Distinguishing 4b and 4c Hair
So 4b hair vs 4c—how can you tell the difference? It all comes down to hair strand patterns.
In order to categorize texture more accurately, Andre Walker (Oprah’s hair stylist) developed a system for describing curls.. Essentially, bone straight hair ranks as a “1” and has no wave or curl whatsoever. The scale is numerically ordered to represent increased curliness (e.g. 1, 2, 3, and 4) and divided into subcategories (e.g. 2a, 2b, and 2c) to describe curly hair types and other hair texture types with greater accuracy.
Hair that’s categorized as a 4 represents the curliest, twirliest locks! Type 4 hair is one of the most common Black hair types. However, the curlier the hair, the harder it is for your scalp’s natural oils to make it all the way down the hair strand— Because type 4 hair is so gorgeous and curly, it often requires greater moisturization to keep strands healthy using a quality conditioner and other hair care products such as coconut oil and olive oil for hair.
What is 4b Hair?
4b hair is easily distinguished by its zigzag pattern. Unlike 4a or 4c, 4b has tight “Z” shaped strands with little definition in curl shape. Often, 4b hair is fluffy and can be soft or coarse depending on hair texture.
What is 4c Hair?
Now really -what is 4c hair? 4c hair has the tightest curl pattern of all the curly hair types. Strands are formed in tight, springy, ringlets. 4c hair tends to clump more at the ends and is even more prone to shrinkage than 4b hair. According to CURLS, 4c hair can shrink up to 75% of its length!
Hair Care for 4b & 4C
Since 4b hair tends to be dry, proper care is all about moisturizer and protection.
Pre Moisture Treatment – Use grape seed oil or coconut oil before you wash your hair to give it an extra dose of moisture.
Shampoo–You don’t shampoo your hair every time you shower. Just rinsing with a conditioner might be all you need. Experiment with leave-in conditioners for long-lasting hydration. So once in a while, skip the shampooing—but feel free to keep in the shower karaoke session!
Condition –Try the LOC method (liquid, oil, cream) for prolonged moisturization. After you shower, use olive oil , followed by a natural cream like cocoa or shea butter.
Finger-Comb–Instead of struggling with a brush, try finger combing your hair. This will minimize breakage and frizz and keep your hair soft and supple. Additionally, you can stretch your hair out while it’s still wet to minimize shrinkage. Pop on a face mask while you’re at it for a full self-care routine!
Style–Use protective styles like braids and twists to keep hair secure and tangle-free.
“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” ― Michelle Obama, Becoming
click link for previous post on #Natural Hair: https://eliteinternationalsalon.wordpress.com/2021/03/03/how-to-figure-out-your-curl-type/
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