Hair texture refers to the thickness or diameter of the individual hair strand. Your hair can either be described as thin, medium or coarse (thick).
How To Determine Your Hair Texture: The Thread Test
Take a strand from you freshly washed hair and stick it next to a piece of unraveled sewing thread on top of a white piece of paper.
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If your hair strand is thinner than the piece of thread, then you have fine hair.
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If your hair is the same size as the piece of thread, then you have medium/normal hair.
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If your hair is thicker than the piece of thread, then you have coarse (thick) hair.
Fine hair
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Hair structure- Consists of two layers, cortex and cuticle.
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Fine hair is the most fragile texture and can therefore be damaged easily.
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Hair often becomes oily and over moisturised and can therefore appear limp and lacking volume.
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People with fine hair will often find it nearly impossible to hold a style
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Easiest to chemically process
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Its important to note that having Fine hair does not mean you have less hair. in most cases, people with fine hair have more hair than those with thicker hair strands.
So what does this mean?
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Avoid humectants and emollients
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Pre-poo using coconut oil as one of the benefits of coconut oil is a reduction of protein loss
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Use light moisturisers as fine hair is easily weighed down by heavy products
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Since fine hair is prone to breakage, try avoid over manipulation of hair. Finger detangling as opposed to combing your hair could be a better option. Rest your hair in-between braids and protective styles
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Do protein treatments every two weeks and deep condition every week.
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Try using light butter like mango butter and coffee butter, as well as light oil like sweet almond butter and grapeseed oils.
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Using milk based products as well light leave in conditioners if you find creams too heavy.
Medium Hair
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Hair structure normally consists of two layers- Cortex and cuticle
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This is the most common hair type
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Not as fragile as Fine Hair and not prone to breakage.
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Can be manipulated with relative ease.
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Easier to style and can hold styles fairly well.
So what does this mean?
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Try to use protein rich deep treatments scarcely
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Deep condition and do Hot Oil treatments regularly
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You hair shaft isn't weighed down easily so you can layer products as well as use heavy butters and carrier oils, but in moderation
Coarse Hair
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Hair structure consists of three layers- Cortex, cuticle and the medulla (series of empty spaces)
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Takes a long time to dry
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Can be difficult to chemical relaxers, hair colouring and lighters to penetrate.
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Can tolerate higher amounts of heat.
-
Hair normally contains a lot of protein and can therefore feel dry and straw-like.
So what does this mean?
-
Use emollients and humectants
-
Try use the LOC or LCO method in order to adequately moisturise your hair and seal in the moisture.
-
Moisturise every 2-3 days, even if it's just adding a leave in conditioner.
-
Use thick butters and creams but remember to moisturise
-
Even though your hair can take a lot of manipulation, it is not completely resistant to damage and breakage, so use heat and other chemical treatments in moderation.
How To Determine Your Hair Texture: The Thread Test
Take a strand from you freshly washed hair and stick it next to a piece of unraveled sewing thread on top of a white piece of paper.
If your hair strand is thinner than the piece of thread, then you have fine hair.
If your hair is the same size as the piece of thread, then you have medium/normal hair.
If your hair is thicker than the piece of thread, then you have coarse (thick) hair.
Fine hair
Hair structure- Consists of two layers, cortex and cuticle.
Fine hair is the most fragile texture and can therefore be damaged easily.
Hair often becomes oily and over moisturised and can therefore appear limp and lacking volume.
People with fine hair will often find it nearly impossible to hold a style
Easiest to chemically process
Its important to note that having Fine hair does not mean you have less hair. in most cases, people with fine hair have more hair than those with thicker hair strands.
So what does this mean?
Avoid humectants and emollients
Pre-poo using coconut oil as one of the benefits of coconut oil is a reduction of protein loss
Use light moisturisers as fine hair is easily weighed down by heavy products
Since fine hair is prone to breakage, try avoid over manipulation of hair. Finger detangling as opposed to combing your hair could be a better option. Rest your hair in-between braids and protective styles
Do protein treatments every two weeks and deep condition every week.
Try using light butter like mango butter and coffee butter, as well as light oil like sweet almond butter and grapeseed oils.
Using milk based products as well light leave in conditioners if you find creams too heavy.
Medium Hair
Hair structure normally consists of two layers- Cortex and cuticle
This is the most common hair type
Not as fragile as Fine Hair and not prone to breakage.
Can be manipulated with relative ease.
Easier to style and can hold styles fairly well.
So what does this mean?
Try to use protein rich deep treatments scarcely
Deep condition and do Hot Oil treatments regularly
You hair shaft isn't weighed down easily so you can layer products as well as use heavy butters and carrier oils, but in moderation
Coarse Hair
Hair structure consists of three layers- Cortex, cuticle and the medulla (series of empty spaces)
Takes a long time to dry
Can be difficult to chemical relaxers, hair colouring and lighters to penetrate.
Can tolerate higher amounts of heat.
Hair normally contains a lot of protein and can therefore feel dry and straw-like.
So what does this mean?
Use emollients and humectants
Try use the LOC or LCO method in order to adequately moisturise your hair and seal in the moisture.
Moisturise every 2-3 days, even if it's just adding a leave in conditioner.
Use thick butters and creams but remember to moisturise
Even though your hair can take a lot of manipulation, it is not completely resistant to damage and breakage, so use heat and other chemical treatments in moderation.
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