What is your hair type? Let's know exactly what it is and take proper care of it!

Have you ever wondered why your hair is the way it is? Some people have very straight, shiny hair. Others have beautiful curls . Others have very attractive, small curls. A shampoo and conditioner that works for your friend may not work for you for this reason. So today we will talk about these hair types, that is, `(Hair Types)`. When you know exactly your hair type, it is very easy to care for it properly and keep it beautiful.

What are the main types of this hair?

Simply put, there are four main types of hair. They are:

1. Straight Hair

2. Wavy Hair

3. Curly Hair

4. Coily Hair

Each of these types is further divided into several subtypes (such as A, B, and C), depending on the nature, thickness, and curl pattern of the hair.

Whether your hair is straight, curly, thin, or thick is determined mainly by your genes . That is, what you get from your parents. It is also influenced by the shape of the hair follicle, the small hole in the skin of your scalp where the hair grows . For example, people with curly and kinky hair have hair follicles that are shaped like hooks. People with straight hair have round hair follicles.

How do you find out exactly what your hair type is?

This is very easy. You can try this at home.

First, shampoo and wash your hair thoroughly. Then, let it air dry at room temperature without using any heat (dryer). Once your hair is completely dry, look in a mirror.

• Type 1 (Ty PE 1): If the hair is completely straight, without any waves, it is straight hair.
• Type 2: If the hair has a slight wave, like the shape of the letter 'S', it is wavy hair.
• Type 3: If the hair has clearly visible, spiral-like curls, it is curly hair.
• Type 4: If the hair dries in very tight, small, tightly coiled curls, it is curly hair.

Let's now look at each of these types separately in detail.

Type 1: Straight Hair

This type of hair is completely straight. It does not naturally curl. Because the oil produced in the scalp ( sebum ) easily flows down the hair shaft, this hair is very shiny . It also becomes oily quickly.

• 1A: Very thin, fine hair. Difficult to curl easily. This is the rarest hair type in the world.
• 1B: Slightly thicker than 1A. Has a little volume. This is the most common type in the world.
• 1C: The thickest of the three types. Less likely to be bloated.

How do you take care of this hair?

This type of hair tends to get oily quickly, so it's best to wash it every other day or so . Use a volumizing shampoo that doesn't weigh your hair down and a light conditioner that contains ingredients like coconut oil and jojoba oil.

Type 2: Wavy Hair

This hair is neither curly nor completely curly. It has soft curls in an 'S' shape. In a humid country like Sri Lanka, this hair can be a bit frizzy.

• 2A: Very fine, thin curls. Easy to straighten if desired, or curl a little more.
• 2B: A little more curl. More volume. There's also a bit of bounce.
• 2C: Thick, wavy. It has a lot of curl when dry. It is more bouncy than the other two types.

How do you take care of this hair?

Wash your hair about once every three days. Use lightweight products that moisturize your hair . Using a leave-in conditioner will help keep your curls in good condition.

Type 3: Curly Hair

Now we come to the curly hair type. These have well-defined curls. Since it is difficult for the oils from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair shaft, this type of hair can be a bit dry .

• 3A: Big, loose curls in an 'S' shape.
• 3B: A little tight, curls like a spring.
• 3C: Very tight, small curls. Gives good volume to the hair.

How do you take care of this hair?

Since hair tends to be dry, washing it once a week is enough . Washing it too often can dry out your hair even more. It is a good idea to do a deep conditioning treatment after each wash. This will help control frizz.

Type 4: Coily Hair

This is the tightest and thickest type of curly hair. Although it may look coarse at first glance, this hair is actually made up of a large number of very fine hair strands that are joined together . Therefore, this hair is very delicate and can break easily.

• 4A: 'S' shaped, well-defined tight curls.
• 4B: Curls bent into a 'Z' shape, with sharp angles.
• 4C: The smallest and tightest curls.

How do you take care of this hair?

This hair type is very dry. Therefore , it needs to be moisturized as much as possible . Wash with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and use a conditioner that locks in moisture. It is essential to use a leave-in conditioner and butters (shea butter, cocoa butter) or oils (coconut oil, argan oil). You need to be very careful when combing and styling your hair, as it can break easily.

Hair appearance and social attitudes

This is a topic we need to talk about. Historically, in some parts of the world, especially among black people, there has been discrimination against naturally curly hair. It is a form of racial discrimination. There have even been cases of people branding natural hair as "unprofessional."

The most important thing is to love your hair and take proper care of it. If you have any problems, for example, excessive hair loss, baldness, etc., it is very important to consult your doctor (doctor) and seek advice.

Hair Types, Hair Type, How to Care for Hair, Straight Hair, Wavy Hair, Curly Hair, Hair Care Sinhala