4B Natural Hair Type

4B Natural Hair Type

As you may know, most black women lie within the type 4 hair range.

And as such, type 4b hair is one of the hair types within this range.

HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR TYPE 4B HAIR

1. Type 4b hair has a Z-shaped curl pattern
2. The curl pattern is semi-visible without the use of gel
3. Hair strands have a “cotton” appearance.
4. Shrinks to 50% of your actual hair length

If you have met most, if not all the criteria above, you have 4b type hair.

Once your type 4b hair is moisturized well, it will retain the moisture well.

 However, if you are experiencing moisture loss, dryness, or breakage, it usually is because your technique is poor.

You must ensure that you are sealing, avoiding heat, and using thick products.

TIPS TO MAINTAIN HEALTH & LENGTH OF 4B CURLS

CLEANSE WITH A CO-WASH/SULPHATE FREE SHAMPOO

Avoid shampoo with sulfates or use a co-wash cleanser on your scalp.They aid in removing product build-up, excess oil, and sebum that are clogging your follicles.

Thus, allowing the scalp to be free, breathe, and produce sebum for the new growth.

Ensure to massage it thoroughly using your fingers, brush, or scalp massager.

This will promote blood circulation to promote healthy hair growth. Also, don’t worry about how the rest of your hair will be cleansed.

Once you rinse out the shampoo/co-wash, it will cleanse the remainder of your hair. 

USE A THICK CONDITIONER

Use a thick conditioner to aid in softening, moisturizing, and detangling your hair.

Ensure to look for the key ingredient which is “Cetearyl Alcohol”.

This is a fatty alcohol chain that penetrates the hair.

It will provide your curls with hydration, keeping the cuticles closed so the hydration doesn’t escape.

As well as, it is the ingredient that “emulsifies” the conditioner to make thick and pliable for the hair.

USE A FORTIFYING DEEP CONDITIONER

Use a deep conditioner made with fortifying organic ingredients.

These include water, butter, oils, fatty alcohols, keratin, and much more. These can penetrate the closed cuticle layer and impart its hydration into it.

In addition, they are rich in minerals and vitamins that will enhance the shine, curl pattern, and thickness of your hair strands. 

USE A LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURIZER

Ensure to use a lightweight or semi-thick moisturizer. This ensures that your hair is getting the right amount of hydration that it needs.

If it is too thick, it will weigh down your curls. As well as, if it is too lightweight, the moisture will not stay locked in your head.

So, ensure that your product has a balanced blend of water, butter, glycerin, aloe vera, and oils.

USE LIGHT OILS

Next is to use lightweight oils. If you use heavy oils, they will weigh down your curls.

As well as, prevent any more moisture from entering your hair strands.

So, avoid oils like castor oil, ayurvedic oils, olive oil, and coconut oil.

The oils that you should be using are almond oil, argan oil, or grapeseed oil.

The oils will keep the moisturized locked in for days. As well as, enhancing the natural sheen of your tresses. 

DO NOT USE HEAT

Do not use heat at all on your hair strands. Your hair strands are made up of protein, specifically keratin.

This is the protective layer of your hair strand that protects it from any harm from chemicals, mechanical, and electrical.

If heat is consistently being applied, the protective barrier will be broken down by the heat.

Thus, making it more susceptible to any form of damage.

SLEEP WITH SATIN

Sleep with satin-lined items only. The satin acts as a barrier and prevents moisture from leaving your hair strands.

So, you will not wake up with your pillow or sheet stained with products or oils.

If you sleep with cotton, it takes the moisture from your hair strands. Thus, leaving it dry so it is more susceptible to any form of breakage.

You could experience breakage, single strand knots, split ends, failed hairstyles and so much more.

DO LOW MANIPULATION HAIRSTYLES

Always do low manipulation natural hairstyles.

Not only do they save you time, but they also save you hair length.

These styles (mentioned below) are easy to do, require little product, and usually last a long time.

This reduces the amount of time that you will spend combing your hair every day to go to work, school, or wherever.

Thus, reducing the amount of time that your hair is being manipulated by your hands or tools.

To reduce breakage, knots, tangles, and improve your length retention.

BEST STYLES FOR 4B HAIR

WASH N GOS

You can still achieve the extremely defined wash and go that 4A hair gals have if you find a “good” gel.

The gel will highlight and keep the curl pattern to the last 4 days or even more. 

TWIST/BRAID OUTS

These are low manipulation hairstyles achieved by braiding or twisting your hair.

It usually gives the hair a more voluminous look with a unique hair pattern.

BUNS

When all fails, just place it into a bun.

Buns are such an easy style to do.

They can be dressed up with your favorite headbands, bobby pins, laid edges, scrunchies, and much more. 

BANTU KNOTS

Lastly, you can do Bantu knots(out).

These are easy to achieve once you do the proper technique and product (check youtube).

They are an eccentric hairstyle that can be dubbed as a protective style (Bantu knots) or low manipulation style (Bantu knot out).

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I hoped the article helped you to identify, take care, and style your 4b hair this summer.

Just like any other hair type 4b needs to be cared for using the right products, tools, and regimens.

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