Determining your hair type involves understanding its texture, density, and porosity. While there are online quizzes and tests, a simple visual inspection is a great starting point.
Identifying Hair Texture
Hair texture refers to the shape and pattern of your hair strands. There are four main categories:
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Straight Hair (Type 1): Hair falls flat from roots to tips with minimal to no curl. [Reference 1, 8, 9]
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Wavy Hair (Type 2): Hair has a slight curve or "S" pattern, falling somewhere between straight and curly. [Reference 2, 8, 9]
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Curly Hair (Type 3): Hair has a defined "S" pattern with tighter curls. [Reference 3, 9]
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Coily Hair (Type 4): Hair has a "Z" pattern with tightly packed coils or kinks. [Reference 4, 9]
To check your texture, wash and air-dry your hair without any styling products. Observe the natural shape and pattern of your strands.
Understanding Density and Porosity (Further Refinement)
While texture is the primary classification, density (how many strands per square inch) and porosity (how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture) further define your hair type. These factors influence product choices and styling techniques. [Reference 5, 6, 7, 10]
- Density: Assess density visually. Is your scalp easily visible? (Low density). Or is your scalp almost completely covered? (High density). Medium density falls somewhere in between.
- Porosity: Assess porosity by performing a strand test. Place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water. If it sinks immediately, your hair has high porosity. If it floats near the surface, you have low porosity. Medium porosity hair will sink slowly.
Utilizing Online Resources
Various online tools, such as quizzes and calculators, can help further refine your understanding. These tools often consider additional factors beyond texture, helping you pinpoint your specific hair profile. [Reference 5, 6, 10, 11]
