Hair Guide Curl Pattern 4B
WHAT IS 4B HAIR?
All type 4 hair must be handled very gently, so wearing low-manipulation styles are essential for hair health.
Queens with 4b natural hair can have up to 70% shrinkage, and the curls are prone to dryness. You’ll need to avoid direct heat with all type 4 hair to keep damage to a minimum. It is best to stretch your hair without using heat if you don’t like the shrinkage.
Type 4b natural hair can be thick and course, or thin and fine. The hair strands are “z” shaped and highly susceptible to damage and dryness.
Caring for type 4b hair is critical to growing long, healthy locks. You have a choice of hairstyles. You can do a higher maintenance style like a braid-out or a wash and go, or you can opt for a protective style like a natural hair weave or box braids.
It is crucial to follow a 4b natural hair regimen if you have 4b hair. This hair type can be dry, so it is best to co-wash it and use a non-harsh shampoo for natural 4b hair. We recommend Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
Adding a layer of oil or water-based conditioner to the hair and allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes before a shampoo will protect your hair from drying out. Use this pre-poo suggestion for your hair before you wash if your hair is usually dry after shampooing. Typically if you are using a sulfate-free shampoo this should not occur.
Cleansers need to be moisturizing and not hinder the scalp’s natural oil production. Always deep condition, and add leave-in moisture to your hair after a wash.
BEST PRE-POO OILS FOR 4B HAIR:
- Coconut oil
- Argan oil
- Castor oil
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
BEST SHAMPOO FOR 4B HAIR:
Look for shampoos that contain moisturizing ingredients. They should be sulfate and paraben-free to prevent hair from drying. One of the most effective shampoos for 4b hair, again, is Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Shampoo. It gently cleans your hair without causing dryness.
If you still find that shampoos cause your hair to become dry and brittle, you should switch to co-washing. Co-wash stands for conditioner-wash and means that you can add moisture to your hair during the cleanse. We recommend Prismax Control Sulfate-Free Conditioner.
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR 4B HAIR:
The best way to moisturize hair is the L.O.C. (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) method. Start by applying water or a water-based leave-in conditioner. Then, layer a beneficial oil, and a cream to lock in moisture as the last step. Do this after every wash.
Every month, you should apply a Prismax Treatment to your hair care routine for additional moisture and preventative maintenance.
One of the biggest misconceptions about type 4 hair is that it doesn’t grow as fast as other hair types. This is not true. All hair types grow at the same rate, but type 4 hair breaks more than other hair types.
You can achieve hair growth by taking care of your ends and preventing breakage.
BEST SHORT 4B NATURAL HAIRSTYLES
There are 4b natural hairstyles for every hair length. Here are some of the best short 4b natural hairstyles:
AFROS:
This is an obvious choice, and it has looked gorgeous since its major debut in the 70s. Afro hair can become easily tangled though, so be sure to moisturize daily and finger-comb it when it is damp and oiled.
TWISTED OR BRAIDED UP-DO:
Updos work well for people who want to give the illusion that their hair is longer. Twists are a natural way to stretch hair and will give it a longer appearance. Updos are perfect for women who need a protective style because you can tuck the ends.
BEST LONG 4B NATURAL HAIRSTYLES
Here are some styles for long 4b natural hair.
FLAT TWISTS OR BRAIDS WITH LOOSE ENDS:
The twists or braids can go toward the front, or toward the back. Use flexi-rods or hair rollers to moisturize and curl the loose ends.
TWISTED BUN:
This style is simple because it just requires a few large twists, twisted into a bun. It is a low-maintenance and fast style that can last a few days.
STRETCHED UP-DO:
There are many ways to stretch hair without heat. You can put your hair in 2-4 buns and leave it overnight, or use braids, twists, flexi-rods, or hair rollers to stretch it out. Updos are a great way to protect your delicate strands from damage.
If you want to stretch it quickly, then you can blow dry your hair. However, excessive heat use will lead to damage, so it’s best to have patience and use a no-heat method.
TAPERED HAIR:
Tapered hair is an afro that has shorter sides and a shorter back in comparison to the front. It’s an effective way to get rid of damaged edges without losing most of your length.
4B PROTECTIVE STYLES
There are many options if you want to use a protective style by using extensions. Try one of these:
HAIR WEAVE:
Sew-ins are popular because you can have the hair you want by choosing the length, color, and texture. They last about three months, but you’ll need to oil and moisturize your hair underneath and take care of the weave hair too.
BOX BRAIDS:
Box braids can be one of the most time-consuming hairstyles to install, but they also have the lowest maintenance. They can feel heavy depending on how many packs of hair you use, so you may want to keep them in a bun to minimize the weight on your neck. Avoid braiding the fine hair along your edges. It can lead to balding.
CROTCHET TWISTS OR BRAIDS:
Crochet extensions are the fastest and easiest to install. Many people install them by themselves at home because they only require 6-10 cornrows and a crochet needle. You can keep the hair twisted/braided out or unravel them for a faux braid-out.
FAUX LOCS:
These are time-consuming to install but look natural and last a long time. Faux locs are perfect for women who are considering getting dreads but want to see how they look beforehand or wait until their hair is longer to start twisting.
Having 4b natural hair is hard to maintain, but using the right products and protective styles will grow and strengthen your delicate tresses. You’ll fall in love with your curls when they are healthy, moisturized, and easier to manage.