Do you know your hair type?
You answer confidently when they ask you, but… Do you really know your hair type? Do you know its characteristics and how to treat it? If not, keep reading. Below, is everything you need to know about your specific hair type.
Normal hair
This hair type is balanced and easy to manage, which luckily makes treating it pretty straightforward:
Characteristic
- Becomes greasy only to avoid drying out
- Is shiny and silky
- Doesn’t become greasy easily
- It has no dry ends
How to care for it?
- Use a moderate amount of shampoo
- Don’t wash it with very hot water
- Apply a gentle conditioner through the lengths to the ends
- Never sleep with wet hair
Oily hair
Your scalp secretes more oil than normal, which can make your hair appear wet. Here are the characteristics and recommended treatments for this hair type:
Characteristics
- Opaque
- Excess oil at the roots
- Becomes dirty easily
How to care for it?
- Use a lightweight shampoo
- Avoid hair products that are too creamy or oily
- Use astringent masks, such as those with citrus fruits or clay
- Wash your hair in the morning, as the sebaceous glands are most active at night
- Use warm or cold water. Hot water stimulates, even more, oil production
- Use dry shampoo between washes to reduce the appearance of greasy hair
Dry hair
The lack of natural moisture causes the hair to become frizzy and break easily. Below are the characteristics and recommended treatments for this hair type:
Characteristics
- Lack of elasticity and shine
- Sensitive to chlorine, salt water and dyes
- Difficult to untangle
How to care for it?
- Use a gentle, hydrating shampoo designed especially for dry hair
- Wash your hair every 4 or 5 days
- Use conditioner every time you wash your hair and leave it for a few minutes to soak in before rinsing out
- Use hair products with sun protection, especially during extended periods of time in the sun
- Avoid straighteners, electric curlers and blow dryers
- Cut your hair regularly to remove split ends
Mixed condition
Hair is usually greasy at the roots and dry at the ends, mainly due to chemicals from dyeing or coloring the hair. Below you can find the characteristics and recommended treatments for this hair type:
Characteristics
- Lacks volume
- Brittle, dry ends
- Greasy roots
How to care for it?
- Use hair products for combination hair types in moderate amounts
- Wash your hair in lukewarm water, never hot water
- Only use conditioner on the ends
Other hair types
The above was a general classification, however, there are other hair types with specific characteristics that require specific treatments:
Straight hair
Straight hair is smooth and without frizz, can be cut in almost all styles and is manageable. If you have straight hair, keep reading to find out more about how best to care for it:
Characteristics
- Doesn’t tangle easily
- Not frizzy
- Any imperfections are easily noticeable.
- Limp, doesn’t hold a curl
How to care for it?
- Trim the ends approximately every 2 to 3 months
- Wash your hair every other day
- Brush your hair when wet with a fine-tooth comb
Wavy hair
Has a lot of movement, but a softer wave than curly hair. This is hair type has both length and body. See below to find out more about how best to care for it:
Characteristics
- Slightly greasy
- Not as dry as curly hair types
- Tangles easily
How to care for it?
- Wash it often, every 2 or 3 days, and avoid oil build up at the roots
- Use gentle and lightweight hair products (shampoo, conditioner, styling cream, etc.)
- Put your hair in braid before going to bed, that will accentuate the natural waves in your hair.
Curly hair
Waves are shorter and don’t retain moisture that easily. This is a hair type that requires a bit more care, but is easily managed with suitable treatment.
Characteristics
- Usually gets dry and frizzy
- Brittle
- Tangles easily
- Humidity is its worst enemy
How to care for it?
- Moisture is key, use hydrating hair products
- When you wash your hair, squeeze out any excess water and gently pat it dry with a towel. Do not rub it, friction can cause brittle hair
- Gently brush or comb your hair after it dries
- Brush your hair in small sections, starting from the ends, which will make it easier to untangle any difficult knots
- If you dry it with a blow dryer use a diffuser. This will reduce frizz and add some volume to your roots
Kinky hair
Curls are tight and start at the root. Certain hairstyles or braids can be used as an easy way to manage it. With the proper moisture, you can pull off some amazing hair styles with this hair type:
Characteristics
- Fine and porous
- Prone to shrinkage
- Coarse
How to care for it?
- Regularly use products that are rich in oils and moisturizing ingredients
- Prior to washing the hair, soak it in oil (coconut, olive or castor)
- Wash your hair in sections to prevent it from getting tangled and knotted
- Use your fingers to untangle your hair and take your time, then brush it using a wide tooth comb
Now you know your hair type and how to properly care for it, we invite you to discover the perfect mask for your hair type.
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