Hair Guide Curl Pattern 4A
WHAT IS 4A HAIR?
So, you’ve just discovered you have 4a natural hair, and now you’re researching how to take care of it. Good move. You might have recently transitioned, done the big chop, or maybe you’ve been natural for a while.
You’re probably reading this post because you’re ready to give your locks the love and care they deserve. You’ve seen gorgeous 4a natural hair types on countless blogs and YouTube channels, but there’s so much information that it’s overwhelming.
Where do you start, and how can you get those long, lovely curls you’ve seen in the videos?
Taking care of your 4a natural hair is easy once you build a routine and develop a habit. Using a regimen over a period of months or years will give you shinier, healthier hair.
In this post, we’ll look at how to take care of your 4a hair, and give you some tips on what products to use to get the long, luscious curls you’re dying to have.
CARING FOR 4A HAIR
Hydration is what every curly queen needs. The kinkier your hair, the more moisture you’ll require. Kinky hair is prone to dryness because the oils from your scalp’s sebum cannot coat the entire strand.
And tight curls get damaged easily because the tiny coils wrap around each other and tangle. When you try to pull them apart to detangle your hair, the strands break.
So, the first step of any curly hair routine is to make sure you have enough moisture. Using products that contain enough moisturizers is crucial to ensure your hair doesn’t snap during the detangling process.
There are many hydration methods you can do, but one of the best ways is through deep-conditioning.
4A NATURAL HAIR REGIMEN
If you follow a great hair care regimen, you’ll be showing off your shiny, defined curls in no time. The key is to get rid of the dryness that leads to frizz. Your hair’s health can change within weeks if you follow a plan. Even if you have damaged or color-treated hair, you can repair each hair strand to have stronger, healthier hair.
You’ll need to adopt a routine on the daily and weekly basis that consists of locking in moisture and repairing each strand.
Most naturals follow the LOC method for locking in moisture. The method works well because of the layering of protective elements. Here is a breakdown of the LOC Method:
Liquid: Water is the number one hydration. You probably won’t want to shower your hair every day, but you can dampen it with a handy spray bottle. Use only distilled or pure water in your bottle to prevent mold and bacteria. You can also add a few drops of a nice-smelling oil like eucalyptus if you’d like. You should also use a detangler during or after this step.
Oil: Healing oils are the next ingredient you want to add to your hair. The best oils for 4a natural hair care are coconut, jojoba, Jamaican black castor, avocado, and almond. They will work to penetrate the hair shaft and will guard against breakage.
Cream: 4a hair requires a layer of thick cream to coat the hair strand and protect the shaft.
Besides deep-conditioning, adding a monthly treatment like Prismax Nutritivo to your routine would work wonders to strengthen and restore your curls. See more about type 4a natural hair products below.
4A NATURAL HAIR PRODUCTS
Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners are the best products to use for your curly hair. A fantastic shampoo for natural 4a hair is Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
Your conditioner should be moisturizing and have good slip so that knots will detangle easier and quicker. A good conditioner is Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Conditioner.
Curly hair tangles and knots easily, so always use a product to help detangle your locks. Many naturals tend to shed hair while combing out the tangles, especially when the hair is dry.
Untangling your hair with a detangling product will prevent breakage.
MOISTURIZER FOR NATURAL 4A HAIR
The drier your hair is, the more it will break. So, using moisturizers is a must if you’re natural. Quality oils will strengthen, protect, and stimulate your scalp to grow hair. You can use the oils as a healthy part of the LOC method, and you can add any of the oils to your shampoo and conditioner bottles.
The best way to moisturize hair is the L.O.C. (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) method. Start by applying water or a water-based leave-in conditioner. Then, layer a beneficial oil, and a cream to lock in moisture as the last step. Do this after every wash.
Every month, you should apply a Prismax treatment to your haircare routine for additional moisture and preventative maintenance.
One of the biggest misconceptions about type 4 hair is that it doesn’t grow as fast as other hair types. This is not true. All hair types grow at the same rate, but type 4 hair breaks more than other hair types.
You can achieve hair growth by taking care of your ends and preventing breakage.
BEST SHORT 4A NATURAL HAIRSTYLES
There are 4a natural hairstyles for every hair length. Here are some of the best short 4a natural hairstyles:
AFROS:
This is an obvious choice, and it has looked gorgeous since its major debut in the 70s. Afro hair can become easily tangled though, so be sure to moisturize daily and finger-comb it when it is damp and oiled.
TWISTED OR BRAIDED UP-DO:
Updos work well for people who want to give the illusion that their hair is longer. Twists are a natural way to stretch hair and will give it a longer appearance. Updos are perfect for women who need a protective style because you can tuck the ends.
BEST LONG 4A NATURAL HAIRSTYLES
Here are some styles for long 4a natural hair.
FLAT TWISTS OR BRAIDS WITH LOOSE ENDS:
The twists or braids can go toward the front, or toward the back. Use flexi-rods or hair rollers to moisturize and curl the loose ends.
TWISTED BUN:
This style is simple because it just requires a few large twists, twisted into a bun. It is a low-maintenance and fast style that can last a few days.
STRETCHED UP-DO:
There are many ways to stretch hair without heat. You can put your hair in 2-4 buns and leave it overnight, or use braids, twists, flexi-rods, or hair rollers to stretch it out. Updos are a great way to protect your delicate strands from damage.
If you want to stretch it quickly, then you can blow dry your hair. However, excessive heat use will lead to damage, so it’s best to have patience and use a no-heat method.
TAPERED HAIR:
Tapered hair is an afro that has shorter sides and a shorter back in comparison to the front. It’s an effective way to get rid of damaged edges without losing most of your length.
4A PROTECTIVE STYLES
There are many options if you want to use a protective style by using extensions. Try one of these:
HAIR WEAVE:
Sew-ins are popular because you can have the hair you want by choosing the length, color, and texture. They last about three months, but you’ll need to oil and moisturize your hair underneath and take care of the weave hair too.
BOX BRAIDS:
Box braids can be one of the most time-consuming hairstyles to install, but they also have the lowest maintenance. They can feel heavy depending on how many packs of hair you use, so you may want to keep them in a bun to minimize the weight on your neck. Avoid braiding the fine hair along your edges. It can lead to balding.
CROTCHET TWISTS OR BRAIDS:
Crochet extensions are the fastest and easiest to install. Many people install them by themselves at home because they only require 6-10 cornrows and a crochet needle. You can keep the hair twisted/braided out or unravel them for a faux braid-out.
FAUX LOCS:
These are time-consuming to install but look natural and last a long time. Faux locs are perfect for women who are considering getting dreads but want to see how they look beforehand or wait until their hair is longer to start twisting.
Taking care of your 4a hair can be a challenge in the beginning, but it will get easier once you get the hang of it. When you build a routine, you can make a habit.
Creating a regular habit out of your natural hair care routine will be the best thing for your hair. If you take care of your hair every day for one year, your curls will be so healthy and beautiful that you’ll never want to go back to a chemical relaxer.
