Article on Type 4 Curls and Coils giving details on what works best

Type 4 Curly Coily Curls

by British Curlies

Type 4 is the most fragile hair around. Surprised?

Type 4 hair has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type which means it has less natural protection from the damage you inflict by combing, brushing, curling, blow drying and straightening it.

The more cuticle layers in a single strand the more protection it has from damage. Each time you damage your hair-fire up the flat irons, fry it with chemicals- you break down a cuticle layer robbing your hair of much needed moisture. I cannot empathize this enough. It is like taking a wire and bending it again and again. Eventually it is going to snap and break. Many women with type 4 hair rely on chemical relaxers to make hair easier to control. In its natural state, sometimes Type 4 hair doesn’t grow very long because every time you comb it, it breaks.

Nathalie Emmanuel 4A

There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that when stretched has an “S” pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a “Z” pattern, less of a defined curl pattern instead of curling or coiling the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter “Z”.

Shingai Shoniwa 4B

Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type B, which will have a wiry texture. But what if your hair has been chemically straightened? How can you tell which subtype you belong to if your hair is relaxed? You’ll need at least one inch of new growth to tell. Pull at the roots. If you can see a definite curl pattern, then it’s an A, if not, then it’s a B.

NaturallyCurly.com type 4 readers have found the above description limiting, and somewhat misleading. They offer the following addendum:

Type 4 hair can range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse strand texture. Generally, this hair is densely packed to give the appearance of very thick but fragile hair. 4a hair has a clearly visible curl and wave pattern that ranges from pen size curls to pen spring size coils. 4b hair has a tighter wave pattern and kinks of various size. This texture does not exhibit the shine or silkiness of looser type curls, but instead has sheen, and a soft, almost cotton-like feel. As with other types of curly hair, showing the true length can be an extra challenge, as the hair may grow “up” or “out” before starting to hang down. In its unlocked/unbraided state, type 4 hair is known to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length. With the proper care and technique, type 4 hair is indeed resilient, manageable, durable, growable and easy to control.

Type 4 hair loves butters, oils and cremes. Here are a few products you may consider trying on your beautiful coils and curls.

Darcy's Botanicals Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme

Darcy's Botanicals Avocado and Honey Twisting Creme

Crown Pride Shea and Hemp Whipped Butter

Crown Pride Painya Hair Butter

Kinky-Curly Knot Today

Kinky-Curly Curling Custard

Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme

Miss Jessies Baby Buttercreme

Miss Jessies Curly Pudding

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