Hair Typing and Classification
I don’t agree with hair typing. People focus too much on it when there is no such thing as a true hair type only a generalized guide to hair typing. Our hair is made up of many different textures and can’t really be put into a basic category of what the hair types are or what they should be based on the norm. To put it simply natural hair is not normal or basic and that’s what makes it so special. It’s multiple textures,lengths,and grades are what makes every single one of us uniquely beautiful. But for those who want to know what hair typing is all about I’ll explain…
While going through hair forums, websites and videos you may encounter people putting up pictures of themselves and asking what hair type they have. “Am I 4a or 3c?” This is called curl classifying. There are a couple “curl classifying systems”. But the commonly used is the Andre Walker system. The type is identified with a number prefix 1-4 (Straight, wavy, curly, Kinky) and a letter suffix a-c (varying degree of curls within the type)
Knowing your hair type is not to segregate but can help understand and customize how to care for your hair better and what product types your need.
Since this site is dedicated to help people with curly, coily and kinky hair (type 3 and 4 hair), I’m only writing in-depth about those 2 types. This is the type most black people have. Our hair is severely misunderstood and vilified. But not all black people have time same hair type. Also remember that there is good or bad hair type just healthy and unhealthy hair.
(le sigh)...Hair typing: My statement of belief
I’ve heard that it is a tool to “divide us.”
Only if we make it that way.
Hair behaves differently according to texture, thickness, and curl pattern.
If your curl patter is more similar to Suzy’s than it is to Kim’s, then you’re more likely to benefit from whatever works on Suzy’s hair, rather than copying Kim’s haircare regimen.
That’s all hairtyping is, and that’s all it is for.
Hair typing is not hierarchy (4’s are worth more than 3’s, who are worth more than 2’s…)
Hair typing is not a rivalry (If you ain’t a 4 you ain’t shit! Ride or die 3’s for life!)
Hair typing is not a conspiracy to put us in boxes (2’s must act this way, and 4’s are not allowed to do XYZ)
Hair typing is
Not
That
Serious.
Think about skin care products. Some of us have “oily” skin, some of us have “combination” skin, some of us have “dry” skin.
If I, a sister with dry skin, use a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer that were designed for oily skin, what kind of fool would I be?
And we understand that if your skin is classified as oily, that doesn’t mean your oily skin will behave *exactly like* somebody else’s oily skin. But the “oily” classification gives you a place to start in your search for the skincare regimen that is right for you.
We’ve been accustomed to the oily/combination/dry skin typing system for years, and I haven’t seen any complaints about it being an evil plan from “the man” to divide us and put us in a box.
But start classifying our hair - and it’s a conspira-CEE!!!!! to divide and conquer.
(smh)
No, it’s not.
It’s a system that can be useful in giving us a place to start in our individual searches for the haircare regimens that will work for us. Just like the skin typing system. It’s only drama if we make it that way.
