If you are anything like me, when I started the natural hair journey, I was nervous but at the same time excited because I was going to see another part of me more in depth, that was always poking out of the roots of my head under the relaxer. The "new growth" is what it is called when you have a relaxer, but to me it was like the real me would keep fighting to come to the surface, but it would get beat down by the chemicals every 6-8 weeks. Why did I feel like I had to keep denying that part of me? Well like others we were trained to think that our real hair texture was undesirable and not right. And when you look around everyone has a different hair texture coming out of our heads, just because you are African American, doesn't mean that the texture of hair will be the same compared to another.
Well one of the things I learned about my hair, once the permed hair was cut off was the actual true texture of my hair. I didn't know what was coming out of my scalp from the age of 11 to 23, the years I wore a relaxer. I discovered so many things about my hair, so let me clue you in to some facts I learned. This will be Part 1 of the basics of getting to know your hair. Your true texture of your hair was an enemy when you wore a relaxer, now its time to mend your relationship and actually be really good friends with your hair...and yourself:)
Different Hair Textures
There are a few classification systems that grade the different hair textures that are present in humans. (information derived from http://www.curls.biz/curly-hair-type-guide.html and http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types)
Type 1-Straight
This hair is super straight naturally, and is one of the hardest types of hair to manipulate and style by curling, etc. This hair type is the oilest. Some celebrity examples of this hair type are Jennifer Anniston and Lucy Liu.
Type 2-Wavy
This type of hair is natually wavy. It lies between straight and curly. The hair pattern it demonstrates is in the form of an S. There are 3 subtypess with this hair type, 2a, 2b, and 2c. All of type 2's are more prone to frizz. Sub type 2a, can easily transition between straight or curly styles, 2b is more resistant to styling and has a moderate amount of frizz and type 2 c is heavily resistant to styling and more prone to frizz than the other subtypes. Some celebrity examples of 2a include Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ashley Olsen. Type 2b celebrities include Joss Stone and Carrie Underwood. Type 2c celebs include Shakira and Daisy Fuentes in their natural hair state.
Type 3-Curly
This hair type has a defined S-shape when you look at a strand of hair individually. This hair type has very defined curl that range in size. There are three subtypes in this group, 3a, 3b, and 3 c. Some 3a subtype celebrities include Nicole Kidman, Chili from TLC and Julia Roberts. 3b celebrities include Keri Russell, and Mya. 3b celebrities include Mel B. from the Spice Girls, and Rachel True.
Type 4-Kinky
This hair type has three subtypes as well 4a, 4b and 4c in which this group is classified by a tighter curl pattern where 4a hair strands are still defined by an "S" pattern and where 4b and 4c are defined by a more "Z" pattern type of hair strand. This hiar type is the most fragile out of all of them and can get to be the driest. It is soft to the touch even though misconcieved as being rough. Some celebrity examples of 4a include Kelis (when her was in it's natural state) and Solange Knowles (since she no longer wears a relaxer). 4b's include Jill Scott and Macy Gray. 4c's are Lauryn Hill, India Arie and Whoopi Goldberg.
Ok guys hope that was not overwhelming, but in general often people have at least 2 or three subtypes on their head. Like for me I believe I am a mix of 4b/4c mostly with some 4a at the top of my head. Knowing your hair type will help you to determine the type of hair products you need to use... to be continued...:)
