Intro: Why Knowing Your Hair Type Matters
Ever wonder why the same shampoo works wonders for your friend but leaves your own hair flat, frizzy, or greasy? The secret lies in your hair type. Understanding your curl pattern, texture, density, porosity, and scalp condition is the foundation of a healthy routine.
This guide breaks down the science behind hair typing, helps you test your own hair at home, and gives you dermatologist-backed insights so you can finally choose the right products and methods for your strands.
Understanding the Hair Typing System
The most widely used framework is the Andre Walker Hair Typing System [1], which groups hair into four main types:
● Type 1 (Straight)
● Type 2 (Wavy)
● Type 3 (Curly)
● Type 4 (Coily)
Each has three subtypes (A, B, C) that show how tight the curl or wave pattern is. While useful, remember: many people have a mix of patterns, so this is a guide—not a rigid box.
Type 1: Straight Hair
● 1A: Very fine, soft, and flat. Hard to hold curls.
● 1B: More body than 1A, can hold styling better.
● 1C: Slight bends, more texture, can be frizz-prone.
Common concern: Excess oiliness since sebum spreads quickly down straight strands.
👉 Yanibest Pick: Ginger Clarifying & Strengthening Shampoo — balances scalp oil without stripping delicate strands.
Type 2: Wavy Hair
● 2A: Loose, tousled waves. Easy to straighten.
● 2B: Defined “S” waves, prone to frizz in humidity.
● 2C: Thicker strands, stronger bends, frizz and tangling likely.
Pro tip: Lightweight conditioners help tame frizz without flattening waves.
👉 Yanibest Pick: Ginger Nourishing Conditioner — lightweight hydration to smooth frizz while keeping waves bouncy.
Type 3: Curly Hair
● 3A: Loose, large curls—springy and bouncy.
● 3B: Tighter, corkscrew curls. Needs more moisture.
● 3C: Very tight, dense coils. Shrinks more, prone to dryness.
Care focus: Hydration and frizz protection.
👉 Yanibest Pick: Batana Rosemary Castor Hair Oil — seals moisture into curls, strengthens ends, and enhances definition.
Type 4: Coily Hair
● 4A: Tight coils with visible S-shape. Fragile, needs gentle handling.
● 4B: Zig-zag strands, less defined, can feel wiry.
● 4C: Tightly packed coils with minimal definition and maximum shrinkage.
Care focus: Heavy moisturizers, protective styles.
👉 Yanibest Pick: Butter Satin Bonnet — keeps coils and protective styles intact overnight, preventing breakage and dryness.
Beyond Curl Pattern: The Other Keys to Hair Type
1. Hair Texture (strand thickness)
● Fine: Thin, delicate, weighed down by heavy products.
● Medium: Versatile, holds styles well.
● Coarse: Strong but prone to dryness [2].
2. Hair Density (strands per square inch)
● Low: Appears thin. Needs lightweight products.
● Medium: Average fullness.
● High: Thick appearance, requires more product [3].
3. Hair Porosity (moisture absorption)
● Low: Cuticle tightly closed—hard for moisture to enter.
● Medium: Balanced, moisture goes in and out easily.
● High: Raised cuticle—absorbs quickly but loses moisture just as fast [4] (common after dye or bleach).
👉 For high porosity or chemically treated hair, use Yanibest Ginger Nourishing Conditioner to restore hydration and seal the cuticle.
4. Scalp Condition
Normal, dry, oily, or sensitive [5].
A healthy routine depends as much on your scalp as your strands.
The Air-Dry Test: A Simple At-Home Method
1. Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo.
2. Skip conditioner and styling products.
3. Let it air dry completely.
4. Observe: Is it straight, wavy, curly, or coily? How does it feel—fine, medium, or coarse?
👉 For the most accurate results, cleanse first with Yanibest Ginger Clarifying Shampoo—formulated to remove buildup without stripping natural oils.
FAQs About Hair Typing
Q1. Can my hair type change over time?
Yes. Hormones (pregnancy, menopause), aging, and chemical treatments can all shift your hair’s texture.
Q2. How do I test hair porosity at home?
Drop a clean strand in water:
Floats → Low porosity.
Sinks slowly → Medium.
Sinks fast → High.
Q3. What’s the best care for low porosity hair?
Use lightweight, water-based products and heat during deep conditioning to open the cuticle.
Q4. How do I care for high porosity hair?
Focus on sealing moisture in—leave-in conditioners, hair oils, and protein treatments. Avoid harsh sulfates.
Q5. How often should I wash based on hair type?
Oily scalp → daily or every other day.
Dry scalp → once or twice weekly.
Curly/coily → weekly or biweekly.
Q6. What products work best for Type 4 hair?
Moisture-rich products: leave-ins, curl creams, oils (like castor or avocado). Protective styles help too.
Q7. My hair is a mix of types. What now?
Very common. Treat each section based on its needs—lighter products on fine areas, heavier on coarse.
Q8. Does density affect product choice?
Yes. High-density hair needs more product for full coverage; low-density requires less to avoid weighing it down.
Q9. Can I type my hair without the Andre Walker system?
Yes. Observe how your hair behaves—frizz, shrinkage, oiliness—and adjust care accordingly.
Q10. Where can I learn more?
Consult a hairstylist who specializes in your type. Use trusted dermatology-backed blogs or peer-reviewed guides.
Further Reading on Satin Bonnets & Hair Care
1. How Often Should I Wash My Hair?
2. How to Fix Hair in the Morning?
3. How to Make My Hair Grow Faster?
4. How to Get Rid of Oily Scalp and Dry Hair?
5. How to Find and Manage My Hair Type?
6. Is a Bonnet Bad for My Hair?
8. Can Wet Hair Go in a Bonnet?
9. Bonnet Compare: Silk vs Satin
10. Satin Lined Beanie for Men, Women, Locs, Braids
Discover Yanibest Butter Satin Bonnet Collection and find the style that works best for you—because great hair starts with the care you sleep in.
References
[1] Michelle K Gaines, Imani Y Page, Nolan A. Miller, Benjamin R. Greenvall, Joshua J Medina, D. Irschick, Adeline Southard, A. Ribbe, G. Grason and A. Crosby. "Reimagining Hair Science: A New Approach to Classify Curly Hair Phenotypes via New Quantitative Geometric and Structural Mechanical Parameters.." Accounts of chemical research (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00740.
[2] Marina Richena, Alisdair Noble, Kim Parker, R. Bhogal, David Messenger, Stefan Clerens and Duane P. Harland. "Simultaneous morphological analysis of large numbers of hair cross sections as a tool for investigation of population-level trends.." International journal of cosmetic science (2025). https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.13057.
[3] Qili Qian, Yuanping Gu, Junyu Luo, Sijie Wu, JiaPeng Li, Jinxi Li, Q. Peng, Wenyan Chen, Yajun Yang, Jiucun Wang, Li Jin, Renliang Sun, Guoqing Zhang, Fan Liu and Sijia Wang. "Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting Hair Density in East Asian Populations.." The British journal of dermatology (2025). https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljaf149.
[4] Rebeca Mantuan Gasparin, Carolina Botelho Lourenço and Gislaine Ricci Leonardi. "Porosity and Resistance of Textured Hair: Assessing Chemical and Physical Damage Under Consumer-Relevant Conditions." Cosmetics (2025). https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12030093.
[5] T. Ju, A. Vander Does and G. Yosipovitch. "Scalp dysesthesia: a neuropathic phenomenon." Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 36 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17985.