glands have stopped producing sebum, it can change the texture of your hair.”
What is the rarest hair type?
“It would depend on what part of the world you were in. In the US it would probably be 4B and 4C”, says Salinger. “But it is interesting to note that the number of people with curly hair is increasing as we have more mixing and fusing of people from different backgrounds.”
