Janet'
Well-Known Member
Morning Ladies,
Missjae09 and I were having a discussion about hair (of course) and we both came to the conclusion that texture has just as much, if not, more to do with success of products (as opposed to hair type: 1,2,3,4)...When I look at others with my same hair type and see what kinds of products they use- it could be a hit or miss...I moreso look at people with my same texture (strand size)- I have THICK hair, but my individual strands are medium- so, even though people have classified me as 4a/3c- I need thick, creamy leave-ins, oils, heck, even grease works- whereas my fine-haired 4a/3c friend's hair would rebel against all of those things...
So, my question is do you consider yourself fine, medium, coarse, or wiry haired? Do you think the individual strand size makes a difference in product or do you think that it is all about your hair type? Missjae09 found some info from Long Hair Community and I have provided it below for those of you (like myself) who might need a refresher...
"I am noticing several threads with people worrying about their "thin" hair — usually from the fines, or baby fines — and I thought a simple definition of the types and how they occur might be helpful. This is from The Hair Boutique and while it is not couched in scientific terms, it is a good, basic definition of the differences between types of hair. Finehairs, take note that our hair usually is missing the central medulla that other hairtypes have. This means each individual hair is smaller in circumference than the other types. It does make for some killer silkiness and gorgeous shine. Enjoy your type, friends! Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
If anyone has other links to add on the science of hairtypes, please post them...
Fine hair has the smallest circumference. Fine hair can be so soft and silky that it can actually feel like feathers. Unless it has been chemically altered to damage the cuticle, fine hair reflects light the best of the three textures. When it is healthy, fine hair will often have a natural megawatt shine. Fine hair generally has a much thinner cortex than other hair textures and generally does not contain the inner medulla like other hair textures. Usually only the cortex and cuticle are present in fine hair which adds to it fragility.
Medium hair is the most common type of texture. Medium textured hair is neither super soft nor rough to the touch. Medium hair has lots of body and bounce and usually holds either a blow-dry shape or any type of set very well. It has the most styling flexibility of the three types. Although most medium textured hair usually contains the medulla, cortex and cuticle structural layers, there are exceptions.
Coarse hair has the largest circumference. Coarse hair can feel heavy and rough. Exceptionally coarse hair may feel a little like horse hair to the touch. The outside layers of coarse hair are often overlapped at the scales and raised from the shaft. It holds many styles with ease but can look wild and bushy with the wrong cut or style. It almost always contains three distinct layers known as the medulla, cortex and cuticle.
Wiry Hair which has a very hard, glassy finish as a result of the way that the cuticle scales lie flat against the hair shaft. Wiry hair can also be coarse, medium or fine and usually contains all three structural layers."- MemSahib, 2008, Post #1- The Long Hair Community Discussion Boards t=7362
Missjae09 and I were having a discussion about hair (of course) and we both came to the conclusion that texture has just as much, if not, more to do with success of products (as opposed to hair type: 1,2,3,4)...When I look at others with my same hair type and see what kinds of products they use- it could be a hit or miss...I moreso look at people with my same texture (strand size)- I have THICK hair, but my individual strands are medium- so, even though people have classified me as 4a/3c- I need thick, creamy leave-ins, oils, heck, even grease works- whereas my fine-haired 4a/3c friend's hair would rebel against all of those things...
So, my question is do you consider yourself fine, medium, coarse, or wiry haired? Do you think the individual strand size makes a difference in product or do you think that it is all about your hair type? Missjae09 found some info from Long Hair Community and I have provided it below for those of you (like myself) who might need a refresher...
"I am noticing several threads with people worrying about their "thin" hair — usually from the fines, or baby fines — and I thought a simple definition of the types and how they occur might be helpful. This is from The Hair Boutique and while it is not couched in scientific terms, it is a good, basic definition of the differences between types of hair. Finehairs, take note that our hair usually is missing the central medulla that other hairtypes have. This means each individual hair is smaller in circumference than the other types. It does make for some killer silkiness and gorgeous shine. Enjoy your type, friends! Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
If anyone has other links to add on the science of hairtypes, please post them...
Fine hair has the smallest circumference. Fine hair can be so soft and silky that it can actually feel like feathers. Unless it has been chemically altered to damage the cuticle, fine hair reflects light the best of the three textures. When it is healthy, fine hair will often have a natural megawatt shine. Fine hair generally has a much thinner cortex than other hair textures and generally does not contain the inner medulla like other hair textures. Usually only the cortex and cuticle are present in fine hair which adds to it fragility.
Medium hair is the most common type of texture. Medium textured hair is neither super soft nor rough to the touch. Medium hair has lots of body and bounce and usually holds either a blow-dry shape or any type of set very well. It has the most styling flexibility of the three types. Although most medium textured hair usually contains the medulla, cortex and cuticle structural layers, there are exceptions.
Coarse hair has the largest circumference. Coarse hair can feel heavy and rough. Exceptionally coarse hair may feel a little like horse hair to the touch. The outside layers of coarse hair are often overlapped at the scales and raised from the shaft. It holds many styles with ease but can look wild and bushy with the wrong cut or style. It almost always contains three distinct layers known as the medulla, cortex and cuticle.
Wiry Hair which has a very hard, glassy finish as a result of the way that the cuticle scales lie flat against the hair shaft. Wiry hair can also be coarse, medium or fine and usually contains all three structural layers."- MemSahib, 2008, Post #1- The Long Hair Community Discussion Boards t=7362
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My strands are fine, sometimes I can't feel them individually, but my hair is thick/dense (there's a lot more of it than it looks). Keeping my hair moisturized is a big deal. This combination of fine thick hair leads to more tangles than you can imagine. Protective styles, while a great idea, give me the blues because combing out shed hair takes forever!
