The top of our heads is a topic of discussion whether we have hair or not. Hair comes in a plethora of textures. Some have curly, wavy, silky, thick, kinky, and coarse hair. To know your hair texture you look at the curl pattern. 

According to shazandkiks.com,  “The best way to figure out where you are on the spectrum is to check out your hair after you wash it and let it air dry. If it dries straight without a bend or curls then you’re Type A. If it dries with a slight curve or S-shape patterns then you’re Type B. If it dries coily in a Z shape pattern then you’re Type C.”       

One of the biggest problems for people who have type 4b/4c hair is the aspect of how to make sure it doesn’t get damaged. This type of hair texture is mixed between coily and kinky and is very coarse and the curls are tightly packed. It’s more difficult to detangle, and style. The real question is how to nourish and style type 4b/4c hair without damaging it. 

         For those who may be new to the idea of styling and taking care of your hair the proper way, UACHS Sophomore, Haddy Saine has some insight into hair care.  

        “Haircare is important because if we don’t take care of our hair, it will get matted and disgusting and when this happens who is gonna take care of my hair?” Saine said. “When I think about haircare I think about beauty, self-care and love, by taking care of my hair I show myself that my hair is empowering and need the love that others might not give it.”  

             People seem to neglect people who have 4b/4c hair. Most judge people for having thicker, coarser hair which leads to problems. This is why most people with this hair texture damage their hair because of this that happened in the past. Most people flat iron their hair too much to the point that their hair gets heat damaged.  

       “I remember when I was younger I used to want to have straight silky hair to the point that I had to cut all my hair because of heat damage,” Saine said, “I did this because I would constantly get judged for my hair; it came to the point where I wanted to have hair like a white woman. I forgot how to take care of my hair. Part of the reason is that my hair texture is not represented enough in the media.”    

 Haircare is an essential part of many people’s day. After being patient and experimenting with what’s good for your hair, you can expect to see growth, strength, moisture and shine. Most importantly, using these steps can help you understand how to nourish it and keep it fully healthy.

      If confused about how to care for your 4b/4c hair down below are some basic care steps suited for you:

• Oil and detangle your hair   

Your hair is wonderful so nourish it. When detangling your hair you must section your hair. You will part your hair into six sections and use a wide-toothed comb to take away the knots. Don’t forget to start at the ends and work your way up to the roots. When you are finished detangling use coconut oil, olive oil, and hair growth oil and massage them into your hair. Make sure to warm the oil.

• Make a Hair mask                                                                                       

There are different hair masks for different needs of the hair. For example, there is an avocado mask that’s made out of shea butter, avocados, aloe vera, and olive oil. The avocado mask is used to moisturize, repair, and strengthen your hair. Once you finish applying the mask you must wear a  shower cap and keep it in your hair for 10-15 minutes.

• You are ready to wash your hair  

Rinse your hair mask out. Then lather the shampoo in your hair in sections and detangle with a brush and wide-toothed comb. Then twist and braid your hair and wash it. Make sure to scrub your scalp to get any dandruff or impurities out of your hair. You should wash your hair every 3-4 weeks and if in braids every 6 weeks.  

• Moisturize your hair  

While your hair is still wet from washing it you should moisturize your hair. Moisturize your hair with coconut oil, vaseline and leave-in conditioner. Twist or braid your hair and wait for your hair to dry. There are a plethora of black-owned brands that work for this hair type. Products like Mielle, castor oil, carols daughter, Camille rose and CURLS.

• Put your hair in your protective style  

A protective style is a way to allow your hair to grow. To protect your hair you can put it in Bantu knots, twist, cornrows, box braids, passion twist and many more. You can blow out your hair and flat iron it.  

• The protective style 

        When you are styling your hair you will need to figure out how you want to style it. If you are doing Bantu knots you will have to oil your hair and the ends and part into small sections all around your head. Then you will coil that section in your fingers until it looks like a tiny bun sealing away your ends, then you will secure it with a black small rubber band. Securing away your ends prevent breakage and split ends and keeps it moisturized. This hairstyle can stay in your hair for 1-2 weeks. If in box braid you will have to section your hair and wrap the braiding weave around your hair to make a knot you braid your hair with the weave when finished you will boil hot water to secure the ends of the braiding hair then apply oil and mousse to your scalp. This hairstyle can stay between one and four months depending on how it’s done. When taking out the weave you will have to wait one day so you don’t lose any hair.