All types of hair, whether they're straight, wavey, curly, or coily, have their own beauty, perks, and challenges. Taking care of your hair then becomes different according to your hair type; from washing to drying to the type of products that you need to use, it all depends on the type of hair you have.
4C hair is not an exception to this rule; it has certain characteristics that make it especially different from most of the other types when it comes to taking care of it. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about how to take care of your 4C hair and make it longer!
Types Of Hair
Before we dive into how to take care of 4C hair, let's first double-check and make sure what your hair type is. According to a study done in 2020, hair consists of two structures: the shaft, also known as the hair strand, and the other structure, the hair follicle. Another study found that the shape of the shape of the hair follicles determines the shape of the hair strand; for example, the hair follicles of curly hair are found to be in the shape of an S. What determines the shape of the follicle are your genes. Let's start by getting to know what hair types are and what characterizes each!
Type 1 hair
Type 1 hair is straight. That's the main feature of it; it's divided according to its shape into:
1a: which is very straight and has a thin texture.
1b: straight but has some bends.
1c: which is straight but has a coarse texture.
Type 2 hair
Type 2 hair is wavey; according to its shape, we have:
2a is wavey and fine.
2b has a slightly more defined S shape.
2c has a well-defined S shape.
Type 3 hair
Type 3 hair is curly, and its shapes are characterized by the following:
3a: The types of 3a curls are loose curls.
3b: curls are tight and springy.
3c: a well-defined S shape that springs back to its shape when it's stretched.
Type 4 hair
Type 4 hair is coiley, and here in this category we find the shape that we are concerned about today, which is 4c hair. Type 4 hair, like all the types above, is divided according to its shape into three divisions, which are:
4a: Coils have a loose form.
4b: Coils have a zigzagging shape.
4c: The coils are tight.
4C Hair
4C hair is the ultimate afro hair; it characterizes African and African American hair; it's very thick, and that thickness and density are part of its beauty. The strands have the tightest form. It tends to clump at the ends, and it can shrink to 75% of its size! Can you believe that?! The hair grows horizontally and doesn't fall down unless it's very long. It's also referred to as black, coarse, or kinky hair. We can say that the challenge that faces those with 4C-type hair is that their hair tends to be inherently more fragile than any other hair type. They are also more prone to dryness, which in turn makes them more prone to breakage. But don't worry! With the right routine, you can overcome those obstacles with ease.
How Do I Take Care Of 4C Hair And Grow It Longer?
Like we mentioned above, if you take care of your 4C hair in a certain way, you can easily overcome the problems that are there inherently, and in return, you get to enjoy healthy and luscious hair.
1. Moisturize
Rule number one when it comes to taking care of 4C hair is to moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize once again. Because of the dryness that 4C hair suffers from, moisturizing daily becomes of utmost importance; it is a determining factor in the health of your hair. Here are some things you can implement in your moisturizing routine:
A. DIY leave-in moisturizer
For me personally, this one is a favorite. Herbal teas, in particular, are great when it comes to moisturizing sprays. Some people tend to just spray plain water on their hair every day, but I don't encourage this method. Using water alone will strip your hair of its oil, and it will soon go back to its dry state once the water evaporates. Herbal teas, on the other hand, are great not only for moisturizing, but they also provide your 4C hair and your scalp with a lot of nourishing ingredients. Let's go through some popular herbal teas that are used in the 4C hair moisturizer routine:
Clove spray: clove contains a lot of ingredients that are useful for your hair. It contains eugenol and flavonoids, both of which have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help avoid damage and improve blood circulation to the scalp. Clove spray can be prepared by measuring a teaspoon of clove and adding it to already boiling water. Leave the clove in the water for a couple of hours, and then your spray is ready to use!
Roselle Hibiscus Spray: is another natural tea with a lot of benefits. Roselle Hibiscus isa famous flower in certain areas of Africa. In Sudan, people drink it as a warm tea, and they also make a very delicious juice from it. It contains amino acids and other bioactive compounds that nourish your scalp and enhance blood circulation to your scalp. Prepare roselle tea by either poiling the petals with water or adding them to boiling water and leaving them in the water for a few hours.
Cinnamon spray: we all use cinnamon for desserts, and some of us use it in our skincare routines, but did you know that you can also use it for your 4C hair? Cinnamon spray contains cinnamon dehyde; this compound works by increasing circulation and blood flow to the hair follicles, which supports hair growth. The effect of cinnamon on growing hair is supported by studies, though more research is needed to support this. To prepare cinnamon spray, grind a couple of cinnamon sticks and boil them in water for 10 minutes. Leave it for some time, then apply it to your hair.
Whatever tea you choose to make, keep it in the fridge and renew it every five days to avoid bacterial growth. Beside their moisturizing effect and their benefits, those herbal teas have a nice aromatic smell that will make you feel refreshed!
B. Use a moisturizing cream
Apply a cream that's rich in hydrating ingredients like glycerol. The base of the cream should be water. Apply it at least once a day.
C. Use the LOC method
LOC stands for leave-in, oil, and cream. In this method, you apply the leave-in conditioner, whether it's homemade or bought. After you apply the leave-in, you follow it with the moisturizing cream. Apply it first at the ends of the strands until you reach the roots. The last step is that you either apply oil or butter as the final layer.
The oil allows the hair to retain the moisture from the cream and the leave-in for a longer duration.
2. Master Your Protein.
The next step in making your 4C hair stronger and more nourished is to apply a protein mask. Protein strengthens your hair strand, which makes it less prone to breakage and helps it grow. You can apply the protein mask every month or every two weeks. Here are some homemade protein masks that you can easily make:
Egg and coconut oil: whisk an egg with coconut oil and apply the mix to your hair. Leave it for an hour, then wash it with warm water if possible.
Yoghurt and honey: while yoghurt gives you the protein your hair needs to become stronger, honey moisturizes your hair and acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to your hair.
Mayonnaise and honey: same as the previous mix, only you can use the mayonnaise as a source of protein instead.
3. By All Means, Avoid Hair Relaxers
If you have 4C hair, you might be tempted to use hair relaxers; maybe you have already used them in your life. I have to admit that relaxers do make life simpler, for they provide an easy way to handle your hair. However, you must remember that this temporary benefit comes with long-term damage to your hair. Recovery from using relaxers might take years; I'm not even kidding! 4C hair is already inherently fragile; applying a relaxer makes that a lot worse.
4. Use a Protective Hairstyle
Some hairstyles are known for promoting hair growth; this is due to the fact that when you have your hair in a protective style, you are keeping it away from things that can weaken it, like combs and brushes. Protective hairstyles are also great for retaining moisture; this way, they reduce breakage and promote growth.
We hope that this guide has been helpful to you and that it has given you some good ideas about how to handle your 4C hair, how to take care of it, and how to keep it healthy and nourished.
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