Haircare Hacks for Type 4 Hair

Type 4 hair is arguably the most difficult hair type to style and maintain, and it’s easy to tell why. These curls and coils tend to be extremely dry and prone to breakage. When you’ve got type 4 hair, you need all the helpful information you can get your hands on. In this article, we’ll share with you the top haircare hacks for type 4 hair. 

What is Type 4 Hair?

Type 4 hair is characterized by tiny coils or ringlets that may take on an afro texture when combed out. Just like other hair types, type 4 hair has 3 subtypes: 

• Type 4A - 4A curls are the loosest of all type 4 curls. They take on an “S” shape and are sensitive to manipulation and harsh products.

• Type 4B - 4B curls are tighter and more voluminous than 4A curls. They are also known to be somewhat difficult to moisturize and define.

• Type 4C - 4C curls are the tightest, driest curls of them all. They may be made up of tiny coils or even zigzags. They often resist moisture and break off easily after improper handling. 

Type 4 Haircare Hacks

With the type 4 hair characteristics out of the way, it’s time to get into the haircare hacks. Read on to discover how you can make your hair care routine easier! 

Switch to Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Your hair cleansing products can make or break your type 4 haircare routine. Using a cleanser that’s too harsh can leave you with crispy, wiry strands that take a lot of work to soften and rehydrate. But if you use a sulfate-free shampoo instead, it’ll cleanse your curls without drying them out. Then you won’t have to work as hard to rehydrate your hair later.

Preserve Your Curls at Night

At night, your pillowcases and covers can zap your curls of their moisture and leave them frizzy. So, before you lay down for the night, put on a silk or satin bonnet or scarf. And if you want to make your styling routine easy in the morning, put your hair into a pineapple or lightly twist your loose curls into 4 to 10 sections. Doing so will keep your curls from being smushed when you lie down on them. 

Be Gentle with Your Curls

Type 4 hair is known to be sensitive to manipulation, breaking without much force at all. A rough detangling session is enough to increase split ends or break strands entirely. So, be extra careful whenever you handle your curls. Don’t tug or pull on your strands, use fine-tooth combs, or scratch your scalp during shampoo sessions. Love your hair so it’ll love you back. 

Prioritize Moisture at Every Turn

Moisture is the name of the game when you have type 4 hair. You’ll need to use a conditioner or deep conditioner after shampooing, follow that up with your leave-in conditioner, and then finish things off with your favorite moisturizers, oils, and styling creams. But you’re not done after moisturizing your hair on wash day. You’ll need to keep the moisture levels constant with a few daily spritzes of moisture. You can do that with your leave-in. 

We hope that these hair hacks are useful to you, enabling you to revamp your curly hair routine and make the most of your texture. Good luck! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.