Is type 4b hair uncommon?

[chiprecious]

To answer the initial question, yes, I do think 4b hair is not quite as common as the other types. But you won't be an actual percentage because a lot of people are confused about their type.

Well I'm a happy nappy super duper 4. Is that a category??!! erplexed

But it's simply ridiculous and sad how we as a people are still soooooo obsesses with hair texture AND skin color. This board (hair section) is about women of color achieving healthy hair. But all of these texture threads always seem to go back to self hatred based on slavery days. Is it really so serious to have THIS MANY PAGES debating coils, curls, and naps?? :realitycheck:

If something doesn't work on your texture, make a note and move on! I'm 9 months into my transition and I already know that when I post BC pics, I won't get as many "Oh your hair is so purty" posts. Hate me for saying this, but I'm light enough but my hair is too nappy. I get it and accept it. I also know to not expect to be able to use coconut oil and water to slick my edges. GET OVER IT AND DO YOU!!!!!! ffrant:

 

[Nonie]

Well according to some of the logic in this thread, you're a 4a because you have little tiny coils.

That does not count! It doesn't count if you're only saying it to prove a point! My hair is thought of as so typically 4b that you can actually make arguments using it as evidence. If someone says "4b hair does x", you can actually enter my hair as an exhibit and be like "mwedzi's hair doesn't" and it will stand in court!

Exactly. You are def "4b". But folks are talking about "4b" doesn't have any coils...it has no pattern whatsoever. And in that case nobody is 4b except for the 1a's.

Like I said, I'm sticking with type 4...matter of fact I might just go back to calling it nappy. Forget all this extra stuff.

OK, Msa, you had me clutching my pearls going "Say WHAAAT???" when you wrote Mwedzi was 4A. I need to stay tuned in coz I missed your sarcasm and thought I had lost you.

Hail Team 4-Something!

Bravenewgirl87, you bring up interesting points.

As for shiny 4's and dull 3's perhaps it's not the silkiness of the hair that determines curl clumping but the smoothness? Like cottony/spongy hair may not clump as much and is light and tends to grow up instead of down? Hair that is smooth may not necessarily be fine and silky?

Incidentally, I would like to chime in on the suggestion that a long discussion about type such as this shows we have issues about our hair. I personally do not and I know there are many in this discussion who do not.

The reason I have been so active in this thread is because I truly get pleasure from sharing any knowledge I have. For me, my hair journey has been pure joy. Yes there are days I'm at a loss on what to do with my hair--like when my twists were at some weird length and just didn't seem to hang right. But you won't find me getting all frustrated with it. I love head wraps. I love baggying...and so I might go with that for a day or two, but within a few days, my hair and I make up and we're off on yet another honeymoon. Do I care about shine? No. Do I care about clumping? No. Does it bother me that it looks CNappy at times? No. I love my hair and all it's quirks and to be honest I sometimes have to remind myself to be humble and replace pride with gratitude because I had nothing to do with this crowning glory and it takes just one misfortune to lose it all.

So I guess there may be people in this thread with issues about hair. Nay, I know there are people with issues about hair here, but there are also people who really just want to learn. People who have been told one thing all their lives and now suddenly are being told "Pluto isn't a planet" so are going, "Huh? Hold on one friggin' minute...."

Hence the questions abound and the discussion continues as those of us who feel certain that we get it--personal convictions BTW, not necessarily the gospel--share as much as we can in the hope that those who weren't sure too can get to a place where their questions are somewhat answered.

Oh and just because some of us "informers" now say we will henceforth be of type 4-something doesn't mean we are no longer convinced about, say, my type or Mwedzi's or Priss Pot's or Neith's....to name a few; but rather we're realizing that some are finding this more complicated than it needs to be. Therefore, why not settle for the one title we all can agree on: Type 4. After all, not knowing your type will not stop you from growing a good head of hair. In fact, I think focusing on type can be more of a distraction from actually absorbing the necessary information needed to grow and retain what we all want: a healthy head of hair.

All hair regardless of type needs the same basic building blocks and nourishment. The difference in proportions needed are unique to each particular head, not a particular type--which is why your hair might like Shea butter and mine might not. Or yours might like a lot of protein and mine might not. Yours may get mushy with too much moisture while mine may thirst for moisture all the time. I might be anemic and need extra iron while you might not. All these differences occur in varying degrees within all types. So everyone needs to get familiar with his or her own hair and learn how to discern its needs so that s/he can adjust his/her own regimen as necessary. The last thing you need is to wake up one day with a sorry head of hair that has been neglected for years because you were so busy chasing, say, Mwedzi's hair and her regimen, you forgot to come home to your own hair and spend quality time with it and can make that "marriage" work.

 

[Kurlee]

To answer the initial question, yes, I do think 4b hair is not quite as common as the other types. But you won't be an actual percentage because a lot of people are confused about their type.

Well I'm a happy nappy super duper 4. Is that a category??!! erplexed

But it's simply ridiculous and sad how we as a people are still soooooo obsesses with hair texture AND skin color. This board (hair section) is about women of color achieving healthy hair. But all of these texture threads always seem to go back to self hatred based on slavery days. Is it really so serious to have THIS MANY PAGES debating coils, curls, and naps?? :realitycheck:

If something doesn't work on your texture, make a note and move on! I'm 9 months into my transition and I already know that when I post BC pics, I won't get as many "Oh your hair is so purty" posts. Hate me for saying this, but I'm light enough but my hair is too nappy. I get it and accept it. I also know to not expect to be able to use coconut oil and water to slick my edges. GET OVER IT AND DO YOU!!!!!! ffrant:

 

[Kurlee]

OK, Msa, you had me clutching my pearls going "Say WHAAAT???" when you wrote Mwedzi was 4A. I need to stay tuned in coz I missed your sarcasm and thought I had lost you.

Hail Team 4-Something!





Incidentally, I would like to chime in on the suggestion that a long discussion about type such as this shows we have issues about our hair. I personally do not and I know there are many in this discussion who do not.

The reason I have been so active in this thread is because I truly get pleasure from sharing any knowledge I have. For me, my hair journey has been pure joy. Yes there are days I'm at a loss on what to do with my hair--like when my twists were at some weird length and just didn't seem to hang right. But you won't find me getting all frustrated with it. I love head wraps. I love baggying...and so I might go with that for a day or two, but within a few days, my hair and I make up and we're off on yet another honeymoon. Do I care about shine? No. Do I care about clumping? No. Does it bother me that it looks CNappy at times? No. I love my hair and all it's quirks and to be honest I sometimes have to remind myself to be humble and replace pride with gratitude because I had nothing to do with this crowning glory and it takes just one misfortune to lose it all.

So I guess there may be people in this thread with issues about hair. Nay, I know there are people with issues about hair here, but there are also people who really just want to learn. People who have been told one thing all their lives and now suddenly are being told "Pluto isn't a planet" so are going, "Huh? Hold on one friggin' minute...."

Hence the questions abound and the discussion continues as those of us who feel certain that we get it--personal convictions BTW, not necessarily the gospel--share as much as we can in the hope that those who weren't sure too can get to a place where their questions are somewhat answered.

Oh and just because some of us "informers" now say we will henceforth be of type 4-something doesn't mean we are no longer convinced about, say, my type or Mwedzi's or Priss Pot's or Neith's....to name a few; but rather we're realizing that some are finding this more complicated than it needs to be. Therefore, why not settle for the one title we all can agree on: Type 4. After all, not knowing your type will not stop you from growing a good head of hair. In fact, I think focusing on type can be more of a distraction from actually absorbing the necessary information needed to grow and retain what we all want: a healthy head of hair.

All hair regardless of type needs the same basic building blocks and nourishment. The difference in proportions needed are unique to each particular head, not a particular type--which is why your hair might like Shea butter and mine might not. Or yours might like a lot of protein and mine might not. Yours may get mushy with too much moisture while mine may thirst for moisture all the time. I might be anemic and need extra iron while you might not. All these differences occur in varying degrees within all types. So everyone needs to get familiar with his or her own hair and learn how to discern its needs so that s/he can adjust his/her own regimen as necessary. The last thing you need is to wake up one day with a sorry head of hair that has been neglected for years because you were so busy chasing, say, Mwedzi's hair and her regimen, you forgot to come home to your own hair and spend quality time with it and can make that "marriage" work.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

OK, Msa, you had me clutching my pearls going "Say WHAAAT???" when you wrote Mwedzi was 4A. I need to stay tuned in coz I missed your sarcasm and thought I had lost you.

Hail Team 4-Something!





Incidentally, I would like to chime in on the suggestion that a long discussion about type such as this shows we have issues about our hair. I personally do not and I know there are many in this discussion who do not.

The reason I have been so active in this thread is because I truly get pleasure from sharing any knowledge I have. For me, my hair journey has been pure joy. Yes there are days I'm at a loss on what to do with my hair--like when my twists were at some weird length and just didn't seem to hang right. But you won't find me getting all frustrated with it. I love head wraps. I love baggying...and so I might go with that for a day or two, but within a few days, my hair and I make up and we're off on yet another honeymoon. Do I care about shine? No. Do I care about clumping? No. Does it bother me that it looks CNappy at times? No. I love my hair and all it's quirks and to be honest I sometimes have to remind myself to be humble and replace pride with gratitude because I had nothing to do with this crowning glory and it takes just one misfortune to lose it all.

So I guess there may be people in this thread with issues about hair. Nay, I know there are people with issues about hair here, but there are also people who really just want to learn. People who have been told one thing all their lives and now suddenly are being told "Pluto isn't a planet" so are going, "Huh? Hold on one friggin' minute...."

Hence the questions abound and the discussion continues as those of us who feel certain that we get it--personal convictions BTW, not necessarily the gospel--share as much as we can in the hope that those who weren't sure too can get to a place where their questions are somewhat answered.

Oh and just because some of us "informers" now say we will henceforth be of type 4-something doesn't mean we are no longer convinced about, say, my type or Mwedzi's or Priss Pot's or Neith's....to name a few; but rather we're realizing that some are finding this more complicated than it needs to be. Therefore, why not settle for the one title we all can agree on: Type 4. After all, not knowing your type will not stop you from growing a good head of hair. In fact, I think focusing on type can be more of a distraction from actually absorbing the necessary information needed to grow and retain what we all want: a healthy head of hair.

All hair regardless of type needs the same basic building blocks and nourishment. The difference in proportions needed are unique to each particular head, not a particular type--which is why your hair might like Shea butter and mine might not. Or yours might like a lot of protein and mine might not. Yours may get mushy with too much moisture while mine may thirst for moisture all the time. I might be anemic and need extra iron while you might not. All these differences occur in varying degrees within all types. So everyone needs to get familiar with his or her own hair and learn how to discern its needs so that s/he can adjust his/her own regimen as necessary. The last thing you need is to wake up one day with a sorry head of hair that has been neglected for years because you were so busy chasing, say, Mwedzi's hair and her regimen, you forgot to come home to your own hair and spend quality time with it and can make that "marriage" work.

This has been my sentiments all along. I don't even think it matters what texture you UNLESS you're trying to make it do something it CANNOT inherently do. It just... won't do it.
You can learn to work with your texture. Each varying texture has its own set of unique problems, as with each head of hair.

ETA: Majority of the severe problems that people assume other blacks might have with their texture really only exist on hair message boards, IMO. Some people think their hair is too nappy to wear out, they slap on a relaxer or a weave and go along their merry way. All this getting up-in-arms because someone even remotely implied (in the individual's mind) that a person's hair might be nappy is obsolete to me, IRL.

A lot of the descriptive words about certain hair textures are misleading, but image is everything to some women. The fact that type-4 hair is not "dry" in texture but can look "dry" really bothers some women. There's just something about that potential "undone" look doesn't sit right with them.

 

[Priss Pot]

My main point was that Miss Priss Pot could be a 4A based only on her curl pattern (since shine, sheen, porosity, density, and strand diameter are not taken into account by most systems). She hair looked as though it could be in a stretched style.

The style in my siggy is my natural texture. My hairline is 4a, and I have a patch (about the size of my palm) in my crown area that has 4a properties and is also the driest. The rest of my hair has a looser pattern. I don't really claim 3c like that, even though that's what a lot of my hair is. I claim the highest numbered texture that is in my hair (4a) because when buying products, I want to be sure to get stuff that will work on my highest texture instead of getting stuff that just works on type 3 hair, and have my type 4 looking busted using the wrong products.

I hope that made sense. But that's how I type *my* hair.

 

[Nonie]

He looks like a 1b to me, what do y'all think?

Yessir, he is an ugly thing. What movie is this from? lol

Neith, I'm gonna need you to sit on the naughty stool for a bit. I'm mad you checked out his hair texture.

 

[loulou82]

The style in my siggy is my natural texture. My hairline is 4a, and I have a patch (about the size of my palm) in my crown area that has 4a properties and is also the driest. The rest of my hair has a looser pattern. I don't really claim 3c like that, even though that's what a lot of my hair is. I claim the highest numbered texture that is in my hair (4a) because when buying products, I want to be sure to get stuff that will work on my highest texture instead of getting stuff that just works on type 3 hair, and have my type 4 looking busted using the wrong products.

I hope that made sense. But that's how I type *my* hair.

Cool. Welcome to the 4 Type/ Something/ Whatever Family .

 

[glamazon386]

The style in my siggy is my natural texture. My hairline is 4a, and I have a patch (about the size of my palm) in my crown area that has 4a properties and is also the driest. The rest of my hair has a looser pattern. I don't really claim 3c like that, even though that's what a lot of my hair is. I claim the highest numbered texture that is in my hair (4a) because when buying products, I want to be sure to get stuff that will work on my highest texture instead of getting stuff that just works on type 3 hair, and have my type 4 looking busted using the wrong products.

I hope that made sense. But that's how I type *my* hair.

ITA with this whole post... Our hair is similar.

 

[Neith]

Neith, I'm gonna need you to sit on the naughty stool for a bit. I'm mad you checked out his hair texture.

We were already on the subject though

 

[DarkVictory]

He looks like a 1b to me, what do y'all think?

Looks like a scab hair situation to me.

 

[glamazon386]

Looks like a scab hair situation to me.

Y'all ain't right!

 

[Stiletto_Diva]

I think to see NATURAL 4b hair IRL is uncommon. Before I came to the boards I thought all black people had 4b hair and maybe a few had 4a.

When I first joined I was obsessed with finding my hair twin and my hair type. Before long I just gave up with the hair typing because my hair falls in between 4a and 4b. Most of the curls dont clump together, but they do have a curl pattern. You also can't see the curl pattern from a distance. It's all so very confusing.

 

[prettyw/pink]

I am new to the board. So I have know idea . I am relaxed, so I don't know what I should consider myself.

 

[Desarae]

I am new to the board. So I have know idea . I am relaxed, so I don't know what I should consider myself.

You're relaxed, so you're 1a like me.

 

[wild curls raquelle]

I think there are probably more 4a/b's than we realize. It all comes down to what the person sees or think they see. Also I think for some people saying they have 4b may put them in a category of "bad hair" and less defined. Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone but natural or not, to some degree everyone is concerned about society's standards. I do believe and have seen some people who are 4b/z's that simple will not admit they have 4b hair and will say they are 3c. On another note though, I understand the purpose of hair typing but people need to get over it. The big problem with hair typing is not the size of the curl, but rather the texture. People often think if your hair is this size curl it should be this texture which is definitely not the case. We as women, particularly women of color need to embrace all the variety we have been blessed with from our hair to our skin. It's just hair and it does not define you. When realize that we can get beyond the good hair/ bad hair.

As for myself I refuse to formally commit to a hair type. I know that for logistical reasons I'm between a 3c and 4a. But I prefer to call them wild curls. Simple because they do what they want and mother calls me wild child when the curls are out. I'm so over the hair typing because to some degree I do believe it covertly brings about the self-hatred amongst women of color. Some people say oh girl you got naps, you should comb your hair I could care less. Stop focusing on what your hair looks like and focus on the health of your hair. I rather have (I hate using this word) nappy hair that's healthy instead of damaged.

 

[virtuenow]

This is a great breakdown but I've never seen a 4b that looked shiny or silky. 4b hair may feel soft to the touch but it usually doesn't look it - even when moisturized to the max. I'm just saying... IME, most 4a's aren't even shiny. I understand the silky texture for 4a though. And some 3's are dull and not shiny. There's so many exceptions.

Okay, I intended to be innovative and change the meanings of 4a & 4b as we see it. But now I'm going back to my post to edit the categories to fit our standards so as to clear any confusion. Please see page 26 of this post!

I separate the silky clumper/waving 4's from the dry matting 4's completey (stay in your lane!)

It will be: 4a(1), 4a(2); 4b(1), 4b(2). That way we can continue to use the same uniform system without adding a 4c and 4d. we can pretty much keep the same meanings of 4a & 4b - but just add more definitions or characteristics to each category.

 

[MamiWata]

I've always assumed most (as in 99.99%) black people have hair just like mine, 4B. There are exceptions in my own family, but by far, most that I know or see are 4B.

Anyways, I don't think I have any hair issues, just an obsession. I am a 4B, with no ifs, ands, or buts about it, and I'm loving it.

Since deciding to go natural, I've honestly only really cared about other 4Bs. I focus on them so I can know whose hair to idealize/envy. There are definitely still other lovely heads I've noticed, but I want to see what I should expect throughout my hair journey and learn how to properly care for my hair from veterans with hair similar to my own.

I don't see this obsession passing anytime soon. At least, not until I fully surpass armpit length. By then, I'll be done learned my own hair and love it best of all. But for now, I really enjoy browsing galleries, videos, blogs, and forums for information and inspiration.

 

[PerplexingComplex]

I chose 4a/b because I really don't know which one. Doesn't really matter.

I think 4b hair is common among black people.

 

[my-my]

I'm a proud member of the type 4 something club and I have been for a long time.
I have a routine that is working for me and my hair is thriving. Whether I'm actually a 4a, 4a/b, or a 4b isn't going to change how I treat my hair.

 

[jupitermoon]

Good. I've learned that type 4 is very diverse and that not only curl size is a factor in determining hair type but texture also. Since my hair is more coarse, I am a type 4 despite curl size. So I am a part of the type 4 something club.

Hair typing is confusing but interesting.

 

[Nonie]

I guess then all we did was confuse matters coz you're no type 4 anything to me. You are clearly a 3 to me. But that's OK, it doesn't matter what I think. You be whatever you want to be.

Oh wait, were you cracking a joke? I can be slow sometimes.

 

[jupitermoon]

I guess then all we did was confuse matters coz you're no type 4 anything to me. You are clearly a 3 to me. But that's OK, it doesn't matter what I think. You be whatever you want to be.

Oh wait, were you cracking a joke? I can be slow sometimes.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm kind of clueless, lol.

Hair typing is kind of subjective.

I guess we can all agree that type 1 hair is straight.

 

[jennboo]

Good. I've learned that type 4 is very diverse and that not only curl size is a factor in determining hair type but texture also. Since my hair is more coarse, I am a type 4 despite curl size. So I am a part of the type 4 something club.

Hair typing is confusing but interesting.

Unless thats a braid-out you have going on there, if you are a type 4 then i'm a type 1, lol.

 

[jupitermoon]

No, it's not a braid out. Jennboo, my hair is coarse not silky. I've noticed that many factor in hair texture along with curl size when determining hair type. My coarse texture makes my hair more type 4.

 

[claudia05]

It's impossible to categorize every single unique hair type. There's a continuum and a lot be people fall in-between...

CNapp-------4b-------4a/b---------4a----------4a/3c

 

[skegeesmb]

4b's I find tend to be more common IRL than what I see on this hair board. Now more pro natural boards will have more 4b's. NP has a lot of great examples of woman that are 4b's. I know my friend is a 4b. Her hair doesn't have a lot of shine, and looks cottony, but it is very soft. My other friend (my celestial twin) has 4b hair that is cottony but very coarse. It is not soft like my other friend.

My hair is a 3-4 combination. It's 4 on the top half, and 3 in the back. It's very strange.

 

[sylver2]

No, it's not a braid out. Jennboo, my hair is coarse not silky. I've noticed that many factor in hair texture along with curl size when determining hair type. My coarse texture makes my hair more type 4.

omg!! so you are serious..lol
no you aren't a type 4...at all.
this thread is

 

[claudia05]

No, it's not a braid out. Jennboo, my hair is coarse not silky. I've noticed that many factor in hair texture along with curl size when determining hair type. My coarse texture makes my hair more type 4.

Coarseness has nothing to do with hair type. There are coarse 1's,2's, and 3's just as there are silky 4's. You look to be 3a/b...

 

[Nonie]

Would suggesting that 4's are more like a compact/compressed spring unless stretched out with some product and tend to grow out rather than down and shrink in a way that can create an afro that's round like a microphone:

...as seen above, while while 3's resemble a stretched-out spring in addition to having bigger coils and usually would form a floppy afro as seen below make matters worse?