Coily hair is even more tightly wound than Type 3 curly hair. While some ladies with type 4 hair may still rock defined (albeit very narrow) curls, others have a more Z-shaped strand that doesn’t easily clump into ringlets without some added styling help.
Type 4 hair doesn’t benefit much from the scalp’s sebum, as this oil has difficulty making its way down the hair shaft. This can make coils dry, fragile, and prone to breakage.
If you have Type 4 coils, your textured hair may look similar, whether it’s wet or dry. You’ll also experience lots of shrinkage—your locks look much shorter than they actually are!
Type 4 can be further subdivided into the following categories:
4A–If you have a head full of mini curls, you’re probably sporting type 4a strands.
4B– 4b ladies have a crimpy texture, with defined curls towards the end of their strands.
4C– Now that we’ve covered 4a and 4b hair,what is 4c hair?This hair type is crimpy or Z-shaped from end to end, with lots of shrinkage.
Type 4 hair is ultra-versatile—its unique texture enables ultra-voluminous hairdos and looks great in a variety of protective styles. However, because it’s so fragile, you’ll need to give it some extra TLC to maintain strength and length.
Whether your Type 4 hair is high porosity or low porosity, the key is hydration—find it from rice oil or almond oil.
Putting your hair in twists or bantu knots can help protect it while pulling out the length of each strand so that you experience less shrinkage. Protective styles or wraps are a must at night.
Wash your Type 4 just once a week, and always use a leave-in conditioner. A weekly hair mask can help give you an added boost of hydration to promote hair growth and moisture.
Note: You may find that 4b and 4b hair have many similarities. However, they are definitely different and require different care.