Hair type refers to the shape of the hair follicle and the resulting texture of the hair. There are four main hair types: straight, wavy, curly, and coily/kinky. Each hair type has its own unique characteristics and requires different care and maintenance.
Straight hair has no curl or wave and tends to be the shiniest of all hair types. It can be fine or thick, but is generally more difficult to curl or style than other hair types.
Wavy hair has a slight "S" shape and tends to be more resilient to styling than straight hair. It can be fine or coarse and often has a lot of body and volume.
Curly hair is defined by its spiral or ringlet shape. It can range from loose, soft curls to tight, kinky curls. Curly hair tends to be more prone to frizz and requires more moisture to maintain its shape and definition.
Coily or kinky hair has a tight curl pattern and is the most fragile of all hair types. It tends to be dry and requires a lot of moisture to maintain its shape and definition. Coily or kinky hair can range from fine to coarse.
Understanding your hair type is important for choosing the right products and techniques to care for your hair. It can also help you achieve your desired style and maintain healthy hair.
It's important to note that hair types can vary greatly and are often a combination of two or more types. It's also important to determine your hair's texture, which refers to the thickness or diameter of each individual strand, as well as your hair's porosity, which refers to how well it absorbs and holds moisture. Understanding your hair type, texture, and porosity can help you choose the right products and techniques to care for your hair.
Hair Type: As I mentioned earlier, there are four main hair types: straight, wavy, curly, and coily/kinky. The type of hair you have is determined by the shape of the hair follicle. Straight hair follicles produce round hairs, while curly and kinky hair follicles produce oval or flat hairs. The shape of the hair follicle affects the way the hair grows and how it lays on the scalp.
Hair Texture: Hair texture refers to the thickness or diameter of each individual strand. It can be fine, medium, or coarse. Fine hair has a small diameter and tends to be delicate and fragile, while coarse hair has a larger diameter and tends to be stronger and more resilient. Medium hair falls somewhere in between.
Hair Porosity: Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture. It's determined by the hair's outermost layer, the cuticle, which is made up of overlapping scales. If the scales are tightly packed together, the hair has low porosity and is more resistant to moisture. If the scales are more open and widely spaced, the hair has high porosity and absorbs moisture quickly. Hair with normal porosity falls somewhere in between.
A hair density test is a way to determine how much hair a person has on their head. To perform a hair density test, you would part the hair in various locations on the scalp and count the number of hairs within a certain area.
Hair porosity, on the other hand, refers to how easily hair can absorb and retain moisture. Hair porosity is determined by the hair's cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. If the cuticle is tightly packed, the hair is considered to have low porosity, meaning it's more difficult for moisture to penetrate. If the cuticle is looser, the hair is considered to have high porosity, meaning it's easier for moisture to penetrate.
There are several ways to test hair porosity, including the float test, the strand test, and the slip 'n' slide test. The float test involves placing a strand of hair in a glass of water to see how quickly it sinks. If the hair sinks quickly, it has high porosity; if it takes a while to sink, it has low porosity. The strand test involves pulling out a strand of hair and examining its texture and appearance. High porosity hair may feel rough or look damaged, while low porosity hair may feel smooth and look healthy. The slip 'n' slide test involves sliding a finger up a strand of hair to feel how easily it moves. High porosity hair will feel rough and bumpy, while low porosity hair will feel smooth and slick.
Knowing your hair type, texture, and porosity is important for choosing the right products and techniques for your hair. For example, if you have curly or coily/kinky hair, you may need to use more moisturizing products to combat dryness and frizz. If you have fine hair, you may want to use lighter products to avoid weighing it down. If you have low porosity hair, you may need to use heat to help products penetrate the hair shaft, while high porosity hair may require regular protein treatments to strengthen the hair.