Article: Natural hair has unique characteristics that you should know about in order to take good care of your hair. People of African descent usually have curved hair follicles that produce very tightly curled hair, which can keep sebum (a natural moisturizer produced by your skin) from saturating all the way down the hair shaft. This can result in dry, fragile hair that is prone to frizz and breakage. Natural hair is prone to knotting when combed. Knotting also contributes to breakage, so some professionals recommend avoiding combing altogether for this reason. Never comb natural hair when it's dry. Natural hair often has a slower growth rate than other hair types. In addition, the highly curved hair shaft means that hair shrinks up as it dries; those with very kinky or curly hair may see up to 75% shrinkage! Natural hair comes in many varieties. While many care basics remain the same regardless of hair type, understanding your hair type may help you pinpoint what care and styling routines will produce the results you want. According to a very widely-used hair typing system by celebrity stylist Andre Walker, there are 4 basic types of hair: straight (1), wavy (2), curly (3), and kinky (4). Within these categories there are multiple subcategories, depending on your hair's characteristics. For example, Type 4 hair is generally split into three subcategories: 4A (spiral curls), 4B (kinky curls), and 4C (coiled curls). Many haircare websites and products refer to hair types using codes based on Walker's system, such as "3A" or "4B". The numbers refer to the hair type, while the letters refer to the hair texture. Natural hair tends to be type 3 (curly) or type 4 (kinky). Understanding your hair type can help you understand your hair's care and styling needs. Type 3 hair (curly) has springy, defined curls with a lot of volume and body. The curls are often shaped like coils, loops, or corkscrews. It can be fragile or fine, and needs moisturizing conditioners and treatments. Type 4 hair (kinky) has very tight curls with a lot of volume. The hair is heavily textured, usually wiry, and may have multiple curl patterns instead of a single dominant one. These patterns will often form a "Z" or crimped look. It it is the most fragile hair type because it has fewer cuticle layers than other hair types. Heavy-duty moisturizers and conditioners will help keep type 4 hair healthy.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Understand the characteristics of natural hair. Know your hair type. Identify your hair's needs.