4a Hair
Most black women lie within the type 4 hair range. Whether the hair strands are fine, coarse, dense or wiry you can have type 4 hair.
Type 4 a hair is one of the hair types within this range.
You can have only 4a curls or a mixture of 4a and 4b curls or 4a, 4b, and 4c curls.
How To Identify Your Type 4a Hair:
1) Type 4a hair has a S shaped curl pattern.
2) The curl pattern of the hair is visible without the use of gel.
3) The circumference of the curls is close to eye of the crochet needle.
4) 4a hair has a stringy texture/look/feel.
If your hair has met all of these requirement or some then more than likely you have 4a type hair.
Type 4a hair retains moisture well once the proper technique is done.
However, it can still experience dryness and damage because it has fewer layers of cuticle than the other hair types.
Therefore, these curls are prone to heat damage, breakage due to constant manipulation and loss of moisture.
So how do we prevent all of that?
Here a Few Tips To Help You Maintain the Health and Length of Your 4a Curls:
1) Cleanse with a co-wash or sulphate free shampoo. Ensure that the cleansers have essential oils such as tea tree and peppermint which stimulate the scalp as well jojoba which encourages it to produce its natural sebum.
2) Use thicker natural butters such as mango, cupuac and shea butter. These butters ensure that the hair strands are sealed with the moisture from the water or leave in conditioner thus preventing moisture loss.
3) Light protein treatments should be done to help fill in the gaps of the cuticle layer of the hair shaft.
4) Avoid heat at all costs. Heat damage is more prevalent among 4a type hair within this range and it is more distinct on this curl pattern.
The hair shaft isn’t strong enough to withstand the heat if you flat iron your hair multiple times.
Now That We Know How To Identify, and Care for Our 4a Hair – Let’s style!
1) Wash & Gos – Because of the defined curl pattern most naturals with 4a hair wear wash & go. With the rights products, tools and technique you could have a bomb wash and go.
2) Twist/Three-Strand Twist/Braid- outs – These low manipulation styles can be achieved as well with the rights products.
However, the curl pattern will be dependent on how your braid or twist your hair.
3) Bantu knot-out Style – If you want to style your hair differently one week then you can do this style.
There are varying techniques that people use but with the right product combo your curls will come out looking great!
I hoped the article helped you to identify, take care and style your 4a hair this summer.
Just like any other hair type 4a needs to be cared using the right products, tools and regimens.
I wish you all the best in your hair care journey!
You Might Also Like:
4B Natural Hair Care
4c Natural Hair Type
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