How to Identify Your Hair Types in 7 Easy Steps

Have you ever bought a hair product that worked wonders for your friend but left your hair looking worse than before? The secret might be in your hair type! While 65% of people use products not suited for their specific hair type, knowing your exact hair type can transform your hair care routine. Understanding your hair's unique characteristics isn't just about following trends—it's about giving your locks exactly what they need to look their best every day. In this guide, we'll walk through seven simple steps to help you identify your hair type so you can finally choose the right products and styling techniques that work specifically for you.

Hair Types

Step 1: Start With Clean Hair

Before you can accurately determine your hair type, you need to start with a clean slate:

• Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup
• Don't use conditioner for this test (we want to see your hair's natural behavior)
• Gently pat your hair with a towel—don't rub, as this can affect your curl pattern
• Let your hair air dry completely without using any products

When your hair is completely clean, you'll be able to see its true nature without any products weighing it down or changing how it behaves. Think of this as seeing your hair's "true self" for the first time!

Step 2: Check Your Scalp's Oil Production

How oily or dry your scalp gets is a key part of understanding your hair type:

• Notice how your scalp feels immediately after washing
• Check again after 24 hours
• If your roots look shiny and feel oily within a day, you have an oily scalp
• If your scalp feels comfortable and not tight after washing, you likely have a normal scalp
• If your scalp feels tight or itchy or shows flakes, you probably have a dry scalp

This information will help you choose the right shampoo frequency and products that won't make your scalp too dry or too oily. Remember, your scalp health forms the foundation for healthy hair growth!

Step 3: Determine Your Hair's Thickness

Hair thickness refers to the width of each individual strand:

• Take a single strand of hair between your fingers
• If you can barely feel it, you have fine hair
• If you can feel it between your fingers, you have medium hair
• If it feels thick or coarse, like a thread, you have thick hair

You can also try the "visibility test": Place a single hair on a plain surface. If it's hard to see, your hair is fine; if it's clearly visible, your hair is thick; if it's somewhere in between, you have medium hair.

Step 4: Assess Your Hair Density

Hair density refers to how many strands you have on your head:

• Look at your scalp in the mirror
• If you can easily see your scalp without moving your hair, you have low-density hair
• If you can see your scalp with a little effort, you have medium-density hair
• If it's difficult to see your scalp at all, you have high-density hair

Another quick test: Gather your hair into a ponytail. Measure the circumference. Less than 2 inches is low density, 2-3 inches is medium density, and more than 3 inches is high density.

Step 5: Identify Your Hair's Porosity

Porosity is how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture.

The Float Test:

• Place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water
• If it floats, you have low-porosity hair (moisture has trouble getting in)
• If it sinks slowly, you have normal porosity
• If it sinks immediately, you have high-porosity hair (absorbs moisture quickly but loses it easily)

The Spray Test:

• Spray a section of dry hair with water
• If water beads up on your hair, you have low porosity
• If water absorbs quickly, you have high porosity

Understanding your hair's porosity will help you choose products that can either penetrate resistant strands or lock in moisture for porous hair.

Step 6: Observe Your Hair's Natural Pattern

The most commonly recognized hair typing system divides hair into four main categories:

• Type 1: Straight Hair
  • 1A: Fine and straight
  • 1B: Medium and straight
  • 1C: Thick and straight
• Type 2: Wavy Hair
  • 2A: Fine waves that form an "S" pattern
  • 2B: Waves that are more defined
  • 2C: Thick, defined waves that are close to curly
• Type 3: Curly Hair
  • 3A: Loose curls with a clear "S" pattern
  • 3B: Springy curls that range from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrews
  • 3C: Tight curls that are densely packed together
• Type 4: Coily/Kinky Hair
  • 4A: Tightly coiled hair that has a visible "S" pattern
  • 4B: Hair that bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z"
  • 4C: Very tight coils that may not be clearly defined

To determine your type, let your hair dry completely without using any products or styling. Then, observe how it naturally falls and compare it to the descriptions above.

Step 7: Test Your Hair's Elasticity

Elasticity shows how well your hair can stretch and return to its normal state:

• Take a wet strand of hair
• Gently stretch it
• If it returns to its original length without breaking, you have good elasticity
• If it breaks easily or doesn't return to its original shape, you have poor elasticity

Good elasticity means your hair is healthy and can withstand styling. Poor elasticity suggests your hair might need protein treatments or deep conditioning.

Putting It All Together

Now that you've completed all seven steps, you can create your unique hair profile. For example:

• "I have fine, medium-density, high-porosity, 2B wavy hair with an oily scalp and good elasticity."
• "I have thick, high-density, low-porosity, 4C coily hair with a dry scalp and average elasticity."

This detailed profile will guide you in choosing the right:

• Shampoo and conditioner for your scalp and porosity
• Styling products that work for your pattern and thickness
• Tools that won't damage your specific hair type
• Treatments that address your elasticity needs

Remember that many people have different hair types in different areas of their heads. For example, you might have 3A curls at the crown but 2C waves underneath. That's completely normal!

How to Care for Your Hair Type

For Type 1 (Straight) Hair:

• Use lightweight products that won't weigh down your strands
• Focus on shine-enhancing treatments
• Be careful of over-conditioning, which can make fine straight hair look limp

For Type 2 (Wavy) Hair:

• Use products specifically designed for waves
• Apply styling products to damp hair and scrunch upward
• Consider using a diffuser when blow-drying to enhance your natural wave pattern

For Type 3 (Curly) Hair:

• Moisture is your best friend
• Use sulfate-free shampoos or co-wash (conditioner washing)
• Apply products using the "praying hands" method, then scrunch
• Consider sleeping with a satin pillowcase or bonnet to reduce frizz

For Type 4 (Coily) Hair:

• Deep conditioning regularly
• Use plenty of moisturizing products
• Consider protective styling to prevent breakage
• Detangle gently with lots of slip from conditioners or oils

Conclusion

Understanding your hair type isn't just about categorizing yourself—it's about learning to work with what you naturally have. By following these seven easy steps, you've gained valuable information about your hair's unique needs. Now, you can shop for products with confidence, knowing exactly what will make your hair look its best.

Remember that your hair type can change throughout your life due to hormones, medication, pregnancy, or aging. It's good to reassess your hair type every few years or when you notice significant changes.

The most beautiful hair isn't a specific type—it's healthy hair that's properly cared for according to its needs. Embrace your natural hair type and give it what it needs to shine!

Ready to start your hair type journey? Try these tests today and share what you discover in the comments below!

FAQs

Can my hair type change over time? Yes! Hormonal changes, medication, pregnancy, aging, and even moving to a different climate can affect your hair type. Major life events like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause commonly trigger changes in hair texture and density.

I have different hair types on different parts of my head. Is that normal? Absolutely! Many people have multiple hair types. For example, you might have curlier hair at the crown and straighter hair at the nape of your neck. Treat each section according to its specific needs.

How often should I wash my hair based on my hair type? It varies widely:

• Oily, fine, straight hair (Type 1) might need daily or every-other-day washing
• Wavy hair (Type 2) typically does well with 2-3 washes per week
• Curly hair (Type 3) often works best with 1-2 washes per week
• Coily hair (Type 4) usually requires the least frequent washing, sometimes just once a week or less

Do I need different products for different seasons? Yes! Most hair types need lighter products in the summer and more moisturizing options in the winter. Humidity levels can dramatically affect how your hair behaves, so seasonal adjustments are helpful.

Can I change my natural hair type permanently? While chemical treatments like perms, relaxers, or keratin treatments can alter your hair texture temporarily (lasting weeks to months), your natural hair type will always grow back from the roots. It's usually healthier to work with your natural type rather than against it.

My hair doesn't seem to fit perfectly into any type. What should I do? The typing system is just a guideline! Many people fall between categories or have a combination of hair. Focus less on the exact category and more on how your hair responds to different products and techniques.

How can I tell if my hair needs protein or moisture? Try the "stretch test": When wet, gently pull a strand of hair. If it stretches a lot before breaking, you need protein. If it breaks immediately with little stretch, you need moisture. Balanced hair will stretch slightly and then return to its original state.