Dense springy coils with a visible S-pattern. Type 4A hair forms tight, springy coils about the width of a crochet needle with a visible S-pattern. Learn how to identify 4A hair and build a moisture-first routine that retains length.
Build my 4A routineFree · 2 minutes · No signup required
Your coils are tight and springy, about the circumference of a crochet needle, and they hold a visible S-shape when you stretch one out. The pattern is defined enough to see individual coils.
Moisture loss. Type 4A has so many tight bends that the cuticle is naturally raised at every turn, letting water escape fast. The sealing step is what separates a good 4A routine from a failing one.
4A hair is typically high porosity. That is why the order of products matters so much: water first to hydrate, then a cream or oil to lock it in before it evaporates.
Knowing your type is the first half. The quiz covers the other half — your porosity, scalp condition, damage level, and which ingredients your hair does not tolerate — then builds the routine around all of it.
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