I think the reason why the hair typing system is flawed is due to the lack of differentiating between silky & cottony textures within each group possessing the same curl/coil size/diameter. It leads to so much confusion. This thread and countless other ones just like it is a clear indication that the system is flawed....I want to dismiss the system but I know it has helped me so I don't think we should ignore it...
As for the type 3-type 4 confusion....
All the pics that represent the 3 category in the hair typing system show well defined large-medium curls/coils and silky shiny slick back edges- but do not take into consideration the cottony/frizzy curls of the
same size that are not silky and well defined..So anyone w/ a cottony texture who does not see their hair represented in the pics
assumes they must be 4B since the basic definition of 4B is hair having no real coil/curl definition/clumping from root to tip, etc. I've seen countless individuals who claim to have 4B hair in videos/pics due to the fact their hair does not naturally clump when wet, however the diameter of their curl was definitely larger than the tight small coils of those w/ 4B hair
Just b/c the hair can easily take on the “afro” appearance does not mean it is in fact 4B.
As a true 4B (according to the same flawed typing system) I can usually tell when someone claims 4B but is actually misled and really a 3B/3C/4A, etc. Every single time I come across one I totally understand why…they typically have more of a cottony frizzy texture than a silky defined texture. However I see them in videos parting, combing, brushing & washing their hair in a way they would
not be able to do if their coils were actually tight & small like mine.
All that said I really don’t know HOW or IF the typing system should be changed or if we should come up w/ new categories to include both silky & cottony…I don’t even know if that would really benefit anybody but it might- just MIGHT help with all the confusion.
Some people may think the typing system doesn't matter but I will say that it wasn't until I found those w/ a similar texture that I was able to figure out how to
handle my hair properly from the way I wash to the way I style, etc. When I tried to follow the regimens of those w/ a looser coil/curl pattern, my hair suffered tremendously (case in point: doing wash n go's - big no no for my hair and most 4B's I know, but a LOT of those in the 3 category thrive from them). Therefore, it is really important to find others with your hair type, especially when you are new.
I can't say I found these individuals b/c of the typing system though .. honestly I just looked at pics/videos and found my hair twins/cousins that way LOL!
In terms of products- the advice I have received from those in the 3 & 4 category have been helpful--honestly I think product preference has more to do w/ personal hair porosity, protein/moisture needs, personal lifestyle, etc and less to do with hair type...
BTW I too am interested to see if there is a such thing as a SILKY 4B – I’ve never come across one and I don’t see how it could be possible w/ such tight-small coils, but hey, who knows?
BlackMasterPiece kudos for providing answers for those who question their hair type