What is Type 4 Hair? Differences Between 4a, 4b, 4c Hair Types

Curly. Coily. Kinky. Welcome to the wonders of type 4 hair. To understand what works for your hair, you must first know and understand your hair type and curl pattern. It doesn’t matter what your hair type is, all hair types need a certain level of love to flourish and grow beautifully.

Let’s dive deeper into the kinky, curly world of your glorious hair.

What is Type 4 Hair? 

Celebrity hairstylist Andre Walker understood that there’s more to hair than just straight, wavy, or curly. After all, he worked with Oprah for over two decades! Andre Walker’s Hair Typing System identifies four main categories of hair with more specific sub-types.

Every level of type 4 hair differs with unique curls, kinks, and coils. Knowing your hair type is like unlocking a secret code to the beauty of your hair – and we have the cheat codes to share with you!

• Type 4A is tightly curled and has an S pattern when stretched out with the least amount of shrinkage.

• Type 4B is tight coils in a Z pattern with a high level of shrinkage, and the coils are not well-defined without styling products.

• Type 4C s tight, close coils with the highest level of shrinkage and least amount of definition.

Not sure which type 4 hair you have? Check out photos of these lovely ladies and see which one is the closest match to your hair.

• Type 4A ladies, your celebrity curl-friend is Yaya Dacosta.
• Type 4B ladies, your celebrity curl-friend is Teyonah Parris.
• Type 4C ladies, your celebrity curl-friend is Lupita Nyong’o.

Type 4 hair typically grows from the crowns of Black women, and it’s the most delicate of hair textures. If you have type 4 hair, you already know that it needs a lot of attention and maintenance.

What is the Best Hair Care for Type 4 Hair?

With proper care, achieving healthy hair is possible. The secret to luscious locks is meeting your hair’s needs. The number one need for type 4 hair is moisture.

Type 4A hair retains moisture pretty well but is still prone to dryness. A quality leave-in conditioner is a perfect way to maintain hydration throughout the day.

To bring type 4B curls to life, detangle with a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and use styling products to enhance your curls. Type 4C hair ranges from kinky and coarse to cotton soft.

The extra-tight coils of type 4C hair cause extreme dryness, so replenish your curls with oils and butters to see your kinks and coils glow.

Too Often to Condition Type 4 Hair?

The thirst is real for type 4 kinky hair, so hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Do a deep condition twice a month to ensure growth and healthy curls. In between those sessions, a lightweight leave-in condition is perfect to keep your hair hydrated and your curls poppin’.

What is Daily Dose?

Still haven’t found the perfect product for your type 4 kinky coils? Then you need Daily Dose™ Leave-In Conditioner.

It is a cruelty-free, lightweight leave-in conditioner spray, uniquely formulated for every hair type. Daily Dose moisturizes your type 4 locks to keep frizz away. It doesn’t cause buildup so it won’t weigh down your coils. Use Daily Dose every day to keep your hair shiny and keep your well-defined gorgeous natural curls soft.

Related Hair Type Articles and TIPS

How to Manage Type 4 (Coily, Kinky) Hair

Type 3 Hair (Curly) Overview and How to Manage Type 3 (Curly) Hair

Type 2 Hair (Wavy)

Type 1 Hair (Straight) Overview

Author: Jaisyn Kai

Jaisyn is an LA native and a lover of all things creative! She embraces the cliché nature of her talents and thrives as a model, actress, and writer. When she isn’t creating for brands, she is working on her personal blog, where the focus is fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, and as a screenwriter, she has created a web-series loosely based on her life. Jaisyn believes in uplifting and inspiring women. This quote from her exemplifies that, “Our heels were made to stomp cracks into pavements, so other women will know where to follow.” To keep up with Jaisyn, follow her on IG @iJaisynKai.