How to Know What Type of Hair you Have

Have you ever pondered, "What kind of hair do I actually have?" while standing in front of the mirror? If so, you're most certainly not by yourself. One of the first stages to developing a hair care regimen that truly works is determining your hair type. Knowing your hair type, whether you live in the US or the UK, enables you to choose the best products, prevent damage, and maximize the potential of your hair.
Using quick, simple techniques you can attempt at home, this How to Know What Type of Hair you Have tutorial will show you how to determine what type of hair you have. It's made for everyone, regardless of gender, age, hair length, or shortness.

The Significance of Understanding Your Hair Type

Understanding your hair type might be beneficial for:

Choosing the appropriate conditioner and shampoo

Identifying styling products that won't harm your hair

lowering oiliness, dryness, or frizz

Avoiding split ends and breakage

Knowing how products and treatments affect your hair

In the American and British markets, hair products are frequently labeled for particular hair types. You won't waste money on things that don't work for you if you know yours.

The Four Essential Components of Hair Type

You must consider four crucial elements in order to fully comprehend your hair type:

Texture (Coily, Curly, Wavy, and Straight)

Thickness of Strand (Fine, Medium, Thick)

Porosity (the ability of your hair to hold onto moisture)

Type of Scalp (Dry, Normal, or Oily)

To determine your precise hair type, let's dissect each one.

1. Determining Your Hair Texture
Your hair texture is the form or pattern of your strands after they are thoroughly cleaned, let to air dry, and not styled with any products.

Usually shiny
can easily become greasy

Hair with waves 
creates organic S-shaped designs
has some bounce and loudness.
Frizz could occur in humid conditions.

Curly Hair
possesses distinct ringlets or loops
If not moisturized, it could feel parched.
When dry, it frequently shrinks.

Coily Hair
zigzag patterns or tight, tiny curls
prone to shrinkage and dryness
requires nourishing, rich care.

How to test it: Wash your hair and use no style products; instead, let it air dry fully. Next, examine your strands' pattern. It will display your inherent texture.

2. Calculating the Thickness of Hair Strands

This is not a reference to your hair count, but rather to the width of a single hair strand.

How to determine whether your hair is fine, medium, or thick 

Fine hair
very soft to touch
Breaks easily
Lack of volume

Medium Hair
Not overly coarse or soft
Capable of supporting styles
Typical in both sexes

Coarse or thick hair
feels robust or rough.
may be resistant to styling techniques.
When dry, it might become heavy.

How to put it to the test:

Hold one strand in each of your fingers:

Hardly notice it? Everything is alright.

A little obvious? Moderate.

Does it feel powerful or thick? It's rough.

3. Determining the Porosity of Your Hair

The ability of your hair to absorb and hold onto water and products is known as porosity.

How to determine your hair porosity at home

Low Porosity
Water usually remains on the surface.
It could take some time for products to absorb.
It takes longer to dry.

Medium Porosity 
retains and absorbs moisture well.
Simple to handle
The air dries normally.

High porosity
Water is quickly absorbed yet soon lost.
dries quickly.
frequently feels damaged or dry.

Test for Porosity:

Take a few of your brush's clean strands.

Put them in a glass of water that is at room temperature.

Give it three to five minutes.

if it floats: Low

If it drops gradually: Moderate

If it rapidly sinks: High


4. Determining Your Type of Scalp

The amount of oil on your scalp greatly influences how frequently you should wash and what products you should use.

Oily Scalp
feels oily one to two days after washing.
Hair appears weighed down or flat.
prone to accumulation

Dry Scalp
feels flaky, tight, or scratchy.
Hair may feel scratchy or appear lifeless.

Normal Scalp
Not very dry or greasy
Hair remains lustrous for a few days.

To test your scalp, refrain from washing your hair for 48 hours. Next, gently massage your scalp with a tissue:

Your scalp is greasy if you notice oil stains.

It's dry if there are some flakes or tightness but no oil.

You probably have a normal scalp if there is only a little hint of oil.

Examples of Common Hair Types

The majority of people fit into one of these categories. Here are some combinations from the actual world:

Lightweight, clarifying solutions are necessary for fine, straight, oily hair.

Dry, thick, curly hair benefits from curl treatments and deep conditioners.

Normal, medium, and wavy hair types are adaptable and do well with most products.

Dry, coily, and very porous scalp: necessitates intensive hydration and scalp care.

Suggested Products for Straight Hair in the USA and the UK for Every Hair Type

US: Anti-Residue Shampoo by Neutrogena

UK: Balancing Shampoo by Aveda Scalp Solutions

Wavy Hair

OGX Coconut Curls Conditioner in the US

UK: Curl Enhancing Lotion by Umberto Giannini

Regarding Curly Hair

Maui Moisture Curl Quench in the US

UK: Cantu Activator Cream for Moisturizing Curls

Regarding Coily Hair

US: Pomegranate Honey Twisting Soufflé by Mielle Organics

UK: Raw Shea Butter Leave-In by SheaMoisture

Professional Advice on Taking Care of Your Hair Type 

Always be sure a product is designed for your particular scalp type and texture.

Stay Hydrated
At least once a week, deep condition your hair, particularly if it's dry or curly.

Avoid Overwashing
Natural oils can be removed by frequent washing, particularly if your hair is dry or curly.

Wash your scalp.
Make sure your scalp is balanced and clean, even if you use very little product.

Trim Often
To ensure proper growth, trim split ends every 6–8 weeks.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is it possible for me to have multiple hair types?
Indeed! Many people's heads have varied textures in different places.

Does a person's hair type change with time?
Indeed, your texture and porosity can alter due to aging, weather, hormones, and hair treatments.

How frequently should my hair type be evaluated?
every few months, particularly if your hair has recently undergone chemical treatment, coloring, or heat styling.