Written by ONAYEMI MARY
Welcome and take a seat, this is a journey of hair discovery. I've had people saying they love my virgin hair because it's soft and full but I've always wanted that tightly curled hair that looked endless and super full. I've always wondered why my hair didn't look like those of my fellow ”hair owners”.
If you also have questions about your hair structure, this and the upcoming articles are for you to figure out why your hair is different from others and how to take care of it.
Brief History
In the 1990s, Andre Walker created the hair typing system which has been widely adopted till now. Hair types were divided into 4 ( Type 1, 2, 3, 4) which were further subdivided into 3 ( a, b, c).
Type 1 hair
Straight
Type 2 hair
Wavy
Type 3 hair
Curly
Type 4 hair
Coily
These days, a lot of people claim that they have a particular hair type, but after some research, I realized you might not have just one hair type. Just one person will have type 1c, 2a, and 2b in their mane and it's perfectly fine, you are alright with it and if you have just one hair type all through that's also okay.
So buckle your seatbelt as this is going to be an interesting ride!
We'll be starting with the type 1 hair and we'll go further down to Type 4, make sure you read them all. You might not need the knowledge, but a friend might, who knows!
Straight Hair (type 1)
In the world of totally perfect hair structure, the type one hair exists. Being straight without a curl and the need to use a flattening iron, this hair type reflects light to the eye best giving it a glossy appearance. Let's go down the first rabbit hole.
Type 1a
When model-gorgeous hair is mentioned this is what comes to mind, pin-straight hair that looks like the owner never had a bad hair day. This is a very rare hair type common among Asian women which is completely straight without a curl. You might be lucky to have it, let's go through its features.
It has a finer diameter which makes it fragile and susceptible to breakage.
The natural oil or sebum that runs down the hair shaft helps it effortlessly maintain its shine. No stress of frizzy hair, phew!
Frizzy hair is hair that lacks moisture which makes it dry and brittle.
This hair type is pin-straight and unable to maintain a curl. This eliminates the need to use a straightener to style it.
When wet it lies flat without volume, almost like the hair is scanty and glued down.
Type 1b
Now, this is the most common type 1 hair, though it appears straight it has subtle waves which gives it a little volume, unlike type 1a hair. Let's see if this is where your mane belongs.
The medium-thick strands has both fine and coarse strands because it's in between 1a and 1c.
No worries to oil your hair because the sebum easily runs down the hair shaft.
Although they have little waves, luckily, they don't have frizz problems.
Of course, it's a bit thicker than type 1a hair but it might struggle to hold a curl without products.
When wet the hair might hang straight down like type 1a hair.
Type 1c
This is the waviest type 1 hair type, it has enough waves that differentiate it from all straight hair but not enough waves to place it in the wavy section. Yeah, it's quite complicated but let's just know if that's what you have.
The hair strands are coarse and lie flat at the root with slight waves from the midsection to the end.
The natural oil can easily run down the hair but it takes more time due to the hair texture.
With more waves than 1b, it can turn frizzy depending on the environment.
It's easier to hold and maintain a curl with type 1c hair.
Cons of Type 1 Hair
Now that you've identified your hair type, you should know that having type one hair isn't all roses and sunshine, it has its downsides also. But that doesn't stop it from being a great hair to have.
Prone to oiliness
Type 1 hair is generally straight which allows the sebum to easily run down the hair but with time the hair looks greasy, especially near the scalp.
Thinness
This hair type is thin which raises the chances of them breaking when roughly handled. Make sure to treat your type 1 hair with care and baby it, it needs that pampering.
Product buildup
Heavy styling products can weigh your hair down. Your hair is naturally thin so too many products with oil buildup won't be a good idea for your hair.
How to care for your type 1 hair
It's hair care time! I mean, let your hair make the first impression.
- The internet says to wash your hair 2-3 times a week. But what if you have a hairstyle you want to carry for weeks or you don't have the luxury of time?
If you have a hairstyle you aren't ready to remove, go ahead but make sure you do a pre-poo after removing the style. Then remember to study your hair, this is important, washing your hair 2-3 times a week might not work for you, you might just need it once in 2 weeks, just notice changes in your hair.
NOTE: You also have to find a balance when shampooing, don't overwash, washing your hair too much can cause your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum to make up for the lost oil which will get your hair more greasy.
- Clarifying shampoos is a good idea, they help to get rid of excess build-up but shouldn't be used too often. Also, avoid heavy or oily products that will weigh your hair down.
- Be careful when brushing your hair, remember your hair is thin so handle it carefully. If it's tangled, brush the tips first then keep inching upwards towards the root.
- Avoid tight styles, applying too much pressure on your type 1 hair is a huge NO.
In conclusion, as a person rocking type 1 hair you can try side parts hairstyles, it makes it look like your hair has more volume. But make sure not to part your hair at the same place so that part won't get bald.
When you've just permed your hair and you wash it, it looks like a type 1a hair, Yay! But when it gets dry it might be type 1b or 1c. It's probably better to determine your hair type when it's dry.
We have come to the end of figuring out if you belong to the classy type 1 hair type. The next article will be on type 2, stay tuned!
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