Does Your Hair Type REALLY Matter?

[@jaz1elise]

Knowing my curl pattern helped a little bit, but the three things that really helped me was my porosity, my strand thickness (width), and my density.

[@legadema37]

I don't find hair typing important either. According to typing I have fine type 4 a,b, & small loose almost 3C patches.I've known for DECADES that I have these 3, maybe 4 textures, but back in the 70s when I wore a huge afro, there was no such thing as hair typing. We all used StaSofFro, S Curl, Afro Sheen, & various types of grease in various amounts on our hair. Whatever worked. I've also always known I have fine hair but didn't know it also tends toward high porosity. Some things for type 4 don't work on my hair so I just get samples if I can find them & use what works. Right now,in winter, I'm on an Old School regimen that includes S Curl with extra glycerine added, PinkOil lite mixed with JBCO & Blue Magic to seal. Keeps my hair well moisturized for days.

[@krystaljones6415]

I totally agree that hair type is not the number 1 factor in determining what products to use. I myself have found trial and error to be the best method to determine what products work for me. A little tip that helps me save money on this natural hair journey is to buy the smallest sized package you can find. Even opt for a sample if available. That way if your not satisfied there is no sweat on a couple of dollars. But if you buy the biggest bottle and it is a no go, your just stuck with a bunch of product you probably will never use.

[@michelleh9403]

THANKS! I am soooooo confused. I have three different hair types in my hair (straight, curly, coily/kinky) and I don't know what or where to go, how to start. I am just oiling my hair with natural oils, co-washing, leave in conditioning and keeping it in a relaxed style (natural box braids) and no heat drying...until I can figure out what to do next. This is very hard. Thanks for the post. I'll be following and listening.

[@toiroberts9765]

Hair typing for me was important when I first started. It gave me a base reference when listening or reading up on the different hair textures. After I figured out my 3 different textures, it wasn't so important anymore. But I still refer to it every now and then when talking to a beginner, they seem to be more familiar with the typing, than with their own hair. Once they understand their hair texture, we have more conversations dealing less with typing, and more about technique, or products. It's not a bad thing, just a beginning reference, I still ask people what they think their type is. What bothers me is the ones who get all bent out of shape when asked. If its something your not into then respectfully say so, don't go on a wild tangent about how it puts people in categories, and that's not your texture and blah, blah, blah. PEACE, LOVE, and TYPING

[@okbutlikeidontcare2095]

Absolutely hair typing can be very important! Especially at the beginning of your journey for those who haven't been natural all their life to say otherwise is inconsiderate hair typing helps figure out what hair tools may be too harsh on your strands or ineffective for you what product might weigh your hair down too much or may not give you any hold at all and what styles you may not be able to achieve like you wanted hair typing is soo valid just as much as knowing hair porosity, density, and hair sensitivity to protein I think naturals who have looser textures or naturals who have been doing this natural hair journey for a while should never ever tell a new natural that hair typing doesn't matter bc frankly it could really help you understand your hair more (knowing every little detail and category your hair falls into is totally fine like honestly the more you know about your hair the easier it becomes) to say otherwise is ridiculous

[@TheTerrian74]

okbutlikeidontcare thank you for saying that. I've been natural for a year and I'm still having problems and I don't know what my hair type is yet!!

[@Dcjc25]

I think curl pattern is important when you're determining what a hair style will look like. When I try out a new hairstyle, I look at other naturals who have similar curl pattern so I'll have an idea of the end result.

[@Cantetinza17]

It helped a little. I really just had to do trial and error because products that people raved about didn't work on my hair and then there was other stuff that shouldn't be for my hair type that worked great. Typing my hair taught me that what my hair should look like in it's natural state, so I know who to follow and the realization of what my hair will do.

[@shawnetteamarie]

It only helped me in the beginning while looking @ products, and trust it was a hit or miss. Sadly, not even knowing why it was a hit or miss. Learning my texture, density, porosity & how to apply products was the awesome game changer for me.

[@dhatchick22196]

I have completely disregarded the curl type system. Having 3b/3c in between hair it was weird when picking products because most are heavy. I started experimenting and a liquid leave in and cAntus coconut curling creme are all I use to style my hair no eco styler nothing like that.

[@drahaman]

Three years into this natural hair thing I figured out that hair type is not important. I'm still not sure of my curl pattern, but porosity, thickness/density has been the most revealing of what my hair needs and the results I get. If only I knew that early on in my journey.

[@alanamcgill7466]

I don't think it matters, because even within the "types" there will be a lot of variety based on each person (as you mentioned: porosity, fine, coarse,and damage, color treated, etc, etc) that changes the way you care for your hair. So what other reason would you need to know your hair type, other than to choose products is the real question???

[@ayannazelalla4897]

I use to stress trying to figure out my hair type because when I first wore it natural one lady said I had a lot of heat damage(even though I flat iron my hair twice a year and been perm/relaxer free for 5 years). Now I just don't care. Whatever moisturizes and defines my curls is all that matters.

[@ruchamarubinger7496]

Knowing my curl pattern helps, but I find that some products which indicate they are for coily hair work good on mine and those for wavy hair do next to nothing. So I try just about everything - and it they work - I'm happy.

[@koren3232]

Nah, hair types are just their.My sister said that types 4s can't do good wash and GOs knowing myself I did what I I wanted to do with my hair.I did my wash and go and was just fine and I was moisturized.

[@theblackraconteur]

I literally only thinking about my hair type when I style it

[@LInk-gh2us]

How do I avoid single strand knots?

[@lovemycurls8739]

trim the hair a few times a year, balance your deep conditioners out...(moisture/protein)limit heat, and chemical styling. The less manipulation the better!

[@dorygoncalves6533]

I've been natural for 2 years and I still not sure about my hair type :(