Your hair type plays a significant role in your appearance, the way you see yourself and the way others perceive you. If you are unsure whether 1A hair is straight or wavy or are wondering if your ringlets might be considered type 2A hair or 3A hair, take this short hair type quiz to determine your exact hair type and subtype once and for all.
When you’ve identified your hair type, you can better understand how to take care of it. This is very important in keeping your hair healthy, beautiful, and easy to style. This article will tell you everything you need about the main 4 hair types, such as:
Human hair can be classified according to several characteristics, such as texture, curl pattern, density or porosity [1][2]. Curl pattern is commonly considered the most important way to differentiate hair types, as it is easy to identify and helps determine the specific kind of care each type needs.
Hair with different natural shapes has different properties, such as coarseness, frizziness, resistance to hair breakage, or propensity for getting oily, dry or tangled.
Understanding your hair type gives you insight into the kind of hair products you need to use, the care routines you need to follow and the practices to avoid if you want to get healthy hair. Moreover, it can help you spot damaged hair or detect the first signs of hair thinning in a timely fashion. This can lead to higher effectiveness of hair growth treatments and better luck treating and repairing damaged hair at home.
For each of the questions below, choose the statement that best matches your hair. If you are unsure or torn between several options, ask a family member or friend which one fits your hair best.
Let’s start by finding out what type of hair you have before going into subsets. These questions will help you discover if your hair is Type 1, 2, 3 or 4:
1. When my hair is dry and has no styling products on, it looks:
2. Which one of these models’ hair textures is most similar to yours in its natural state?
3. When it’s at its healthiest, what does your hair feel like when you touch it after brushing?
4. If you were to measure the diameter of your tightest natural curls, how large would they be?
5. How much volume does your hair naturally have (with no products applied)?
Count the number of times you chose the answer corresponding to each letter and see the guide below for your result:
Mosty a) answers: You have smooth, straight, Type I hair.
Mostly b) answers: You have vibrant, wavy Type 2 hair
Mostly c) answers: You have playful, curly Type 3 hair
Mostly d) answers: You have luscious, coily Type 4 hair
If your score is a tie between two options, your hair may be subset C of the straighter hair type or subset A of the curlier one.
Here is an example: If you are tied between options a) and b), you may have type 1C hair (which is a bit coarser than A and B) or type 2A hair (very loose, fine waves which can sometimes appear straight). If so, take the next part of the quiz for both hair types and see which subtype fits you best.
You can also read the descriptions of the hair types in this article, look at the corresponding photos and see which one you feel describes your hair most accurately.
Now that you know what kind of hair you have, it is time to determine whether it belongs to the A, B or C subtype. Find your hair type below and answer the questions below it the same way you did with those above (please note that all questions refer to your natural, unstyled hair, with no cosmetic products in it):
1. Take a strand of hair between your fingers and run them across its entire length. How does it feel?
2. Pull a few hairs out and look at them. Most of them appear:
3. Which of these photos resembles your natural hair the most?
4. How much volume and body would you say your hair naturally has?
Results:
The letter you have picked most frequently likely indicates your hair subtype:
If there is a tie, use question 2 as a tie-breaker or see a trichologist for an accurate assessment.
1. How would you describe the natural waves in your curls?
2. Which of these photos does your natural hair resemble most?
3. Where do the waves in your hair start?
The answer you have selected most frequently likely reveals your hair subtype:
1. Look at your natural curls in the mirror and feel their texture. How would you best describe them?
2. Which of the following photos do your natural curls look closest to?
3. How frizzy is your hair when it is healthy (not particularly dry or damaged)?
The answer you have opted for most often likely shows your hair subtype:
1. What do the coils in your hair resemble the most?
2. Which of these photos appears closer to your own natural curls?
3. How much does your hair length shrink once it is dried after washing it?
The option you have chosen most often says a lot about your hair subtype:
When taking into account factors such as hair texture and pattern, as well as curl tightness and diameter, human hair is traditionally classified in 4 major types, each with its own subtypes. These categories cover all ethnicities and are applicable to both genders, as no significant differences have been noted in the typology of male and female hair [1].
Here is what you need to know about the main hair types and their subsets:
This type of hair is straight, soft and smooth and has a very fine texture. It is likely the most common in the world, as most Asians and a significant proportion of Caucasian and Hispanic people have straight hair.
Due to its flat texture, it has the least amount of natural volume of all hair types, but it is also the least frizzy and the easiest to detangle and style. There are, however, some small variations among people with type 1 hair, as follows:
Type 1A hair – it is the finest hair type and also the straightest, with almost no curvature or natural volume. However, it is shiny, sleek and easy to brush, as it doesn’t tangle much.
Type 1B hair – this subtype has a bit more thickness and body than 1A, and some of its strands may even show some arching. However, it is still straight, smooth and mostly flat.
Type 1C hair – 1C hair has more body and volume than 1A and 1B and may show a slight wave, especially towards the ends. It is also coarser and thicker and more predisposed to frizziness, especially in humid weather.
The main trait of type 2 hair is its S-shaped waves. Its texture is usually smooth, though its thickness and coarseness can vary. When it comes to volume, it increases gradually from straighter hair at the roots to more textured ends. Its subsets are categorised by the definition of their waves, as follows:
Type 2A hair – people with 2A strands have loose waves of rather fine hair. The curvature usually starts towards the ends, which makes this hair type easily confused with 1C. However, its arches are better defined and it has more body than type 1C hair.
Type 2B hair – waves start higher with 2B hair, towards the middle of your strands. They are more defined and bouncier than the 2A hair. 2B hair may still lack volume at the crown but makes up for it with fuller body and thicker, stronger strands.
Type 2C hair – this hair subtype has well-defined waves, with ends that are almost curly. Since the hair starts to curve from high up, near the roots, it has body and volume throughout its length. Strands are often coarser and thicker than the other 2 subtypes.
What sets type 3 hair apart is its luscious ringlets and spirals, which give it volume, bounce and a spring-like texture. The curls are much tighter than type 2 hair waves and they can be prone to tangling and frizziness if not properly maintained.
Curl diameter can vary from the size of a wine cork to that of a corkscrew. However, they are still rounded, without angles or Z-patterns. While some people can have soft ringlets, type 3 hair is usually thicker and coarser.
Type 3A hair – Ringlets are well-defined but not very tight, about the size of a round permanent marker. They are shiny and bouncy and while they are thicker than straight hair, they can also be soft to the touch.Type 3B hair – 3B hair has a spring-like appearance with tighter curls than 3A, which are about the size of a felt-tip pen. They are also coarser and bouncier, but still not fully coiled. Curls start from the hair roots, giving it full body.Type 3C hair – This subtype has the tightest curls which are small and coily, usually the size of a pencil. It has plenty of volume, but it is also highly prone to frizziness and tangling, especially in humid weather. Strands are often coarse and thick, which gives them a robust appearance.
This hair type is also known as Afro hair, as it is normally found in people of African descent. It is highly coily, kinky and has Z-shaped, zig-zagging patterns. Its curls can be so tight that they produce massive amounts of volume, making the hair look big and fluffy.
The length also appears to be shorter than other hair types, because the tight curling makes it shrink considerably in its dry, natural state compared to when it is wet, relaxed, or straightened.
Type 4A hair – this subtype has the softest coils, some of which can still be S-shaped. They are full-bodied, tighter and bouncier than type 3 hair, but they are not overwhelmingly voluminous. The curls stretch easily when brushed, but revert to their original shape.
Type 4B hair – Zig-zags define 4B hair, as its small and tightly coiled curls are distinctly Z-shaped. They are coarse and thick, with a spongy feel and a predisposition to frizziness. They have plentiful volume, but their cottony texture can make them difficult to style.
Type 4C hair – This is the kinkiest hair subtype, with curls so densely packed that they form a fluffy, super-voluminous mass. The strands are thick and can be very frizzy, requiring a significant amount of moisturising and conditioning to style. They also experience the most shrinkage when dry compared to their wet or stretched length.
There are some general care tips that everyone, regardless of their hair type, should follow, such as keeping your hair clean and conditioned, trimming the ends regularly, and avoiding heat damage to your hair.
However, there are also specific care recommendations meant to maintain and enhance the beauty of each hair type. Here are the most important:
Straight, fine hair can get oily more easily than other types, as it is easier for the natural oil produced by your scalp to glide down the shaft. So it is a good idea to wash it regularly.
If you are wondering how often you should wash your hair, it’s best to do so 5-6 times a week [3]) to keep it looking clean and fresh. The hair products you use, such as conditioners or hair mousses, also need to be light so they won’t weigh down finer strands.
Finally, type 1 hair is naturally flat, so using volumising hair products and hair thickening shampoo can give it some body and make it look fuller and more alive.
Wavy hair requires a fine balancing act between providing it with the moisture it needs and weighing down its curls with heavier hair products. The best thing you can do is to use gentle shampoos that are free of sodium lauryl/laureth sulphates and parabens, as well as lightweight moisturising conditioners.
If you have frizzier hair, try using a leave-in conditioner, but make sure it is not too heavy. Wavy hair is normally among the easiest to style, so you can probably avoid heat styling and chemical hair treatments entirely. For better wave definition, opt for a hair type-appropriate gel or mousse or simply braid your wet strands and let them air dry.
Curly hair can be tricky to manage since it tends to get frizzy and tangled. It requires extra moisturising and conditioning and patient daily brushing to remove all the tangles. Be sure to wait until your hair is fully dry (as damp strands break off more easily [4]) and use a special detangling brush or a wide-tooth comb for best results.
Using some essential oils for hair growth can also help maintain its moisture and soften the strands, reducing frizziness. Occasional application of a leave-in conditioner can help make your curls more manageable, better defined and easier to style.
Type 4 hair can be very dry and brittle. If not properly hydrated, it can easily end up needing treatment for hair that feels like straw. So be sure to keep it well-moisturised and conditioned at all times, preferably using gentle products developed especially for Afro hair.
Heavier hair growth oils and thick, creamy leave-in conditioners can be used on coily strands to help with maximum moisture absorption. Detangling must be done very carefully and gently, with a special brush or comb, preferably multiple times a day.
Wearing your hair in a protective style, such as ponytails, braids or buns, can also help prevent breakage, but be careful not to tie it too tight or wear these hairstyles for long periods to avoid traction alopecia.
Your genes and ethnicity are the main determining factors of your hair texture and type. Just like the shape and colour of your eyes, this trait is inherited from family members.
Certain ethnicities are more prone to specific hair types [5]. For example, people of Asian descent are more likely to have very straight type 1 hair, while those of African descent often have tight, densely packed type 4 curls. People of Caucasian and Hispanic descent often exhibit a wider range of hair types, from straight type 1 to wavy type 2 or curly type 3.
However, there are also other factors that can alter your hair texture, making it thinner or coarser. The most important ones are age, hormones, and certain systemic illnesses (e.g. thyroid disorders that can also cause hair loss, or iron deficiency anaemia which can damage your hair texture).
Hair loss can be concerning for anyone, regardless of your hair type. However, some textures make it easier to spot in a timely fashion, while others conceal it better. Here are the hair thinning signs to look out for according to each hair type:
Straight, fine hair makes any hair shedding more visible because it lacks volume and body to conceal it. The thin strands may already give your hair a sparser appearance than thicker, more textured ones. But if your hair becomes so thin you can see your scalp in certain areas, you may be experiencing a type of alopecia.
So while your ponytail may be relatively slim, check your scalp for a widening of your hair parting (or, if you are a man, check for signs of a receding hairline). These can be the first signs of androgenetic alopecia.
Wavy hair is more textured, which means it could be a little more difficult to spot the first signs of hair thinning and balding than for type 1. However, you should still be able to easily see the signs of diffuse hair thinning around the crown, especially if you have 2A or 2B hair, where the waving starts significantly lower than your hair roots.
So even if the lengths of your hair look healthy and full, check your hair parting, crown and frontal area regularly for signs of diffuse hair loss (e.g. a Christmas tree pattern around your midline parting if you are developing female pattern baldness or frontal balding if you are developing male pattern baldness).
Curly hair has less tensile strength and it is more prone to hair breakage than straighter types. It is also frizzier and dryer, which makes for a bad combination for safe styling. Dry, brittle hair breaks off easily, and it can take a lot of moisturising and significant patience to brush it without snapping too many strands. Over time, this mechanical breakage can lead to thinner hair.
However, curly hair can also make it seem like you are experiencing more hair shedding than you really are, as the lost strands are more voluminous. Keep in mind that it is normal to shed 50-100 hairs a day and that a tuft of loose curly strands can look much bigger than if it were made of straight ones, especially if your hair is longer and coarser.
Type 4 hair is the most prone to frizziness and breakage. Afro hair is particularly fragile as it has fewer cuticle cell layers and fewer glands that produce natural hair oil. Its many kinks and sharp angles also contribute to its fragility, making it difficult to style.
Since it also has the slowest growth rate, research shows Afro hair often breaks faster than it grows [6]. People who have it are also predisposed to a condition called trichorrhexis nodosa, which creates weak spots on your hair shafts, making them very fragile. This condition can be innate or triggered by aggressive styling practices, such as rough brushing, heat styling, or chemical dye application [7].
Afro hair is also predisposed to traction alopecia [8]. However, that is not because of its natural properties, but because of prevailing styling practices. Many traditional hairstyles for this hair type (e.g. braids and cornrows) are very tight, which places tension on the hair follicles. If they are worn extensively, they can make hair fall out and temporarily stop growing in the affected area.
Caring for your hair type can be a delicate endeavour, especially if you have alopecia, a common scalp problem, or other unique attributes. You may also have unconventional styling preferences or an allergy to certain components in hair products. In this case, it is best to get your care routine advice from an experienced hair specialist.
Book a consultation with one of our skilled trichologists and they will carefully analyse your hair structure, ask you about your medical history and listen to your hair needs and preferences. Then they will recommend the safest and most effective personalised hair care techniques and products. And if you are also experiencing hair loss, they will diagnose it and prescribe the best hair loss treatment for women or the most effective hair loss treatment for men.
If you are curious to find out more about your hair type, take a look at the answers to these frequently asked questions:
Your hair type is genetically predetermined and there is nothing you can do to permanently alter the way it grows (although it may undergo some natural texture alterations with age and hormonal changes).
However, there are many styling solutions to get it looking the way you want, such as curling or straightening tools, which can help you get the desired appearance. Hair treatments like perms or hair relaxers can change your hair appearance for a longer amount of time (just be sure to use them sparingly, as they can damage your hair).
Hair classification is not an exact science and there isn’t a universal consensus over how many hair types they are and what traits they include. Most stylists and hair specialists use this simple 4 hair type system, as it is easy to understand, comprehensive and provides all the necessary information regarding how to recognise and care for the most common hair patterns and textures.
This classification is a helpful tool in maintaining your hair health and beauty. However, some researchers have created different hair typologies, according to their study needs. For example, Loussouarn et al published an article where they proposed a more particular 8-hair type system, based on a novel curl metre [2].
There are several genes involved in determining your hair texture, curvature and thickness [9]. Both your parents pass on some genetic information and the way those puzzle pieces combine determines the final result. So the genes from your mother and father may have combined in a way that gives you a different hair type from theirs.
Moreover, there are also recessive genes that may occasionally be passed down from grandparents or other biological relatives. So your hair may be more similar to your grandma’s or grandpa’s than to your parents’.
Difficulty in styling and maintaining hair can depend on several factors, such as your age, hair health and styling preferences. However, in most cases, type 4 hair is the most high maintenance. That is because it’s most prone to dryness and frizz, and requires a lot of time and dedication to deep condition, moisturise and detangle it. You’ll also need several styling products to coax it into your desired hairstyle.
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