This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
On July 31, 2019, understanding your hair texture became a crucial aspect of hair care. Knowing your hair texture will help you take better care of it and reduce the chances of breakage, thinning, and lack of hair growth.
There are several factors that determine your hair type, including hair density, diameter, porosity, elasticity, and curl pattern.
Hair density refers to the amount of hair on your scalp. It can be classified into three levels: thin, medium, and thick. A simple mirror test can help you determine your hair density. Grab a big section of your hair and pull it aside. The extent to which you can see your scalp determines your hair density.
Another factor that determines your hair type is hair diameter. The diameter of your hair refers to the width of an individual hair strand. Your hair can either be thin, medium, or thick in diameter. Thin hair can hardly be felt between your fingers, medium hair can be felt slightly, and thick hair can be felt.
Porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture and subsequently, product. Submerge a strand of your hair in a cup of water to determine its porosity. Hair that is very porous sinks to the bottom of the cup, while hair that is a little porous floats on the surface of the cup.
Hair elasticity refers to your hair's ability to stretch. Highly elastic hair is shiny and bouncy. To test hair elasticity, wet your hair, pluck a strand, and stretch it as far as it can go without breaking.
Lastly, curl pattern is another factor that determines your hair type. Hair is categorized into curly, wavy, kinky, and straight patterns. African hair is mainly kinky, with a high hair density and very tight curls that resemble a Z pattern.
