Unlike type 2A hair, which exhibits soft yet defined coils, type 4c has tightly coiling patterns that form dense afro styles – it is the tightest pattern within the curly hair typing system. 4c curls are dry, so regular moisturization with liquid, oil, and cream (the LOC method) will keep strands hydrated and preserve elasticity.
Detangling:
Detangling can be harsh on curls without care and using appropriate techniques or tools. Rough detangling may lead to breakage, knots, and even some hair loss; to ensure maximum effectiveness, it’s always best to indirectly detangle dry or wet hair. When it comes time to detangle, grab yourself a high-quality conditioner (we love this one) and divide your locks into sections (4 or more, depending on personal preference). Add coconut or olive oil as a barrier against tangles while providing slip for dry detangling. Begin at the ends of each section and gently detangle, starting from its ends to work up through it, slowly detangling each strand. Detangling can be simpler than you think but takes patience and time. Once all sections have been detangled, loosely twist and pin them up so they don’t re-tangle again and allow your moisturizer to penetrate more evenly throughout your locks. Tip: A silk pillowcase may be more gentle on curls, so try switching out a cotton pillowcase for one made from silk instead!
Moisturize:
When moisturizing curly hair, water alone won’t do; your regimen requires ingredients that will retain and add extra hydration and softness. Thankfully, natural products can keep your strands looking beautiful while staying hydrated and soft. hair masks provide an additional dose of conditioner, providing extra hydration and moisture retention that keeps curls happy and healthy. Look for one formulated with Japanese sake extract, argan oil, or jojoba ester oils, as these ingredients will add the necessary extra hydration for smooth strands. Assuring your 4c coils get the care they deserve requires frequent washes with a shampoo tailored for curly hair formulated without sulfates and deep conditioning your locks after every wash and in between wash days with thick, profoundly moisturizing conditioner that helps untangle stubborn 4c kinks.
Protective Styles:
Natural curlers often struggle with how to protect their locks from damage. Styling curly locks too frequently can result in breakage, so protective styles such as braids, wigs, faux locs, and twists are great solutions to keep strands safe. Flat twists are an excellent protective style option as they require minimal manipulation to style them, and they’re easy to take down for moisture or low-maintenance wash day maintenance. Remember, the key to creating healthy; stunning curls is with some old-fashioned TLC! A daily conditioning regimen, deep conditioning with the LOC method, using quality moisturizer, and protecting overnight can all make a significant difference between beautiful coils and dry strands – so why wait any longer – get those beautiful coils popping!
Healthy Scalp:
Your curls originate on your scalp, so you must show it the attention it requires. This is particularly relevant if you wear a fade or sport a bald head. A healthy scalp should be free from flakiness and itchiness. Regularly inspect the skin of your scalp (or check your comb after you wash your hair) for any areas of irritation, and make seasonal modifications to your natural hair routine that account for environmental changes. Exfoliation is an excellent way to maintain healthy locks by ridding yourself of dead skin cells and product build-up on your scalp. Select products containing oil-free humectants such as glycerin, allantoin, or hyaluronic acid to increase moisture retention in your strands and promote circulation – critical elements in creating lush locks! Also, give yourself regular scalp massages to promote circulation; traditional massages have proven very helpful in maintaining healthier locks!
