You might have seen the letters "4c" thrown around when people are talking about hair, but what does it mean?

4c hair is a type of curl pattern that is characterized by tight, coily coils. It is often denser than other types of curly hair and can range in texture from fine and thin to thick and coarse. Because of its compact shape, 4c hair can be more difficult to style than other types of curly hair.

However, with the right products and techniques, you can achieve any look you want! Keep reading to learn more about 4c hair.

The Science of 4c Hair

To understand why 4c hair behaves the way it does, we need to take a quick detour into the science of hair. Our hair is made up of three parts: the cortex, medulla, and cuticle.

The cortex is the innermost layer and it's responsible for giving our hair its strength and elasticity.

The medulla is the middle layer and it helps to keep our hair looking full and voluminous.

The cuticle is the outermost layer and it protects our hair from damage.

Now, let's talk about the structure of our hair follicles. Hair follicles are tiny tubes that extend from the surface of our skin down into the dermis. Each individual strand of hair grows out of its own follicle. The shape of our follicles affects the type of curl pattern we have.

People with 4c hair have oval-shaped follicles. This U-shape allows the strands to wrap tightly around each other, resulting in a coil-like curl pattern.

One thing that makes 4c hair unique is that it often has a high density. This means that there are a lot of strands growing out of each follicle. While this might seem like a good thing, it can actually make styling 4c hair more difficult because there's less space for each strand to "breathe."

As a result, products tend to sit on top of the hair rather than being absorbed by it. This can lead to buildup and leave your strands feeling weighed down.

4c Hair Care Tips

Now that we know a little bit about what makes 4c hair tick, let's talk about how to take care of it!

One important thing to keep in mind is that every head of 4c hair is different. What works for your friend might not work for you, so it's important to experiment until you find what works best for your strands.

With that said, here are a few general tips for caring for 4chair:

• Use moistening products: Because 4c strands are so tightly coiled, they can often appear dry even if they're well-moisturized. To combat this, look for products that contain ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera which can help add moisture to your strands without weighing them down.
• Pre-poo: Pre-shampooing (or pre-pooing) helps to protect your strands from stripping shampoos by adding an extra layer of moisture before you even step into the shower. To pre-poo, simply massage your favorite conditioner into your dry scalp and strands about 30 minutes before shampooing as usual.
• Finger detangle: Detangling with a wide-tooth comb can be tough on delicate 4c strands (not to mention your scalp!). A better option is to use your fingers or a Denman brush to carefully detangle your wet strands in small sections while they're still coated in conditioner or oil. Just be sure to take your time and be gentle!

4c hair is a beautiful but sometimes challenging type of curl pattern characterized by tight coils. By understanding a little bit about the science behind 4c curls and following some simple care tips, you can achieve any look you want!

Not sure where to start on your journey to healthy 4c hair? Look no further! We have gathered a list of the best shampoos and conditioners, tailored specifically for 4c hair.