August 12, 2024

How to Manage Type 4 (Coily, Kinky) Hair

Knowing your hair type and its specific needs are the key to unlocking beautiful, healthy, and luscious locks.

Type 4 hair falls into three subtypes as defined by Andre Walker, a celebrity hairstylist who worked with Oprah for more than 20 years.

1. Understand Your Type 4 Hair

While there are some similar characteristics to type 4 hair, each category has its own unique features that set them apart.

Type 4A hair has distinctly S pattern curls and is somewhat stretchy.

Type 4B hair has Z pattern coils that are not very defined.

Type 4C hair has tight, dense coils with almost no definition and quite a bit of shrinkage.

The optimal time to find your curl pattern is when your hair is dry, healthy, and moisturized.

2. How to Care for Type 4 Hair

The most important thing you can do for type 4 hair is keeping it moisturized. The dry, coarse nature of type 4 hair makes its densely packed coils vulnerable to breakage.

Moisturizing is the best thing you can do for your natural curls. How you choose to moisturize your hair depends on your hair’s unique needs.

No matter what type 4 hair you have, avoid products with sulfates or parabens. Sulfates are drying, especially for natural hair which can cause flakes on your scalp.

Start with a daily spritz of water and a quality leave-in conditioner like Daily Dose™ to keep your hair moisturized throughout the day. It’s a lightweight, cruelty-free way to boost your type 4 hair’s natural beauty.

A weekly deep condition is also essential. Sit under the dryer for about 20 to 30 minutes to allow the deep conditioner to really penetrate your curls.

Make sure not to let the deep conditioner sit too long though. Leaving it in for an extended amount of time will make your hair oily and greasy. So be sure to rinse it out after half an hour.

Also, only shampoo your hair every seven days. Anything more that that will likely dry it out.

3. Benefits of Regular Haircuts for Type 4 Hair

Since type 4 hair is prone to breakage, regular haircuts are essential maintenance. Make sure to get your hair cut every four to six months to reduce tangles and breakage.

Going too long between haircuts leads to split ends which travel up the hair shaft and break the hair off.

The Deva Cut is one of the best hair cuts for type 4 hair. During a Deva Cut, your stylist will cut your hair in its natural dry state to optimize each curl. You may need to go for more frequent haircuts though if your hair grows quickly or if you wear a lot of protective styles throughout the year.

4. How to Keep Protective Styles Moisturized

Protective styles are great for reducing breakage and protecting your ends, however, you still need to be able to keep your hair moisturized without interfering with your hairstyle.

Type 4 hair is naturally more fragile and delicate, making low-maintenance styles a good choice.

Styles like box braids and crochet braids empower you to have healthy and shiny locks without the need for a blowdryer or heat tools. Plus, these types of hairstyles protect the ends of your hair, especially for longer type 4 hair.

But styles such as these should only be worn for a maximum of about eight weeks. Wearing braided hairstyles any longer than two months can actually do more harm than good.

If you must use heat tools on your hair, make sure to use a high-quality thermal hair protectant.

Giving your hair a break to rest between protective styles is also a smart move.

Navigating your type 4 hair care journey can be a challenge. But knowing your hair type and using the best products for your hair ensures that your kinky curly locks are ready for whatever life throws your way.

5. Give Your Hair Daily Dose

Navigating your type 4 hair care journey can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. Using the best products for your hair ensures that your kinky curly hair is ready for whatever life throws at you. Daily Dose™ Leave-In Conditioner is the lightweight, cruelty-free way to boost your type 4 hair’s natural beauty.