Type 4: Kinky Hair

According to Andre Walker, if you hair is Type 4 hair, it is kinky or tightly curled.

 

Many people do not realize how very fragile that Type 4 hair can be. 

 

Type 4 hair is fragile because of its cuticle structure.  Unlike other curly hair, Type 4 hair generally has fewer layers of cuticles that help protect that hair from the environment and everyday care routines and tools.

 

Type 4 hair is usually wiry, very tightly coiled and has an appearance of coarseness which is linked to the wiriness of the hair.  In reality, Type 4 hair tends to be very fine and soft to the touch and their tends to be a lot of hair or volume intensity. 

 

Type 4 hair can range from the extremes of fine and thin texture to wiry and coarse texture.  As a rule, this type of curly hair is tightly packed and provides the appearance of thicker hair.  However, it reality, it is fragile hair. 

 

Because of the shape of the hair, it has a hard time achieving maximum shine although it can feel very soft and achieve a low shimmer.

 

Type 4 hair is most prone to breakage of all curly hair types.  This is true when treated with chemicals such as color, relaxers or straighteners.  As a result of the potential damage that can occur with Type 4 hair (even brushing, combing and hot styling can cause damage) Type 4 hair is not known for its ability to grow long unless worn in braids or other hairstyles (dreads) that allow the hair to grow without damage.

Andre Walker divided Type 4 hair into two subcategories which includes:

 

 

Type 4A was defined as tightly coiled hair with a hidden S pattern that could only be viewed when the hair is stretched out.  Type 4A has a more definite and visible curl pattern than Type 4B and can range from loosely curled to springy coils.

 

 

Type 4B was defined as have a Z shape or pattern but has a less well defined curl shape.  Type 4B is considered to have a more wiry texture than 4A and requires the most additional moisture.  4b hair has a tighter wave pattern and kinks of various size.  This type of curl pattern can sometimes have a cotton feel.  Shine is harder to achieve with Type 4B hair although it can have a shimmer or sheen to it.