4A Hair Type: Tips for Taking Care & Styling Your Hair

Table Of Content

• Taking Care of the 4A Hair Type
• Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
• Try a Wash and Go to Let Your Curl Pattern Shine
• What are the genetic factors that influence the texture and curl pattern of 4a hair?
• Editor’s Picks: The Best Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair
• Suave Professionals Sulfate-Free Cleansing Shampoo

In between, co-washing is your best friend, acting like a hydrating hug for your curls, keeping them refreshed without stripping away the natural oils. When it comes to product penetration, think of your hair as a VIP club—only the best hydrators get past the velvet rope. Lastly, don’t forget scalp health; it’s the soil from which your hair garden grows. Without it, you’re left with a frizzy mess, as parched as a tumbleweed. Moisture retention is key; it’s the golden ticket to luscious, envy-inducing curls.

Taking Care of the 4A Hair Type

Type 4A hair is a type of natural hair that is made up of dense, thick coils. These coils are very soft and have the most “S” shape compared to other kinds of type 4 hair. The ringlets are stretchy and easily spiral around a pen or pencil. Type 4A hair can be fine and wiry or thick and more densely packed. If you aren’t sure whether your hair falls into the curly or coily category, the best way to figure it out is by shampooing and conditioning it as usual.

Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner

So versatile—4A hair soaks up all moisture without letting it seep away fast. Drawing upon high humidity for energy, it then shrinks up to 60% when wet—proving ideal for styling into long-lasting updo classics with a fashionable twist. Before shampooing your hair, you may want to detangle it with your fingers.

Try a Wash and Go to Let Your Curl Pattern Shine

I'm not saying it's a bad pick -- if he's a good quarterback it's a great move. But it's perplexing when combined with the Cousins signing and will certainly be a focal point of some controversy for the next few weeks. A slick ponytail is the perfect addition to dress up any outfit whether you’re going for an everyday casual look or a sex night out. Make sure to apply a thick gel that will keep your coils and kinks laid down and allow the pony to take center stage. Using Flexirods is great for 4A naturalistas looking to add a little bounce to their look without applying any heat. Heat-free damage is something we can all get behind and they create an effortless and voluminous style that can be easily manipulated into other styles.

What are the genetic factors that influence the texture and curl pattern of 4a hair?

In winter, amp up hydration with deep conditioners and protect those coils with hats. Choosing the right products for your 4a curls hinges on understanding your hair’s porosity. And when it comes to clarifying shampoos and protein treatments, think of them as the occasional spa day for your hair—necessary, but not too frequent.

Editor’s Picks: The Best Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair

4a hair, a type of coily or kinky-curly hair, is dense and thick, with curls that range in width from the size of a toothpick to a crochet needle. These tight coils make an “S” shape when elongated, making type 4a hair less prone to shrinkage than type 4b or type 4c hair when going from wet to dry. We always recommend that dry, curly hair types should condition (or deep condition) after shampooing. Conditioners replenish the moisture your hair needs to have springy curls, minus the frizz.

Density and Texture

Next, compare your hair’s natural pattern and texture to hair typing charts or descriptions. The LOIS hair typing system categorizes hair based on the shape, size, and texture of a single strand. This system eliminates the need for labeling hair types by numbers. Strands are labeled as L (bendy with minimal or no curvature), O (curled into a zero or multiple spirals), I (flat and straight), or S (wavy with hills and valleys). Type 4 hair is a distinctive type of hair, dividing people around the world into its special category! The natural hair typing system, popularized by hairstylist Andre Walker, has divided us according to our uniquely personal curl patterns, density, and thickness.

Overall, 4A hair tends to be naturally drier, so it is really important to take steps to hydrate the hair. “Products like leave-in conditioners or curl revivers are a good way to get moisture in the hair. Also, not waiting too long in between hair washing,” adds O’Connor. Despite its roots, figuring out where your hair lies on the spectrum is a useful consumer tool. As the industry has evolved, countless products and techniques have emerged, specifically for the type 4A-C hair category—a plus for natural hair.

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It’s the quintessential image of volume, with hair that reaches towards the sky and resists the downward effect of gravity. Their microscopically tight coils are the most resistant of all hair types. The well-defined shape of each coil cannot be altered or interrupted without the use of powerful chemical or heat processing. There are endless benefits to using less heat as part of your hair care routine, including minimal breakage, increased shine, and hair that’s softer in texture. That being said, some 4A hair types may find that their hair thrives when using heat. If you need to use heat on your hair, the best thing you can do is protect your hair beforehand.

Because there are so many possible genetic combinations stemming from mixed-race relationships throughout history, it’s common for a person to have more than one Type 4 curl pattern. If you peruse the Internet for ways to style your naturally curly, coiled hair, you’ve probably run across the term “Type 4 hair”. You may have also heard phrases like 4A hair, 4B hair, and 4C hair. If you can, opt for deep conditioning with a conditioner or masque like SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque once a week if you’re experiencing super dry hair. Great hair goes beyond using shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. Hair that becomes stiff is dried out or hardened from overuse of styling products.

Here are the best ways to avoid damage and keep type 4A hair happy, healthy, and thriving. Because it’s so prone to breakage, brushing and detangling your 4a hair has to be done with care. Detangling hair while it’s wet, conditioned, and segmented into sections helps you work through knots and tangles more gently. Detangling after a wash is just like detangling before one — be patient and gentle with your delicate curls. You can either use your fingers or a tool designed for kinky hair, like a wide-toothed comb or paddle brush.

Slip on a printed silk scarf (like the leopard one pictured here) and let your hydrated hair do all the talking. Sitting under a hooded dryer is a smart way to dry your evenly hair without any unwanted flyaways. And when you do use hot tools, always start with a good heat protectant. Don't crank your blow dryer or flatiron up to the highest setting.

Delilah Orpi is the founder of The Holistic Enchilada, a blog about curly hair and conscious beauty. She followed the Curly Girl Method to bring back her curls and is passionate about using more ethical products. Delilah is a trained Curly Hair Consultant and has been featured in Curl magazine, GLAMOUR, and Yahoo. She writes to create awareness about the clean beauty movement and simple curly hair care. Compared to 4B and 4C hair types, type 4A hair has the softest, silkiest texture.

When your hair is wet, use a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt (not a regular terry cloth towel) to carefully squeeze out all the water in your hair. Embrace this guide as your compass, guiding you to radiant, healthy curls. Porosity testing, like the float or slip ‘n slide test, reveals how your hair interacts with moisture. High porosity hair gulps it down due to gaps in the cuticle, while low porosity hair lets it sit on the surface, playing hard to get. Ashley Pena brings over 13 years of seasoned writing and editing expertise, fortified by her Bachelor of Science in Management. Esteemed in the beauty domain, her content captivates readers with its depth and authenticity.

Climate swings from dry, brittle winters to humid, frizz-inducing summers can throw 4a hair for a loop. So, while you’re flaunting those natural spirals, remember, they’re as unique as you are—requiring a bit of TLC to stay vibrant and resilient. Your go-to spot for the latest in beauty, lifestyle, and all things fabulous. You’re going to love this daily hair moisturizer to keep dry and frizz away from your hair. This can also take care of frizzy hair even in unfriendly weather.