Curly hair has lots of volume and is visually striking. The bouncy curls are attractive to many, but seldom do the people who have curly hair have success taming the beast. Not all curly hair is created equal, either. Some types are more prone to shrinkage while other types start to frizz easily. If you want to manage curly hair, especially type 3C hair, it’s integral to get a better understanding of it.
What Is Type 3C Hair?
Hair types fall into four categories: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each of those types has three sub-categories: A, B, and C. Type 3 hair is curly hair, with type 3C hair being the tightest curl pattern in the type 3 category. Hair resembles the end of a corkscrew and can be as long as a pencil or straw. It’s very dense and is prone to shrinkage, which means that hair length gets lost in the curl pattern. Type 3C hair follicles are also oval in shape, which gives the hair its natural shape.
Type 3 hair also has large volume that begins from the roots and continues to the tips. All of those curls and volume can be difficult to manage, especially since type 3C hair prevents natural oils from evenly distributing on the scalp and hair. This is because it creates a barrier and lacking sufficient oils on the scalp increases dryness and frizz, two other characteristics of type 3C hair. To avoid lifeless, dull-looking hair, it’s integral to take steps to care for it.
Caring And Styling 3C Hair
Soft to the touch and prone to frizziness and breakage, type 3C hair can be difficult to care for. Additionally, one hair care routine may not be applicable to all 3Cs. That said, it’s important to know the different techniques that bring the most life to your hair and scalp. The general care tips for 3C hair are detailed below.
Moisturize A Lot
The reason that 3C experiences frizz, shrinkage, and dryness is due to lack of moisture. In order to moisturize properly, make sure to shampoo and condition your hair with sulfate-free products. Sulfates, especially those in shampoos, will easily dry out the hair and scalp. Additionally, co-washing is highly beneficial. A co-wash differs from a traditional condition because it’s designed to remove surface build-up while conditioning at the same time. You can also deep condition to add the most moisture to your hair. This helps you maintain optimal curls that don’t look dry or frizzy. Lastly, a leave-in conditioner can help you tame the mane as well, reducing the risk of knots and keeping hair smooth and shiny.
Determine Porosity
No matter what type of hair you have, be it curly, straight, or wavy, it’s beneficial to know what your hair porosity is. When you determine the porosity, you’ll spend less time figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Porosity refers to how easily your hair retains moisture, and knowing what it is can help you gauge what to use on your hair. High porosity hair struggles to retain moisture. Medium porosity hair doesn’t struggle as much because hair cuticles are regularly aligned. Low porosity hair is similar to high porosity hair in that it struggles with moisture because the hair cuticles are tightly aligned.
Be Gentle With Your Hair
Curly hair tends to be more fragile, so don’t rip through your hair with anger. In order to detangle type 3C hair, it’s best to do it when it’s wet because it’s easier to manipulate. Saturate the hair with leave-in condition or detangler to allow for “slip.” Extra product makes it so knots or tangles come out easily. Finger detangling is a great option, but you can also use a wide-toothed comb. To enhance curls, click here for a DIY defining cream.
Heatless Styling Techniques
Natural hair tends to be quite versatile, so you easily switch between bouncy curls, straight hair, or super curly hair. Frequently heating your hair, however, can put your curls in danger. Using relaxers or flat irons can permanently alter curl pattern and hair integrity. Once your hair is damaged, it’s beyond repair, meaning you have to cut it. Prioritize heatless styling methods using flexible rods or banding, for example. Type 3C hair tends to yield consistent results when you allow it to air dry, especially if shrinkage isn’t an issue.
Lastly, don’t forego regular trims because you are worried about length loss. Skipping trims can negatively affect hair growth, so make sure you trim the ends ever few months. Split ends cause hair to split up the shaft. Although this is a slow process, it can cause breakage and slower growth over time.
