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Everything You Need To Know About 4c Hair Type

4c hair is the tightest of all type 4 locks, with tight coils, acute angles, and naturally voluminous texture. As much as we adore 4c hair, we must confess that keeping it up may be a daunting endeavor.

This hair type is susceptible to breakage, dryness, and damage, particularly when subjected to chemical treatments and heat styling.

Although some people with 4c hair use relaxers to straighten their coily hair structure, the trend toward wearing natural hair has led many to develop a tailored hair regimen that works with, rather than against, this spectacular hair type.

Consider this your go-to guide for optimizing your 4c mane if you want to maximize your 4c haircare regimen and get the look of hydrated, healthy hair.

The Fundamentals of 4c Hair

The 4c hair type is part of the hair typing system’s larger type 4 hair group. Type 4 hair, commonly known as black, kinky, or coarse hair, is distinguished by its tight, thick structure and inherent lift.

The unusual curl pattern of type 4 hair contributes to its volume. Curl levels in type 4 hair vary, ranging from tight soft spirals in type 4a hair to thick zig-zag locks in type 4b hair to microscopically minuscule coils in type 4c hair.

Though the word “curl pattern” is used to describe the texture of type 4 hair, the adjective “coily” better captures its texture. If you looked at the three various types of type 4 hair under a microscope, you’d observe that they all create a tightly wrapped coil shape that grows smaller and smaller as the type 4 scale increases.

These dense hair strands are extremely resistant, making it quite difficult to transition from their original texture to wavy or straight. The kinks and coils of type 4 hair retain their structure and definition even when wet.

Many people with coily hair resort to perms, relaxers, and other chemical treatments to achieve a looser texture. However, Black and African American hair is more delicate than other hair types, and these treatments can cause long-term damage that may need drastic hair cuts and years of recuperation to cure.

While we don’t want to discourage you from experimenting with different styles, we do want to give advice on how to maintain a 4c natural hair regimen that works for you. Understanding the dynamics of 4c texture is the first step.

Everything You Need to Know About Type 4c Hair

You may have anticipated that 4c hair is the most coily and thick of all because it is the top on the list of type 4 textures. 4c hair grows horizontally and does not fall downward until it is very, very long.

Pulling a lock of 4c hair to its full length will reveal that it multiplies in length. Because of the microscopically tight kinks and coils of 4c hair patterns, substantial shrinkage occurs, giving this hair type so much volume.

Despite their rich volume, 4c hair strands are extremely brittle and prone to breakage, dryness, and frizz. This is due in part to the difficulty of transmitting natural oils from root to tip in 4c hair’s kinky strands.

Paddle brushes, for example, may cause knots and tangles in the coils, making them seem frizzy and deflated.

Fighting dryness and damage is the most difficult aspect of attaining smooth, moisture-rich 4c locks. Finding a haircare program that focuses on moisturizing and defining your 4c curls will be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful hairdo.

Best 4c Hair Maintenance Tips

Fighting frizz and dryness may be difficult. Fortunately, there are several style products and tactics available to assist. Here are three moisture-boosting methods for keeping 4c trees looking fresh.

Improve Your Conditioner Game

When you have 4c hair, you can never have enough softness and hydration. However, hair damage over time, particularly from coloring and chemical processing, can make it difficult for your hair to retain water.

You probably have high porosity hair if you suffer considerable moisture loss even after using moisturizing leave-in treatments. If this is the case for you, use a deep conditioning mask to supplement your conditioning efforts.

On wash days, a hair mask is an excellent option to increase your conditioning dose. Hair masks can enter your locks with even more moisture and softness than typical conditioners since they include an extra burst of moisturizing oils and conditioning chemicals.

Using a hair mask with Japanese sake extract, argan oil, or jojoba ester oil may help your 4c hair retain moisture. For example, Function of Beauty’s customized hair mask combines these components to improve detangling, smoothness, and moisture.

Embroider with Silk or Satin

Something as apparently harmless as the cloth you sleep on may be encouraging dryness and frizz. This is because, even if your 4c hair has been slathered in moisturizing hair products, standard cotton cases may be sucking up all the moisture from your locks, leaving it looking dry in the morning.

Fortunately, this is a quick and simple remedy. Simply get a silk or satin pillowcase. These beauties’ silky, smooth texture reduces friction and isn’t as absorbent as cotton, reducing snarled, dry hair. If you don’t have your hands (or hair) on a satin pillowcase, putting satin scarves over your hair at night works just as well!

Discover the Advantages of Co-Washing

Because 4c hair types are prone to dryness, everyday washing is out. So, how can you obtain that freshly washed, clean scalp feeling without stripping your hair of essential oils? Use a co-wash designed specifically for coily and curly hair.

Co-washes are cleaning conditioners that may be used in between shampoos to cleanse and moisturize the scalp without stripping it of its natural oils or causing it to become dry.

Co-wash is free of drying alcohols and safe to use on your roots because it sits between conditioner and shampoo. Function of Beauty’s bespoke co-wash has been shown to:

  • Softening and detangling should be improved.
  • Reduce surface accumulation and fracture.
  • nourish and strengthen hair

This dermatologist-tested co-wash, made with naturally derived and synthetic components like shea butter, avocado oil, and aloe juice, is the ideal method to cleanse your 4c hair without drying it out.

How to Get the Best 4c Hair?

Voluminous, charismatic, and bold are words that define 4c hair at its finest. At its worst, it is described as dry, frizzy, and uninteresting. Better for your 4c hair!

When you use a pro-hydration and anti-dryness hair routine, you may enhance the condition of your 4c locks and get them to appear their best. All you need is a strong conditioning treatment, a little silk or satin, and an excellent co-wash to give your hair the moisture and definition it requires.