Essay On Hair Typing

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A popular discussion amongst the natural hair community is hair typing. Natural hair, in particular, can be extremely complex as one can have multiple hair textures. Subsequently, determining your hair type can benefit you greatly as you embark on this journey. Knowing your hair type can, not only, help you figure out which products work best with your particular grade of hair, but it can also help you determine which hairstyles will work best with your hair. As the natural hair movement has evolved, so have the hair typing systems. Currently there are three main typing systems, Andre Walker, L.O.I.S, and F.I.A. It's important to note that I don't endorse any particular one. I only seek to provide you with information that will help you make better-informed decisions about the care of your …show more content…

To determine your type, you will need to find your hair size by comparing it to a strand of thread. How the thickness of your hair compares to the thread will determine if it is fine, medium or coarse. Select a single strand of hair and place it on a white piece of paper. You should do this after the hair has been washed and is void of any product to ensure a thorough classification. If you hair is thinner than the thread, than it is fine. If it is the same size, then it is medium, and if is thicker than the thread, then it is coarse.

L Pattern - Hair appears to have an L shape, and bends without any appearance of a curve.

O Pattern - Hair looks like a spiral, exhibiting multiple strands that are rolled up into the shape of an "O" or the number zero.

I Pattern - Hair resembles the shape of an "I" and lies completely flat with no appearance of a bend or curve.

S Pattern - Hair resembles the letter "S" and slopes and dips, like hills and valleys.

* Note is possible to exhibit a combination of all hair patterns on one grade of

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