Hair Care for Different Types of Type 3 Hair

What’s crazy about human hair is that it has so many different textures, sizes, types, and shapes.

Featured Image of Different Types of Type 3 Hair

At first glance, it may look just hair to you but every product you use, every style you do, and every care you take to your hair all should be according to your hair type. Knowing about the texture, pattern, and type of your hair is important when it comes to caring for and styling your hair in the best way.

However, in this article, we are going to discuss specifically type 3 hair and its classifications. If your hair type is “type 3”, this article is a must-read article. Without further ado let’s begin our reading.

Before talking about the types of “type 3” hair, you need to know first whether your hair is “type 3” type or not. Whatever products you wish to use or whatever style you wish to have, it is necessary to know about your hair type first. There are lots of factors depending on your hair type which can help to maintain good hair health and keep you satisfied with the right hairstyle you wish.

If you use a hair product without knowing your hair type much or opt to style your hair which is not meant to be the hair type you have, can be a real disaster or frustration. So, knowing about your hair type correctly is a must before going to use any hair products, tools, or styling.

However, the hair type can be determined by a number of characteristics according to the thickness of your hair and its curl pattern. You can have one specific hair type or a mixture. Besides, your hair type can be changed and evolves as time goes by.

You can identify your hair type by paying attention to your hair follicles.

So, what’s the real trick?

It’s easy. If your hair follicles look like an oval form, it is most likely wavy or curly. And if you see the follicles are around mostly, then you can say your hair is straight.

However, many women have a mixture of hair types of coily, wavy, and curly. The best time to distinguish the curl texture and pattern is when the hair is wet. Typically, if your curls look like the letter “s” when it is wet, then you have type 3 hair. Which is the most common natural hair type or style in Black and African American Women?

Now, let’s get into the details. How do you know what type of “type 3” hair you have?

There are 3 types of type 3 hair – 3A, 3B, and 3C. We have discussed details all about the different types of type 3 here below.

If you see the value in these products and choose to purchase via my referral links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Related Article: Good Straighteners for Curly Hair

Type 3A

Type 3a

Usually type 3 hair is on the dry side. But yet type 3a type hair is silky and shiny. This is the kind of hair when type 2c hair gets a little bit more textures. Usually, type 3a hair has ‘S’ shaped pattern. To be specific this 3a hair is a little tight than the wavy or loosen “S-shaped” hair.

However, this hair is easily affected by humidity and dryness. In 3a type of curls, you can find loosen-up curls or wavy hair here and there. Besides, these curls sometimes lose their definition if pulled down or get wet. You can use some product so that the curls stay intact all day long.

If you are cautious about hair care you need to know that the hair care starts in the shower. As for 3a type of hair, sometimes you will notice that it loses volume. At those times you can use Curl Junkie Gentle Cleansing Shampoo for extra volume.

If you have type 3a hair, never rub it frequently. It can loosen your curls. Instead, take a t-shirt and squeeze the hair in crunching motion for having extra fullness or volume. Then you can use some curling cream to add some moisture in the hair. BTZ Noodle Head Curling Cream is one of the best here.

Mousse is another good product for curly hair. It helps to keep the moisture within the hair. You can try Ogx Quenching Coconut Curls Mousse for your 3a type hair.

Read More: How to Straighten Synthetic Wig

Type 3b

Type 3b

Coarse hair is known as the type of 3b curly hair. This kind of curls is tighter than type 3a hair. The size of this curl is also small. You can compare it with the size of your index finger. As this is a tighter kind of curl, typically it does not loosen up if pulled down. But you will face a lot of trouble having fizziness and dryness as the 3b hair prone to frizz and dryness.

To prevent the dryness, it will be most effective to use Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner on your damp 3a hair. Before applying it, you need to squeeze the excess water from the hair and brush it with a wide comb.

However, curl cream is a good product to use but most of the time people tend to overuse of this product and end up with greasy hair. Instead of curl cream, you can use a tiny bit of Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk.

To lock those two layers of moisturizers you can use Mizani 25 Miracle Nourishing Hair Oil. It is a lightweight oil that can lock the moisture in your hair all day long and prevent dryness.

Check: Best Blow Dryer for Natural 4C Hair

Type 3C

Type 3c

This type of curly hair is the most textured curly hairs. It also has the full shaped curls and the strands are densely packed together so, you have enough volume and fullness in your hair.

However, this type of hair can easily get frizz but this can be eliminated and at least manageable with proper conditioning and moisturizing.

While buying shampoo and conditioner the girls with this hair type must be aware of whether the shampoo is sulfate-free or not. Buy the shampoo and other hair product which is sulfate-free.

Besides, the hair experts recommend avoiding regular shampooing rather perform co-washing and using a moisturizing shampoo like Aveda Be Curly Shampoo and Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner which will keep your hair hydrated.

If you are facing too much fizziness on your 3C curly hair, you can use So Cozy Curl Shampoo Sweet-Crème. It will prevent frizz and breakages.

Also Read: Straight Hair Vs Curly Hair: What’s The Difference?

Conclusion

Type 3 or curly hair is completely different from any other hair type. Even one curly hair type can be different from another curly type. After finding out the exact hair type and having in-depth knowledge about it can give you confidence and help you do the right hair care routine and styles. We have tried to acknowledge you all of that above and hove you have now the confidence and will make the correct choice whenever purchasing a hair product, tools, or making a hairstyle.

Sources

  1. Joy, Rebecca. 2019. “How to Identify and Style Your Hair Type.” Healthline. Healthline Media. August 30, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/types-of-hair.
  2. NaturallyCurly. 2021. “Where Curls Come to Life – NaturallyCurly.com.” Naturallycurly.com. November 7, 2021. https://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types/curly.
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Comments

  1. Wow, wow, wow.

    Before reading this article, I never knew there are different types of Type 3 hair. Every time I read your article, I find something new to learn. That’s the beauty of your blog.

    However, I would like to mention that in the Type 3B section, you mentioned the products of Type 3A hair. Is it a typing mistake or what?

    Nevertheless, I loved how you synchronized the whole writing. It was not clumsy and actually a delight to read.

    I wish you all the best.

    Reply
    • Dear Jackie,

      First of all, thank you for your kind words. We are overwhelmed with your response.

      And secondly, thanks again for pointing out the mistake so politely. It was a typing mistake and we would correct it as soon as possible.

      Please keep supporting us.

      Reply
  2. Hello there,

    I have a question.

    In one part of the article, you have suggested using sulfate-free shampoos. But you haven’t clarified the reasons as to why this type of shampoo is most suitable for Type 3C hair. Can you please explain what the significance of sulfate-free shampoo is on this type of curly tresses? Curious minds want to know.

    Aside from this, I loved the article. I am amazed by how to portrait any topic and make it very interesting to read.

    Great effort. Keep it up.

    Reply
    • Dear Trisha,

      First of all, thank you very much for your praising words. We appreciate our readers’ feedback.

      Secondly, sulfate in the shampoo makes hair super dry and as Type 3C hair is already dry and frizzy, we recommend not using a sulfate shampoo on it to preserve its moisture.

      Reply
      • Thank you for taking the time and writing back to me. And also thanks for explaining the matter with sulfate within a few words. You guys really rock.

        Reply

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