In case you have curly hair and also you’ve heard of the hair typing system, there’s an opportunity that at the very least sooner or later you’ve been barely confused about what your personal curl sample is. Ladies with 3A hair, come nearer…

Meet The Specialists

Janelle Sands, a curl specialist, Candace Witherspoon, a curl specialist, hairstylist and proprietor of Candace Witherspoon Salon.

Defined merely, there are 4 hair sorts: straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Kind 2 hair is normally wavier than straight, kind 1 hair. Kind 4 hair is of a kinkier texture, and proper in the midst of the curly spectrum lies kind 3 hair, which normally consists of unfastened to tight curls. 3A hair particularly is a reasonably frequent curl kind, although it’s not all the time straightforward to establish due to its similarity to different curl patterns within the kind 3 class.

If you happen to’re curious to know in the event you fall beneath the 3A class, we spoke with two curly hair specialists to seek out out precisely what separates these curls from all the opposite sorts. Plus, particulars on how you can preserve them for total wholesome, outlined hair.

What does 3A hair seem like?

If you happen to’ve checked out an internet curl kind chart, you’ll have seen that 3A curls are a bit looser than 3B or 3C hair. “Falling in between wavy and coily hair, kind 3 curly hair could be characterised by the definitive ‘s’ sample of the curl, moderately than a ‘z’ sample sometimes seen throughout the kind 4 vary,” says curl specialist Janelle Sands.

3A hair may additionally seem dry regardless of merchandise with the ability to take up into the hair simply. “The scalp sebaceous glands have fairly the route of curves to journey from root to tip, so dryness is a continuous concern for kind 3A hair,” she provides.

Sebaceous glands are present in your hair, they usually secrete sebum, the oil that stops your hair from getting dry, per the Cleveland Clinic.

How does 3A hair differ from different curl sorts?

As beforehand talked about, kind 4 hair tends to have a z-like form moderately than an “s.” Moreover, kind 2 curls are looser than 3A and might finest be described as waves.

If you probably have kind 3 hair however aren’t certain which letter you finest align with, you possibly can spot the distinction by way of sure options. “Understanding that within the hierarchy of curls, this hair kind follows the strongest wavy hair kind, the 3A curl has the least quantity of quantity of the kind 3 curly hair sorts,” says Sands.

What’s one of the simplest ways to take care of 3A hair?

Not all hair has the identical wants. Listed here are just a few do’s and don’ts from curl specialist and stylist Candace Witherspoon:

Do

• Diffuse and air-dry hair when styling
• Use water-based merchandise
• Shield hair earlier than mattress utilizing a silk scarf or pillowcase
• Use protein remedies as soon as a month

Don’t

• Put on tight or moist ponytails too usually
• Use chemical smoothing merchandise
• Use too many oil-based merchandise
• Blowdry your curls—this will injury and/or dry them out

Witherspoon recommends washing curls as soon as per week and refreshing them each three days. “A light-weight conditioner and sulfate-free shampoo are extremely advisable for 3A and all different curl textures. You need most of your merchandise to be water-based,” she says.

Then, so as to add moisture, apply a cream, mousse, or light-hold gel that can maintain your curls hydrated all through the week. If you happen to want further quantity, diffuse your curls for about 20 minutes earlier than letting them air dry.

If you happen to like utilizing oils, attempt utilizing them sparingly to keep away from weighing down your hair. “Curly hair tends to shrink back from oils with the overall worry that it might weigh the hair down, however oil can also be a protectant,” explains Sands. “Select a lightweight oil mix to use to the information of your hair to coat and ward in opposition to injury and breakage.”

How can I preserve my curls after styling?

After spending tons of time washing and styling your hair, the very last thing you need is to lose your look the following day. However hey, it occurs!

Fortunately, there are just a few methods to maintain your hair protected earlier than it’s time for a refresh. “After making use of product to set your curls, don’t contact the hair,” says Sands. “Let the hair totally dry earlier than choosing up the roots or fluffing your type.”

And when the day involves an finish, attempt placing your hair up and sleeping on a satin pillowcase. “I like to recommend sporting a bonnet with curls tucked in or a pineapple with a satin scarf,” says Witherspoon “There isn’t a flawed method, simply what’s finest on your curls.”

This text was initially printed on Health Recommendation.