TRICHOLOGIST DIRECTORY
Your type 4b kinky hair is tight, densely packed coils that form a distinct zigzag or
"Z" pattern. This hair type shrinks significantly in length and requires ample
moisture to maintain elasticity, prevent breakage, and enhance curl definition. We
recommend that where possible to buy products specially designed for your hair
type.
Useful topic links: Hair 101 Blog Content and Video content.
ROUTINE
Cleanse
Use a sulfate-free hydrating shampoo to prevent excessive drying and
preserve natural oils. Focus on the scalp and gently cleanse the length of the hair.
Consider incorporating co-washing (washing with conditioner) into your routine to
retain moisture and avoid stripping natural oils.
Use a sulfate-free hydrating shampoo to prevent excessive drying and
preserve natural oils. Focus on the scalp and gently cleanse the length of the hair.
Consider incorporating co-washing (washing with conditioner) into your routine to
retain moisture and avoid stripping natural oils.
Condition
Apply a moisturising conditioner, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends.
Detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb or fingers while the conditioner is still in.
Regularly use a deep conditioner or hair mask to provide intense hydration. Focus
on the ends and use a plastic cap or apply heat to enhance product absorption.
Use a wide-tooth comb, your fingers or detangling brush to gently detangle hair
when wet and coated with conditioner. Start at the ends and work your way up to
the roots to prevent breakage.
Moisturise
Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to damp hair, ensuring even distribution.
Use the praying hands or finger-coiling method to define curls and minimise frizz.
Seal in moisture with a natural oil or butter. Type 4 hair tends to be very dry and
prone to breakage. It’s important to moisturize your hair regularly using a waterbased
moisturizer, leave-in conditioner, or hair oil. You can also use the LOC
(Liquid, Oil, Cream) method to seal in moisture.
Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to damp hair, ensuring even distribution.
Use the praying hands or finger-coiling method to define curls and minimise frizz.
Seal in moisture with a natural oil or butter. Type 4 hair tends to be very dry and
prone to breakage. It’s important to moisturize your hair regularly using a waterbased
moisturizer, leave-in conditioner, or hair oil. You can also use the LOC
(Liquid, Oil, Cream) method to seal in moisture.
Look for products containing,
• Humectants like glycerin and aloe vera, which hydrates, softens, moisturises,
and promotes healthy hair growth.
• Coconut oil, known for its moisturising properties, to nourish and add shine to
type.
• Shea butter, which provides intense moisture and helps with manageability,
softness, and reducing frizz.
• Olive oil, known for its moisturising and nourishing properties, to add shine and
protects.
• Jojoba oil known for its ability to moisturise and mimic the natural oils
produced by the scalp, in order to nourish and protect type 4C hair.
• Humectants like glycerin and aloe vera, which hydrates, softens, moisturises,
and promotes healthy hair growth.
• Coconut oil, known for its moisturising properties, to nourish and add shine to
type.
• Shea butter, which provides intense moisture and helps with manageability,
softness, and reducing frizz.
• Olive oil, known for its moisturising and nourishing properties, to add shine and
protects.
• Jojoba oil known for its ability to moisturise and mimic the natural oils
produced by the scalp, in order to nourish and protect type 4C hair.
Style
Protective Styles: wear protective styles like braids, twists, or updos to minimise
manipulation and protect the ends from damage. Use a satin or silk scarf or bonnet
to protect your hair at night.
Protective Styles: wear protective styles like braids, twists, or updos to minimise
manipulation and protect the ends from damage. Use a satin or silk scarf or bonnet
to protect your hair at night.
Avoid heat styling: Type 4 hair can easily become damaged from heat styling
tools like flat irons and curling irons. Instead, try to embrace your natural texture
and use heat-free styling techniques like twist-outs, braid-outs, bantu knots or a
form of flexi rods.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Type 4 hair is delicate and can be easily damaged by
harsh chemicals like relaxers and hair dyes. If you must use chemicals on your
hair, be sure to use a mild formula and follow the instructions carefully.
Incorporate protein treatments to strengthen your hair and reduce breakage.
Trim your hair every 3-4 months to get rid of split ends and promote healthy hair
growth.
tools like flat irons and curling irons. Instead, try to embrace your natural texture
and use heat-free styling techniques like twist-outs, braid-outs, bantu knots or a
form of flexi rods.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Type 4 hair is delicate and can be easily damaged by
harsh chemicals like relaxers and hair dyes. If you must use chemicals on your
hair, be sure to use a mild formula and follow the instructions carefully.
Incorporate protein treatments to strengthen your hair and reduce breakage.
Trim your hair every 3-4 months to get rid of split ends and promote healthy hair
growth.
Maintenance
Type 4 hair is fragile. Be patient with it and handle it gently. Wear your hair
natural in-between protective hairstyles to allow the scalp to breathe and reduce
risk of stress, irritation, and inflammation.
Type 4 hair is fragile. Be patient with it and handle it gently. Wear your hair
natural in-between protective hairstyles to allow the scalp to breathe and reduce
risk of stress, irritation, and inflammation.
BONUS
Read our article on Suitable Saloon treatment for your hair type here.
Observing progress:
Observing progress after a change in your care routine requires some patience, as
hair changes often take time to become noticeable. Here's a step-by-step guide to
help you effectively observe changes in your hair health:
Document Your Starting Point: Before you make any changes to your hair care
routine, take detailed notes and pictures of your hair's current condition. This will
serve as a baseline for comparison later on.
routine, take detailed notes and pictures of your hair's current condition. This will
serve as a baseline for comparison later on.
Make Gradual Changes: When altering your hair care routine, avoid making
multiple changes all at once. Introduce one change at a time, such as switching
to a new shampoo or altering your conditioning routine. This will help you
pinpoint the specific factor that might be affecting your hair.
multiple changes all at once. Introduce one change at a time, such as switching
to a new shampoo or altering your conditioning routine. This will help you
pinpoint the specific factor that might be affecting your hair.
Give It Time: Hair health changes don't happen overnight. Depending on the hair
cycle, it might take a few weeks to a couple of months to see noticeable changes.
Be patient and consistent with your new routine.
Be patient and consistent with your new routine.
Monitor Shedding and Breakage: Keep an eye on the amount of hair you shed
during combing, brushing, and showering. A decrease in excessive shedding and
breakage might indicate improved hair health. Note that if you wear protective
hair style for a long period of time shedding can be more than usual.
during combing, brushing, and showering. A decrease in excessive shedding and
breakage might indicate improved hair health. Note that if you wear protective
hair style for a long period of time shedding can be more than usual.
Texture and Appearance: Pay attention to changes in your hair's texture, shine,
and overall appearance. Look for signs of frizz reduction, improved manageability,
and enhanced shine.
and overall appearance. Look for signs of frizz reduction, improved manageability,
and enhanced shine.
Scalp Health: A healthy scalp is crucial for healthy hair. Observe whether your
scalp becomes less oily, less flaky, or less itchy with the changes you've made.
scalp becomes less oily, less flaky, or less itchy with the changes you've made.
Hair Growth: Check for changes in the rate of hair growth. Measure the length of
your hair or mark a specific spot and observe if it grows faster or looks healthier.
your hair or mark a specific spot and observe if it grows faster or looks healthier.
Volumizing Effect: Some changes in hair care routines can lead to increased
volume and thickness. Take note if your hair feels fuller or more voluminous after
the changes.
volume and thickness. Take note if your hair feels fuller or more voluminous after
the changes.
Ask for Opinions: Sometimes, others can notice changes in your hair that you
might not notice yourself. Ask friends or family members if they notice any
positive changes in your hair's appearance or texture.
might not notice yourself. Ask friends or family members if they notice any
positive changes in your hair's appearance or texture.
Adjust as Needed: If you don't see the desired results after a reasonable amount
of time, consider adjusting your routine further. It's possible that the specific
change you made isn't working for your hair type or needs.
of time, consider adjusting your routine further. It's possible that the specific
change you made isn't working for your hair type or needs.
Review and Compare: After a few weeks or months, compare your current hair
condition with the baseline you documented initially. Assess the changes
objectively based on your observations.
condition with the baseline you documented initially. Assess the changes
objectively based on your observations.
Consult a Professional: If you're concerned about your hair health or not seeing
any positive changes, consider consulting a dermatologist or a professional
hairstylist. They can provide personalized advice based on your hair's needs.
any positive changes, consider consulting a dermatologist or a professional
hairstylist. They can provide personalized advice based on your hair's needs.
Remember, every individual's hair is unique, and what works for one person might
not work for another. Finding the right hair care routine may require some trial
and error. Be open to experimenting while paying close attention to how your hair
responds.
not work for another. Finding the right hair care routine may require some trial
and error. Be open to experimenting while paying close attention to how your hair
responds.