5 Surprising Facts About Your Curl Pattern | Hairstyles Edit
You might be curious why everyone in the curly hair community talks so much about hair type and curl pattern. Why is it such a big deal that we even wrote this blog? Let us explain. Knowing your hair type and curl pattern helps you choose the right hair care products. When you understand your hair better, you can care for it better. Healthy hair and scalp lead to beautiful hairstyles.
So, what makes hair type different from curl pattern? And how can you tell what curl type you have? There are four main hair types. Type 1 is straight hair. Type 2 is wavy hair. Type 3 is curly hair. Type 4 is coily hair. Besides how your hair looks, other things help identify your hair type. These include hair porosity, hair structure, hair texture, and how much moisture your scalp has.
Even though the differences between curl types seem obvious, many people still get confused. Here are 5 reasons why understanding your curl pattern can be so frustrating.
The controversy between dry and wet hair
Our hair changes a lot when it is wet. Water makes hair heavier, so it looks straighter and less curly. As the hair dries, it slowly returns to its natural curl shape. To find out your true hair type, let your hair dry completely first. This helps you see your real curl pattern clearly.
Stop brushing your curls
To see your natural curl pattern, let your hair dry without brushing it. Brushing wet hair can change how your curls look. Also, avoid styling your hair when checking your curl type. This helps you see your true, natural curls.
Get unplugged
As we said before, avoid styling your hair when checking your curl type. Using heat or styling tools can change your hair’s natural texture. Heat changes the hydrogen bonds in your hair, which temporarily changes your curl pattern. Blow drying can also dry out your hair by removing moisture, which affects how your curls look naturally.
Get a grip
We understand that every girl loves to style her hair. But take a moment and slow down! How can you find your true curl type if you keep changing hairstyles? Let your hair rest and grow naturally for a few months before visiting the salon. The new growth will reveal your real hair type and natural curl pattern. Once you know your curl type, you can visit the salon and style your hair however you like!
Make the switch
When moving from salon-treated hair to your natural hair, it can be hard to tell your curl type. The best way is to let your hair grow out for several months or even a year. This allows your natural hair to replace the salon-treated parts. During this time, you also give your hair and scalp a break, helping them heal and become healthier. So, you learn your hair type and improve hair health at the same time!
Understanding your curl type helps you care for your hair better. When you know your hair type and curl pattern, you can pick the right care product compatible with your hair type. For example, hair care products made for 3C curls may not work well on 4A curls, even if they look alike. Knowing your curl type also makes it easier to find hairstyles that suit your hair.