Is type 4b hair uncommon?

What is your hair type?

  • 3a or looser (type 1 and/or 2)

    Votes: 1 0.2%

  • 3a/b mix

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 3b

    Votes: 2 0.5%

  • 3b/c mix

    Votes: 14 3.4%

  • 3c

    Votes: 12 3.0%

  • 3c/4a mix

    Votes: 65 16.0%

  • 4a

    Votes: 53 13.1%

  • 4a/b mix

    Votes: 135 33.3%

  • 4b

    Votes: 101 24.9%

  • I don't know or Other (please explain)

    Votes: 23 5.7%
  • Total voters
    406
I dont think it is at all, most of the black women i know/see IRL have 4a/b type or 4b type hair. I do think that 4b's tend to believe they are limited in how long their hair can grow IRL and that prevents many people from seeking out the resources to learn to grow long, healthy hair.
 
mwedzi said:
Celina, most people on this board self-identify as 4a/b. There's a poll somewhere around here for "what is your hair type?" You can also see how many people are 4b. If I can find it, I'll bump it.

I don't think it's uncommon, but it does seem a lot less common than I thought. Especially on hair boards. I have some theories about that, but they're unpopular.:look: I think the rate would be higher in the general AA population, not sure about other countries, though my own travels say it would at least be higher in black southern Africa, too.
Click to expand...

I wanna hear them too! :look: I'm sure it's the same theory I have....

BlackMasterPiece said:
Couldn't agree with you more.

YES hair typing is pretty straightforward if you ask me, obviously there are some with combo's but overall 4a is the smallest curl diameter that can more accurately be described as coils and 4b's have no definite curl pattern and form a z shape.....I'm sorry but it REALLY irks me when I see people claim 4a/b and they have curls visible from a foot away or further.......some genuine 4b newbie is gonna look to you and theink they can just lay their hair down with some gel and have waves and its just not going down like that. Please claim your actual type!

:wave: I wanna hear the theories!! I wanna hear it! It's probably the same thing I feel about it.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm always thinking, but never say "out loud" hear to remain PC. :look:
 
It is because of threads like these I am so frightened to attempt to hair type myself. I just think there is so much diversity within our hair that the systems that are used now could not possibly run the gamut like we would need them to.
Just using myself as an example, and I know my hair isn't anything special or out of the ordinary, I read often that 4b hair is z patterned. I have that in the front half of my head but it is also the loosest hair on my head. That hair never had much shrinkage with or without product, maintains it's crinkly z pattern wet or dry, product or no product. It hangs down naturally as opposed to growing out first and is nowhere near cottony textured nor could it ever form an afro. It also becomes oily easily whereas my coils can absorb moisture. I don't think it could be typed as 4b but even here on this board I always read z pattern or cnapp = 4b.
 
DesiRae said:
I disagree with these statements.

I claim 4b. My strands are not zig zag. They have a really tight curl. I was under the impression the difference between 4a and 4b is whether the curls clump together or not. Mine do not. I am relaxed now but was natural long enough to get to know my texture.

I also could lay my hair down in the front with gel and a scarf and get waves, little waves, but waves none the less.

So am I 4b or am I not claiming my actual type because i'm mistaken?

My shrunken hair: There are curls there, not zig zags.

Camerapictures022-vi.jpg


Twistout puff with laid down waves:

Camerapictures372-vi.jpg
Click to expand...

I personally wouldn't call it 4a, but really really, who cares......... your hair is beautiful and healthy. I think the "4" category would need to be broader, but now I feel like the way we sometimes do with skin tones "you're not light, you're brown skinned", "you're not hispanic, your grandma's black" etc. It's a catch-22 coz if you said 3c other 3c's would chime in and say "I'm a 3c my hair doesn't look like that, you're a 4a".

I needed to "type" my 4b hair because I grew up thinking I had "bad" hair that would never grow. So if I saw someone mixed with long hair I thought "of-course, why not?" but nooooowwww that I see type 4's with long hair I say, "okay I can do it too".
 
Kurlee said:
regardless of it in it's naked state, you have defined curls that are small, therefore 4a.
I think i'm starting to "get" why there is a misconception.
Click to expand...

But aren't you supposed to type your hair in it's "naked state" and if that is Desirae's hair dry with no product then she is definitely a 4b to me.

In order see her curls it looks like you would have to get right up on her. Even in the first pic of her hair the camera is very close to her head and the shot of her puff she looked 4b.

I am definitely 4b and I can get waves if I wet my hair and put a scarf on it and let it dry. The waves disappear once I comb my hair though. But, the fact that she can get waves doesn't disqualify her from being a 4b hair type.
 
As if we need another one, Mizani has just released their new curl typing system. It's kinda hard to see, but you can check it out on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3093098&id=24196562610

MIZANI, the professional authority in multi-textured hair revolutionizes the hair care industry revealing a textured hair classification system for stylists. The NATURAL CURL KEY describes eight distinct curl types / patterns ranging every where from Type I -Straight/Minimal Wave to Type VIII - Zig Zag Coiled and every hair type and texture in between.

The key was developed with the support of world-renowned scientists in the U.S. and France. This innovative guide to global hair types is based on specific shape criteria and utilizes a scientific approach to measuring features of hair strands. This includes the curve diameter, curl index, number of twists and number of waves. MIZANI’s Marketing & Educational Team consulted with Author & Celebrity Stylist, Diane Da Costa to provide professional stylists with a reference guide that allows them the ability to identify hair types and textures for all clients. The guide allows stylist to determine each clients key characteristics of their hair and special needs whether it’s to moisturize, strengthen, smooth, texturize or relax and then recommend any customized regimens for treatment and haircare.

“Mizani’s approach to education is unsurpassed in the multi-ethnic category by constantly offering advancements like this diagnostic tool to equip the professional with excellence,” says Maria Cerminara, Vice President of Marketing, Mizani USA. “The Mizani Natural Curl Key will enable our stylists to not only properly evaluate and classify their clients hair but also make informed recommendations on the best products and treatments for different hair types.”

The NATURAL CURL KEY is available exclusively to MIZANI Stylists this September 2009. Stylists are now able to offer in-depth consultations to their clients with a reference guide specifically designed for the multi-textured market utilizing MIZANI’s extensive line of relaxing, styling & finishing products for more options and versatility.
 
Oh and let us not forget the folks who still claim natural after they have let a relaxer sit on their hair for a "couple of minutes". It's like they are natural. I have read thinnly veiled posts on this board about that.

In addition to trying to type hair while relaxed ends are still attached. It all makes a big difference.

So the 4a\b spectrum is sloped.
 
I wasn't going to chime in but decided to..lol
It is only 2 years ago that I learned about the hair typing..and like many said it needs to be broaden and what matters is having healthy hair. Whether it is relaxed, natural, texturized, what matter is healthy hair.
I never knew what my hair type is. All I know is that I don't have any curl patterns, sometimes, i see a coily and say hello to it :), my hair shrinks up to 90%, it is very wiry, very dry, very thick and I was always told that I have bad hair...
growing up, most women have relaxers, weaves, wigs..shoot i've never seen my mom with her natural hair..so until now, I still get negative comments about how bad my hair is..it doesn't matter..I love it :)
here are a few pictures:
http://public.fotki.com/redecouvert...oose-hair/going-on-my-third-year/1001455.html

http://public.fotki.com/redecouverte/year-1-3/year-3/locking/month-4/1004007.html

http://public.fotki.com/redecouverte/year-1-3/year-3/locking/month-4/1004072.html
 
Very interesting thread. I personally was confused about hair types... Just ran to look it up and from what I read it fairly simple. No curls...4b. Curls...4a or below. I originally typed my hair as 4b but I definitely have curls they are just tight. But I guess that why i don't really like the hair typing thing because it seems like a classification system which can make some women feel insecure.

Who cares what hair type is what. As long as our hair is healthy then we have reached the goal we strived for in the first place. We come to these boards for long healthy hair not to find out what hair type we have. I see many women with beautiful 4b hair all the time. I just don't think they are on these boards. Hell... I never knew these boards existed until a few weeks ago. I was relying on beauticians to give me healthy hair tips.
 
msa said:
I don't think they're uncommon, just not common on hairboards. Why?
-4b's are most likely to be relaxed so you don't necessarily see them
-in the real world their hair is considered the worst so I think if they are brainwashed by the community then they believe the bad stuff about their hair and aren't likely to be looking for haircare tips in the first place and are more worried about straightening it, styling it, or keeping it hidden.
-hairboards like lhcf are the least supportive of that hair type (despite the lipservice to the contrary) so they are more likely to be on np or just lurk instead of participating.

Just my opinion. I think they are quite common, just marginalized.
Click to expand...

I agree. Imo, even on this board where we are "accepting" of hair types and claim to see the beauty in all, there are a ton of people with 4b hair not going natural. Not because of their "lifestyle", the maintenance, preferring the straight look, DH preference :blah: but simply because they don't think it is acceptable to be seen in it's natural state. Period. I'm not even ragging on them but it is what it is.
 
hair_rehab said:
When I first BCed, I thought that I was a 4b. But 7 months later I'm sure that it's 4 a/b. The curls in the front and at the nape are looser and they become tighter and tangle a little more in the crown and on the sides.
Click to expand...

Girl,

You've just described my hair. I know we have the same exact hair type. Some women complain about their edges are thin. Mines can't help but congregate. They stick together like glue. Now, that I'm natural my nape is really sweet. They get tangled, but are so nice when wet. When I was relaxed, they stayed so nappy and then started getting really thin and almost bald, probably from many years of relaxing and some stylist not washing out the relaxer. I'm glad those days are gone. Tell me your regimine.

India
 
DesiRae said:
I disagree with these statements.

I claim 4b. My strands are not zig zag.
Click to expand...
The very definition of a 4b hair texture is the lack of a discernible curl pattern. If you have coils or curls then you are not a 4b. 4b hair texture forms a z shaped pattern or a non-uniform shape that doesn't spiral or curl.

They have a really tight curl.
Click to expand...
Tight curls like yours are 4a

I was under the impression the difference between 4a and 4b is whether the curls clump together or not. Mine do not. I am relaxed now but was natural long enough to get to know my texture.
Click to expand...
The distinction between a 4a and 4b is that a 4a is essentially the smallest diameter of a curl that exists and 4b hair types have a non- uniform texture that doesnt have any curl to it and makes either a zig zag shape or an inconsistent pattern. Thats the difference.

I also could lay my hair down in the front with gel and a scarf and get waves, little waves, but waves none the less.
Click to expand...
You have a hair type that's known as 4a silky meaning that you have very tight curls that have the ability to slick down with product and a brush.

So am I 4b or am I not claiming my actual type because i'm mistaken?

My shrunken hair: There are curls there, not zig zags.
Click to expand...
You are textbook 4a silky my love, and you had a lovely head of coils here:yep:

Camerapictures022-vi.jpg


Twistout puff with laid down waves:

Camerapictures372-vi.jpg


Hope that helped hun:love2:
 
I thought 4B hair was fairly common among AA and that the hair boards were not indicative of this.

Now every "Hair Type" thread I enter makes me more confused. BMP could you show us picture of what you consider classic 4B?

I thought I was a 4A/B mix but have been told I'm 4A although many pictures of 4As and combos I've seen only faintly resemble my hair (Cheleigh and SouthernBella come to mind). Now I think Desi's hair share's similar characteristics to my own.

#1: BC
#2: Puff a day after BC
#3: Conditioner
#4: Dry
#5: Puff
 
Last edited:
Not sure where you get your "definition" but, from my experience on NP and Cnappymenow I am 4b and I'm sticking to it. Here's my view:

4b hair is hair that doesn't have a naturally clumping pattern.

NATURALLY, MEANING DRY HAIR WITHOUT MANIPULATION.

Some have coils some don't. We all share a lack of visible curl definition

I have some coils/curls but they don't clump TOGETHER.
I don't have zigzag-shaped hair strands, but the overall appearance of my hair looks like 4b...not 4A.




If i'm not 4b, than neither is Mwedzi:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v...2/?action=view&current=worldstiniestcurls.flv
 
Last edited:
natalie20121 said:
Very interesting thread. I personally was confused about hair types... Just ran to look it up and from what I read it fairly simple. No curls...4b. Curls...4a or below. I originally typed my hair as 4b but I definitely have curls they are just tight. But I guess that why i don't really like the hair typing thing because it seems like a classification system which can make some women feel insecure.

Who cares what hair type is what. As long as our hair is healthy then we have reached the goal we strived for in the first place. We come to these boards for long healthy hair not to find out what hair type we have. I see many women with beautiful 4b hair all the time. I just don't think they are on these boards. Hell... I never knew these boards existed until a few weeks ago. I was relying on beauticians to give me healthy hair tips.
Click to expand...

Nice hair

India
 
See it's hard to define for me, I claimed 4B, but a lot of ppl. said I was 4a....I'm not even sure I know the difference b/n the two.
 
Last edited:
I don't think 4b hair is uncommon, not at all.

Like others have stated, we may not see very many 4b heads walking around because folks with that texture are probably more likely to perm it/hide it.
 
DesiRae said:
Not sure where you get your "definition" but, from my experience on NP and Cnappymenow I am 4b and I'm sticking to it. Here's my view:

4b hair is hair that doesn't have a naturally clumping pattern.

NATURALLY, MEANING DRY HAIR WITHOUT MANIPULATION.

Some have coils some don't. We all share a lack of visible curl definition

I have some coils/curls but they don't clump TOGETHER.
I don't have zigzag-shaped hair strands, but the overall appearance of my hair looks like 4b...not 4A.




If i'm not 4b, than neither is Mwedzi:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v...2/?action=view&current=worldstiniestcurls.flv
Click to expand...
lol okaaayyyy:look:.....not sure why you asked me in the first place then but okay:look: lol

I think naturallycurly's hair type definitions are pretty straightforward and easy to understand.

I you're determined to call yourself a 4b then hey, *shrugs* I don't understand why people get so defensive about a hair identification system but hey it is what it is:ohwell:lol
 
Maybe it's hard to properly classify 4B because there seems to be two definitions of 4B floating around.

One side takes Andre's word verbatim (that 4B has no curl pattern/ has a zig-zag pattern thus a person with smallest coils would get grouped with 4A). The other sides asserts that that definition is too limited and 4B does in fact have coils when you zoom in but from afar is not detectable.
 
Not defensive, just confused.

Well if you're going by NC's 4b hair type definition then yes, 4b hair is uncommon. Not too many out here with zig zag strands and no curl whatsoever.
 
Everyone needs to recognize the 4b is a widely ranging category. I personally believe that 4b can have a coil, it's just super small (in diameter) and you can't make out it's definition unless you're up super close (like in Nonie's pics). Basically, if I can look at a fro and see coils (because they're clearly big enough for me to see without the zoom/macro function on the camera) then you're 4a (like my hair). If I can look at it and can't tell one coil from another, then you're 4b (like Nonie or Desi or Mwedzi).

My sister is a 4b whose hair is literally a cottony mass. No coils, no zig zags, but somehow it's just fluff. I don't even know how to describe it. My ex-so is 4b but his hair literally grows out of his head straight, no zig zags, no coils, just straight. It looks like kinky straight weave hair. Then there's people like Nonie and Desi who when you look up close they have coils, but if you were standing right next to them you wouldn't be able to see any definition of those coils if their hair dried unmanipulated with no product.

Clearly, there is a lot of variation, opinions, and misinformation. I think that's because people want to cling to the idea that 4b is this very specific thing (and is connected to a very specific hair struggle) when it really isn't.
 
Ok, so now I'm understanding that I'm 4b. Not 4a/b like I thought. I have zigzags and no curls at all. I think that this is the most common hairtype among AAs. **Off to change my siggy.**
 
Oh, I also wanted to point out that some of the 4b's people see in real life are just dry, unconditioned, badly taken care of 4a's.

Before I knew about keeping my hair conditioned and moisturized (and staying away from dry combing), I thought my hair was a 4b. It wasn't until after several months of being on lhcf and taking care of my hair that my coils actually appeared.

So, don't always judge a book by its cover.
 
I thought I knew my hair type but I keep coming across different definitions so I have no clue. I have seen pics on growafrohairlong.com and thought I was fine 4b then I saw definition on hairlista.com and thought 4a because I have fine strands. Now with most of these definitions I think I am 4b because my new growth has no curl pattern but my hair is extremely thin.. wheww hair typing is so confusing..lol
 
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