How to Treat your Hair Type
Photo: PR Photos1/8Fine Hair
Hair Type Decoded: "The single most important fact about fine hair structure is that it has up to fifty percent less internal protein than thick hair," says Teca Lewellyn, a Proctor Gamble Beauty Scientist. "It also has a much smaller diameter than thick hair, which gives it characteristics that you have to take into account when buying hair care products. First, fine hair tends to be more flexible than thick hair, which can cause it to fall flat. Second, it's usually weaker and has a lower abrasion resistance than thick hair, which makes fine hair vulnerable to damage, such as hair breakage, split ends, and lifted cuticles. Third, it's more resistant to twisting, so it struggles to hold curly hairstyles for any length of time."
Photo: courtesy of Pantene Pro-V2/8Fine Hair
Best Products for this Hair Type: "Overall, this means that fine hair doesn’t need a lot of heavy conditioning ingredients. Look for products that are free of silicones, which can weigh hair down. They should also rinse quickly and not leave any heavy residue after your shower."
Try: Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo, $4. Walgreens.com.
Photo: PR Photos3/8Color-Treated Hair
Hair Type Decoded: "Color-treated hair has so many needs. It's important to know permanent hair color removes the F-layer, a water-repellent protective layer present on the surface of the hair cuticle that acts as hair's natural raincoat, helping to protect it from damage and maintain its natural moisture balance. It also provides hair's natural lubricity and soft feel. Unfortunately, the oxidative coloring process can quickly and irreversibly attack the F-layer, which alters hair's chemical and physical properties. If not addressed, color-treated hair can have a dull appearance, be more prone to breakage, and isn't as soft as it use to be."
Photo: courtesy of Sebastian Professional4/8Color-Treated Hair
The Best Products for this Hair Type: "This hair type needs products with ingredients that can act like the F-layer to protect its weaker structure. Poly (DADMAC) is a highly effective ingredient that helps return the water-absorbent surface of color-treated hair to a more water-repellent surface similar to hair that’s never been color treated. It’s not a permanent fix, but it’ll hold hair over until the next wash."
Try: Sebastian Professional Color Ignite Shampoo, $15. Ulta.com.
Photo: courtesy of Herbal Essences5/8Curly Hair
The Best Products for this Hair Type: "To help your hair out, add moisture!"
Try: Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curls and Waves Shampoo, $4. Walgreens.com.
Photo: PR Photos6/8Curly Hair
Hair Type Decoded: "Curly hair's twists and turns cause cuticles to lift and weaken, which can leave hair rough. Due to the uneven shape of the hair fiber, the hair shaft can have 'high spots' where the cuticle is slightly lifted compared to the cuticle on the rest of the hair fiber. When the cuticles are lifted, the internal structure becomes exposed, leaving the hair weaker. Hair curvature is the term scientists use to refer to the degree of curl in a hair strand. Due to this curvature, curly hair starts with a large amount of volume, which may make it challenging to tame. Considering the 'high spots' that form on the cuticle layer and the relatively intricate, intertwined network of hair, each curly fiber can present challenges to its neighboring fiber, such as friction, which can lead to hair breakage. Knots form easily in curly hair, and may also lead to damaged hair and breakage."
Photo: PR Photos7/8Thick Hair
Hair Type Decoded: "What defines normal to thick hair structure is a large strand diameter, which indicates a higher protein content than fine hair. This also gives it a strong internal structure, making it take in more moisture from the environment. The increased amount of protein that makes this hair strong is also what makes it able to absorb up to forty percent more moisture than fine hair. So take a humid day, add extra protein, and what do you get? Frizz! This makes it difficult for this type to hold onto a sleek, smooth style. It doesn't bend easily, meaning that friction from brushing and styling can cause strands to fray, and you experience hair breakage and split ends. The feel of your hair may not be as soft and smooth as other hair structures because normal to thick hair tends to be prone to damage at the surface due to its many overlapping cuticle layers.
Photo: courtesy of Aussie8/8Thick Hair
The Best Products for this Hair Type: "Ladies with thick hair need all the conditioning they can get. There are several conditioning ingredients, like polymers, silicones, and fatty alcohols, which help thick hair stay moisturized, silky, and shiny."
Try: Aussie Moist Shampoo, $4. Drugstore.com.
