Hi, there!
Are you looking for advice on what type of hair you have?
Or what kind of hair care should you apply to your hair type?
You’ve come to the right place!
I get what you’re saying!!
Everyone wants their hair to be in the best possible condition, don’t they?
To be honest, that’s exactly what I want; to have beautiful and healthy hair!!
Right?
If you don’t know how to get started, don’t worry; it’s perfectly OK!
I am here to explain!!
Well, first and foremost, allow me to inform you what is haircare!!!
Haircare is a confidence booster!
One of the most important factors in our appearance is our hair.
Our hair not only contributes to our physical looks but also our self-esteem.
Taking care of your hair should be one of the most crucial aspects of your daily regimen.
Keeping your hair healthy and well-groomed may be a nuisance if you don’t use the appropriate products and follow a routine that works for you.
But it’s all part of the process of pursuing a hair you love.
Let's start by learning about hair type and structure...
I know it might be daunting with so many treatments and brands available on the market to treat your hair.
Hey! I should know since I am a slave to my hair!!
I have curly hair (type 3c), and it was not easy to take care of my hair in the past.
I would often go to the salon and get it styled, but it would never look right when I got home.
So, I set out to learn all I could about my hair type and how to properly care for it!
Oh! It was a learning process!
But now that I know how to take care of my hair type, it looks great all the time!
Since my hair is an essential element of my image and self-confidence, I make an effort.
So, if you are curious about how to take care of your hair, read on and find out how to best care for your particular hair type.
Read on…
What is hair care?
Haircare is the practice of taking care of one’s hair.
Proper hair care includes shampooing, conditioning, hair treatments, and styling with non-damaging or non-harmful products.
After you learn and understand this process, you will create a hair care routine just for your hair type.
Everyone has different hair care needs, but some general tips can help you take care of your hair.
First, you should learn about the structure of your hair, then figure out your hair type.
Hair can be categorized into four different types: straight, wavy, curly, and kinky.
You will also learn if your hair pH balance is healthy according to your hair type.
All this knowledge is for you to start using the right products and techniques to take care of it.
What is the hair's structure?
The hair shaft and the follicle are both components of the hair strand.
The follicle is the opening on the skin’s surface, from which hair sprouts, and then there’s the medulla, cortex, and cuticle, which are three layers that make up a hair shaft.
- The medulla is the hair’s deepest layer. It’s a hair support structure that only develops in coarse or thick hair.
- The cortex is a structure between the hair cuticle and the medulla that controls the hair’s color, texture, and strength. In this hair layer, small keratin strands run parallel to one another.
- The cuticle it’s made up of five to seven layers of the non-pigmented epidermis; it’s known as the protective outer layer and serves to shield the hair shaft’s inside.
Hair pH balance
The pH of your hair is critical because it can affect how your hair looks, feels, and behaves.
When your hair’s pH is balanced, it will look and feel its best. If your pH is unbalanced, your hair may be dry, oily, or frizzy.
So, here is a little introduction to pH balancing.
I recall learning about pH balancing in chemistry, probably in my tenth or eleventh-grade year.
My daughter, who is currently in the eleventh grade, certified that she was indeed in the eleventh grade when she learned about pH balance.
Any way!!
An acid-alkalinity balance is referred to as a “pH” balance. There are 14 points on the pH scale, from zero to 14.
Between 6.5 and 7.5 (acidic) is the ideal pH range for your body’s acid-base balance (alkaline).
Maintaining the proper pH balance is critical because failure to do so can result in diseases.
Now, the pH balance of your hair and scalp is between 3.5 and 5.5, while your hair naturally has a pH of 4.5-5.5.
It is best to maintain pH balance in your hair to fight hair fungi that cause breakage, frizziness, and dandruff.
Meaning, that if you have an imbalance pH, you will have a frizzy, itchy scalp, dandruff, breakage, and dry or too greasy hair.
More about pH balance and how to achieve you can check out a post by Dr. Axe
What is your hair type?
Type one? Type two? Type three? Type four?
As if you didn’t already know!!
Here’s what I’ll tell you there are four hair types:
To figure out the natural shape or patterns of your strands, you must determine hair type; see below:
- Type 1 is straight hair
- Type 2 is wavy hair (2a,2b, 2c)
- Type 3 is curly hair (3a, 3b, 3c)
- Type 4 is coily hair (4a,4b,4c)
Hair types
- Type 1 straight hair
(1a) Thin, delicate, and flat by nature. In this hair type, there is no volume, and it tends to be very oily hair.
(1b) Hair with a medium density; although it resembles type 1a hair, this kind has a bit more volume.
(1c) Straight hair, with a few bends, is still considered a straight type of hair.
- Type 2 wavy hair
(2a) Thin, beach wavy, and fine hair.
(2b) Thicker and defined curls than type 2a hair. The waves will be much more evident.
(2c) Frizzy and bouncy. There’s a more distinction between wavy and curly. The waves in this hair to becoming curls are more prominent.
- Type 3 curly hair
(3a) Large curls that are visible but not overly pronounced.
(3b) Curls here are slightly tighter, frizzy, and dry, but the S-pattern is still loose.
(3c) Tight corkscrew curls; this hair type is also dry.
- Type 4 coily/kinky hair
(4a) Coarse hair with springy well-defined curls.
(4b) Hair curls more firmly coiled.
(4c) Very defined Z-shaped kinky coily curls.
How do I care for my hair type?
You can care for your hair type with a few simple steps.
As a first step…
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair.
And when I say “chemical,” I refer to a hair straightener, gel, moose, heat from blow dryers, hair iron, and even washing your hair with the incorrect product.
The product you use in your hair should be researched well because it will contact your hair and because it will contact your skin.
If you’re still unsure, I’ve written a blog post entry about the topic What is skincare?
Learn basically about anything that can alter your hair’s natural pigmentation.
The second step is to use a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner.
You can also use a pH-balancing hair treatment twice a month or once a week, depending on if too greasy or dry.
You see!
You must consider various elements to get the appearance and feel you want in your hair.
Was I able to shed some light and assist you in determining your hair type, at the very least, by providing you with some basic information?
I hope so!!!
These suggestions can assist you in maintaining the health and vibrancy of your hair.
We hope you found this post to be informative!
This is done to embrace your natural hair by selecting appropriate products and caring for your hair type.
You’re an essential part of my journey, and you being here means a lot to me.
So, please do not be afraid to share your thoughts and subscribe if you want more from self-care.
