For example, a person can have thin/fine textured hair and with thick/high density. Looking at the image there are multiple texture and density combinations. Below is a great chart showing the difference between the texture of your hair -vs the density of your hair. Density is measured by low, medium and high. There are subcategories A, B and C under each curl type to better describe each type of curl.ĭensity is best described as how many strands are in a square inch on a person’s scalp. This is where our 4 curl types come from. Your Curl pattern can be straight, wavy, curly (S-shaped), or kinky/tightly coiled (very tight zig-zag shape). Genetics play a huge role in curl pattern. Curl PatternĬurl Pattern is determined by how evenly the two sides of a hair strand grow. Now that you know your hair texture let’s consider Curl Pattern. If you feel a strong strand between your fingers your texture is coarse. If you can feel the hair even slightly, then it's a medium texture.

If the strand feels non- existing, then you have fine hair. Take one strand of hair between your fingers. If you are curious what type of texture you have try this quick test to find your texture: The Pros of having Coarse hair is that it tolerates heat well and is resistant to breakage far better than fine and medium hairs. Being the largest of the three textures, it can take longer to dry than others and can resist chemical treatments.

This texture is larger than the other two textures because it typically contains all three layers – cortex, cuticle and medulla. These strands typically have two layers- a cortex and a cuticle, but sometimes can contain the medulla.Ĭoarse texture refers to how large a strand of hair is. This texture is easy to style and is not as fragile as fine strands. Medium textured hair is the most typical of the three textures and often covers the scalp very well. These strands typically have two hair layers- a cortex and a cuticle. This texture is easily damaged as it is the most fragile of the three. The three types of hair textures are: Fine, Medium & Coarse.įine textured hair usually falls flat to your head and you may find it difficult for these strands to hold styles. Hair texture refers to the thickness and diameter of one single strand of hair. To understand your hair a little better let’s look at these factors that contribute to the hair typing world. Along with hair types, there are several other factors, such as hair texture, curl pattern, density and porosity, which play a huge role in how certain products will work for your hair. There are four main Hair Types with subcategories ranging from A to C for each type. While both sides of this debate have very valid arguments, it appears the Hair Typing chart is here to stay.īefore we get into Hair Typing we must understand that no one head of curls is the same. Some will argue the chart is not helpful and there are far too many factors in charting hair types. While hair typing is very controversial in the natural hair community, it does seem to be a chart that most naturals refer to when choosing products and deciding what will work best for their hair. In essence, this chart was created to help us understand our hair and take better care of it. Andre Walker, the original creator of the hair typing chart, created the original hair typing system to help us better understand our texture, its needs, and why it may or may not respond to certain products. What is Hair Typing? Where did it come from? How Important is Hair Typing? And, Why do we need it? To answer these questions we must start with the history of hair typing.

Curl pattern chart