What Are The 3 Different Hair Types And How To Identify Them?

Know what type of hair you have to give it the TLC that works best for it.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Madhuri Agarwal, MBBS, MD
August 8, 2022 By Jyotsana Rao

What Are The 3 Different Hair Types And How To Identify Them?

Hair is the crown you never take off! Long, silky, and lustrous hair has been a favorite subject for most poets. Your hair is unique, and there are three different hair types among women.

It is like an accessory that can enhance our style and reflects our personality. So, it is important to give proper care and attention to your hair. And for that, you need to know about the type of hair you have. So, keep reading this article to know the different hair types and more. Scroll down!

In This Article

Different Hair Types

A. Oily Hair

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It is very common for those with oily skin to have oily hair. The skin type does not vary between the visible surface and your scalp. Hence, you have oily hair. Oily skin means oily scalp and if your scalp is oily, your hair will automatically become oily.

This is primarily due to excess secretion of the natural oil called sebum (1).

How To Recognize This Hair Type

The hair looks dull and lifeless most of the times.
However much you shampoo, your hair will look greasy and limp in just a day or two.

Care

Shampoo frequently.
Avoid touching your hair. Oils can be transferred from your skin to the hair.
Avoid oil massages as this will stimulate more oil secretion
Opt for cool / room temperature water for hair wash. Hot water stimulates more oil production.
Avoid conditioner on roots of the hair.

B. Dry Hair

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Fewer or lesser number of oil glands leads to dry hair.

If you have dry skin, it is most likely that you will have dry hair. This is a result of the insufficient production of sebum by the glands on your scalp.

How To Recognize This Hair Type

Dry and frizzy hair due to overexposure to the sun, using harsh shampoos and chemical treatment (1)
Split ends
Excessive hair breakage and loss

Care

Indulge in lukewarm oil massages.
Go for deep conditioning or leave-in treatments.
Refrain from using flat irons and other heat styling tools.
Avoid daily shampoo as it will dry the hair further.
Opt for home remedies like mashed avocado hair masks. Leave in and rinse off after 30 minutes.

C. Normal Hair

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You are lucky if you have this hair type!

Proper pH balance, shiny and healthy hair come in conjunction with this type (2). Though we must tell you that the name is a huge misnomer. This is the most uncommon hair type to find. Take the regular precautions to clean, moisturize, and protect it from sun damage and you will never face too many troubles with this hair type.

How To Recognize This Hair Type

Healthy hair with minimal hair loss
Minimal dandruff and other issues

Care

Eat a balanced diet to maintain this hair.
Opt for shampoos that are sulfate-free.
Condition regularly.

Tips To Determine Different Types Of Hair

If you want to know what your hair type is, try out this simple test. Dab a tissue on your scalp the second day after wash.

If there’s an oil blot, you have normal hair.
If the tissue shows nothing, it is dry.
If strands stick to each other, it is greasy and you have oily hair.

Hopefully, you should be able to identify your hair type using these simple tips. To maintain overall health of the hair, you should

Opt for a healthy diet full of B vitamins.
Air dry your hair rather than heat or towel dry.
Use gentle shampoos. Try baby shampoos once in a while.
Don’t brush your hair when its wet.
Embrace your natural hair and avoid chemical or heat treatment.

Just like the skin, there are different hair types: oily, dry, and normal. These hair types are determined by the amount of sebum (natural oil) produced by the scalp. Each of these hair types requires different care routines. You cannot use an oily hair care routine or product to care for dry hair or vice versa. You can determine your hair type using the tissue test. Place a tissue on unwashed hair. If you see an oil blot on the tissue, you have normal hair; if the tissue sticks to your strands, you have oily hair; and if the tissue is dry, you have dry hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 6 basic types of hair textures?

Six basic types of hair textures are straight, wavy, coarse, curly, fine, and frizzy.

Can you change your hair type?

No. Your DNA defines your hair structure, so you can do much to change your hair type.

Which hair type shrinks the most?

Type 4C hair shrinks the most because these curls (or coils) are tighter than other curl patterns.

Learn to love your hair and it shall show its love by being fabulous.

Sources

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