Hair Guide Curl Pattern 4C
YOUR 4C HAIRCARE CALENDAR
Use this interactive calendar to see daily haircare guidelines based on your curl pattern.
WHAT IS TYPE 4C KINKY HAIR?
Within the Type 4 hair family, 4c hair is the kinkiest hair texture. It is more coily and springy in comparison to 4a. Also, 4c has an "s" pattern, while 4b has a "z" pattern.
This hair texture is the most delicate hair type and requires additional attention in comparison to other hair types.
4c hair is identifiable by its tight curls and kinky texture, though curl definition may sometimes be non-existent.
4c hair is often comprised of fine and delicate or as wiry and coarse strands. Shrinkage is another common feature of this hair type and can cause hair to shrink up to 75% of its length.
CARING FOR 4C KINKY HAIR
Without proper maintenance, 4c natural hair can break. Therefore, it is important to become knowledgeable about 4c hair care to have healthier hair. Try to embrace your hair in its natural state, whether you recently did the big chop or you’re transitioning from relaxed hair.
Here are three useful tips to help you maintain your hair and grow beautiful, long curls.
- Do not comb dry hair. It’s best to comb your hair when it’s soaking wet with conditioner to give you slip. The best approach is to section your hair and detangle under running cool water or have a mixture of water and conditioner, but make sure your hair is dripping wet.
- You could also use a detangler. Having good slip means your hair will detangle faster and the curls will slide apart without clinging to each other.
- Avoid using small tooth combs. They might be perfect for making parts, but they’ll wreak havoc on your strands. Opt for a wide-tooth comb or use your fingers to detangle your hair instead.
- Don’t use a brush on 4c hair. Brushes pull your hair strands, causing split ends and breakage. Even using a boar brush to neaten your nape and edges could result in thinning hair over time. Who wants thin edges?
4C NATURAL HAIR REGIMEN
The best way to maintain your 4c natural hair is to develop a routine. This will help your hair remain healthy, moisturized, and ready to grow. Using a hair roller is an easy and economical way of stretching your hair because you only buy the rollers once.
Moisturizer For Natural 4c Hair
One of the most helpful strategies for maintaining 4c hair is to use the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method. Here’s what to do:
- Spritz your hair with water, then with oil. This combo will lock in moisture.
- Follow with a cream or a leave-in conditioner. This method of moisturizing your hair is known as the LOC method. It seals in moisture and is a crucial step for women with 4c natural hair.
- Pull your hair into a loose ponytail or pineapple. Then wrap your hair with a satin bonnet or scarf. Wearing this extra protection will help the hair to retain hair moisture. If you follow these rules every day and evening, this will help you to achieve moisturized long hair.
If you are currently wearing a protective style, be sure to moisturize your hair daily or every other day.
Co-Washing Your Hair
Co-washing, short for conditioner-wash, is a crucial step toward having healthy hair. Shampoo with sulfates can strip the scalp and hair of natural moisture, so you should try to limit shampoo washing unless it is sulfate-free like this one here.
Try washing your hair with conditioner only. You’ll gently cleanse the hair of product build-up while still maintaining moisture. Many women with 4c natural hair co-wash their hair weekly.
Washing Your Hair With Shampoo
You still need to use shampoo to thoroughly cleanse the hair, it’s best to use a sulfate-free moisture rich shampoo such as Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
Be sure to follow all shampoos with a deep-conditioning treatment.
Conditioning Your Hair
You need to deep-condition if you want to have healthy, long curls. Why? When you condition your hair, you are replacing much-needed moisture into your hair and scalp.
Follow all shampoo and deep-conditioning treatment with the LOC method. This moisture technique will help your 4c natural hair seal in moisture.
Always remember to section your hair while co-washing and deep-conditioning. Parting the hair and applying helps the product coat all strands evenly. A rule of thumb is to start applying your products to the ends of your hair first then work your way up. It will make it easier to detangle and helps combat breakage.
Prismax Nutritivo Treatments
To facilitate natural hair growth, your hair's porosity levels need to be at a healthy level. If you notice that it takes a long time for your hair to dry or your hair frizzes really easily, then try adding Prismax Nutritivo to your hair care routine. You should do a Prismax treatment once per month. Prismax coupled with LOC method will give your hair all the essential moisturizers and natural protection your hair needs for softer and healthier hair.
4C NATURAL HAIRSTYLES
The best hairstyles for 4c natural hair are those that require minimal manipulation and those that retain moisture. A structured cut will be easy for you to maintain if you recently did the big chop or like to have short hair.
Three of the easiest low-manipulation styles for long hair are two-strand twists, twist outs, and Bantu knots. These styles are ideal for women with 4c natural hair because there is little room for the hair to become tangled and many opportunities to retain moisture.
You have plenty of options available if you want to add length by using hair extensions. Braid and twist extensions, weaves, and crochet braids are great protective styles that will help your hair grow underneath.
Be sure to pay close attention to your hairline when you wear extensions. Hair from this part of the scalp is very fine and can break easily.
4C HAIR PRODUCTS
The best hair products for 4c hair lock-in moisture. These products will help you detangle your hair, which is vital for hair that gets tangled and matted easily.
Oils
Coating the hair with oil is a crucial step to lock in moisture in 4c natural hair. Coconut oil is easy to find and affordable. It promotes hair growth and makes the hair stronger. You’ll probably notice less breakage after using the oil for several days.
Add coconut oil to your daily hair care regimen, to your co-wash formula, and to your deep-conditioning treatments.
Extra-virgin olive oil is also perfect for 4c natural hair textures. This oil is known for its ability to soften and strengthen the hair.
Olive oil contains fantastic scalp-care benefits. It moisturizes hair follicles and reduces dandruff. It even helps to eliminate product build-up. You can use extra virgin olive oil as a deep conditioning hot oil treatment or add it to your daily hair regimen.
Avocado oil, which is rich in vitamins A, B, D, E, and protein, works to protect your hair from heat and sun damage.
Shampoos
Check ingredient labels when you buy shampoos to make sure they do not contain sulfates or parabens. Your shampoo should include moisturizing agents to protect from dryness. A high-quality shampoo you can use is Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
Conditioners
All deep-conditioners should restore moisture, promote growth and leave your hair shiny. Top treatments for natural hair include Prismax Nutritivo.
TIPS TO HELP YOUR 4C NATURAL HAIR GROW
Kinkier hair needs extra care because the hair texture is more fragile than other types. This means that if you want to have long hair, you must work hard and put forth the effort to take care of it.
Kinky hair grows ½ an inch per month on average. You need to maintain your hair well and do protective styling to help your 4c hair texture grow.
Be extra gentle when you care for your hair. You don’t need to run out and buy the most expensive products on the shelf, but you should try to create the most cost-effective solution to moisturize, detangle, and protect your hair.
Finger combing while the hair is damp, is one of the best methods of detangling. This process alone will lead to much less breakage and will result in hair growth.
Protective hairstyles such as twists, cornrows, braids, coils, and tuck-and-roll require less daily manipulation. Less manipulation will help you moisturize your mane, retain more length and reduce shedding.
Type 4c natural hair is delicate by nature. However, if you create a natural hair care regimen and rely on protective styling, your 4c natural hair will remain healthy, moisturized and bountiful.