Type 4c. 4c hair is the queen of thick, bold afros. From afar, 4c hair looks like a thick fro, but if you look closely, you'll notice very tight, small springs or coils on each strand. Coils are pretty different from curls.
The 4c hair type lies within the broader type 4 hair category of the hair typing system. Type 4 hair is also referred to as Black, kinky, or coarse hair and is characterized by its tight, dense texture and natural lift. The volume that comes with type 4 hair is caused by its unique curl pattern.
4c hair type has the tightest curl pattern of all the curly hair types. Strands are formed in tight, springy, ringlets. 4c hair tends to clump more at the ends and is even more prone to shrinkage than 4b hair. According to CURLS, 4c hair can shrink up to 75% of its length!
4C textures are similar to 4B textures, but the tightly-coiled strands are more fragile and have a very tight zig-zag pattern that is sometimes indiscernible to the eye. This hair type experiences the greatest amount of shrinkage — about 75 percent or more — than the other textures.
At a glance, type 4 hair appears as a mass of tight coils brimming with vitality. This hair type comes with a spongy hair texture that can feel soft and fine or rough and coarse, depending on individual hair thickness.
Fragile - The dryness of the locks can cause it to be very fragile and prone to hair breakage. Frizz - As it is tougher to hydrate type 4 hair, it can suffer from frizzy hair. Opting for frizz controlling products can help to reduce this, and make your wash day last longer.
Type 4C hair is deemed to be the most challenging hair type to maintain because it is naturally dry, has little definition, can be difficult to style and requires daily maintenance. At KinkyCurlyYaki, we love natural curls regardless of the challenge of the hair type.
4c curls are the tightest curl pattern and are densely-packed. Some 4c curls are visibly defined and others aren't. Some 4c curls are coarse and thick and some are fine and thin. But no matter what type of 4c hair you have, there are a few tricks and tips to managing healthy curls.
4C hair is characterized by tight “Z” pattern coils that can be delicate, frizz-prone, and easily tangled and matted.
WET 4C HAIR
The excess water hydrates and pulls down long 4c hair allow its natural pattern to be seen. Water is also the element that begins the process of shrinkage.
But 4C hair looks pretty much the same wet as it does dry. Its extremely low porosity strands don't take in enough water to transform your curls the way other hair types do when wet, so applying products on wet hair won't “lock in the curl” – or the moisture.
Yes, you still need to shampoo regularly to keep your scalp and hair clean- but if you have 4C hair you can lengthen the time between washes to 2, 3, or even 4 weeks.
The only difference is its tightness and non-defined pattern. Coily strands are tightly wound around each other, making the hair susceptible to snap or break without care. It's not surprising that many hair experts deem the 4c hair type as the most fragile in the hair typing system.
Although it's quite unusual, there are also Asians with 4c hair. Likewise, Caucasians can also be born with coily hair. Since Caucasian hair types fall between Asian hair and African hair, it may be possible for some Caucasians to have type 4 hair.
Buildup is one of the main reasons they don't hold, so it's best to start by cleansing with a detoxing shampoo. You want to curl clean hair—wet or damp for wet sets, and completely dry for heat styling. Avoid heavy or very oily products, as they weigh your hair down and take the life out of your curls.
4C hair is known for its tight coils and shrinkage. It makes them prone to dryness and breakage. Deep conditioning keeps 4C hair healthy, moisturized, and strong. However, knowing which is right for you can take time and effort with so many products on the market.
To keep your 4C ends looking and feeling their best, use a high-quality moisturizing product daily. You can also seal them with oil using the LOC or LCO method. The LOC/LCO method is an excellent way to hydrate and moisturize your hair. The letters in the LOC method tell you how to use your hair products.
One astounding feature of 4C hair is that it is prone to high levels of shrinkage. This means that the curls get so tightly coiled that they appear much shorter than they actually are. For instance, the actual length of your hair may be 10 inches, but if you have 4C hair, then it looks only 3 inches long.
Wet styling 4C hair all too often means so-so results, buildup, formless curls, and awkward shrinkage. Instead, wait until your hair is damp to dry, when it's a lot more absorbent and cooperative. Then start your braidout or twistout and avoid it going wrong.
Type 4C hair is formed of fluffy strands lacking a defined curl pattern. The texture of 4C varies widely from person to person, from fine to coarse texture. It experiences so much shrinkage it can make you feel like your hair is growing very slowly or not at all.
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, a general rule of thumb is to comb 4C hair only as needed to remove tangles and style it, usually a few times a week. This frequency allows for the removal of product build-up and the maintenance of a clean, healthy scalp without over-drying or causing damage to your hair.