WRITTEN BY: Zenani Sizane
Meet type 1c hair, the waviest of the straight hair without being definitely wavy. Type 1c hair is sometimes left out of the straight category completely, though it is considered more straight than wavy, that is because it can hold a curl, though type 1c hair strands lie flat at the root, it is more bendy from the mid-length section down. In this article, we will dive deeper into the wonder of type 1c hair, how to care for it and maintain your beautiful locks. I suggest you grab a pen and notepad for the gems we will share with you.
What Is Type 1C Hair?
The last of the straight hair category. Type 1c hair tends to feature hefty coarser strands that lie flat at the root with a few arcs and bends throughout the mid-body section. While it is still predominantly straight, type 1c has a subtle body to it with ends that tend to curl inward toward the chin.
Though type 1c hair has curl-retaining abilities and is less prone to breakage due to its beautiful thick strands, type 1c hair has its fair share of problems too. From frizz to flyaways to knots and tangles, there are a few tradeoffs to your curl type, however in this article you will soon learn to overcome these struggles unique to your type 1c hair.
How To Identify Type 1C Hair?
Many of us tend to confuse type 1c hair for 2a hair. Type 1c hair is predominantly straight, but it does have a few distinct features that put it on the border of the wavy hair types.
Here’s how to pinpoint type 1c hair
Your hair lies flat from the roots before taking on a few arcs here and there in the mid-body.
The bends are more pronounced and greater in number than that of type 1b hair.
The bends in your hair are a vague imitation of type 2a hair S-shape waves.
Your hair ends tend to curl inward toward your chin.
Simply put, 1c hair is wavier than type 1a and type 1b, which is why it can hold a curl pretty well. While loose curls may not be a problem for this straight hair type, tight curls may need more effort.
Differentiating Between Type 1c And Other Hair Types
As always, it's important to note that people rarely fit perfectly into a single hair type. Rather, hair tends to be a mix of a few similar hair types. For that reason, it can be hard to differentiate between type 1b, 1c and 2a. Experts stress that 1c hair is still within the straight hair category, so it tends to have more texture, body and bend to it than straight, full-on waves. This subtle wave, along with being particularly susceptible to frizz, sets type 1c hair apart from hair types within the 1 category.
Type 2a hair has a more distinct S-wave pattern to it that is far more defined than the waves seen in type 1c hair. When left to dry on its own, type 2a hair tends to give off that classic beachy wave look, whereas 1c hair hangs mainly straight with a couple of bends here and there.
The Challenges Faced with Type 1C Hair?
Even though type 1c hair is the most resilient type 1 hair, there are drawbacks to it. Aside from the usual straight hair concerns- think an oily scalp and flatness at the top, 1c hair also encounters several other problems.
Frizz and Flyaways
The coarse hair texture of 1c hair means it’s susceptible to frizz and flyaways than other straight hair types.
Too poofy
Even though type 1c hair lies flat at the top, it can poof easily from the mid-length down.
Knots and Tangles
Anyone with 1c hair will tell you knots and tangles are just part of the package of this hair type. Your thick locks easily intertwine into hard to detangle snarls, which makes hair brushing a challenging process.
Drier ends
You tend to experience drier ends as your scalp’s natural oils have trouble gliding down the mid-body bends to reach the hair tips.
How To Care for Type 1C Hair?
Good news when it comes to caring for type 1c hair, aside from the usual straight hair woes, the main concerns for type 1c hair are frizz and poofiness.
Avoid Over-Washing Your Hair
Avoid the vicious cycle of washing your hair daily and simultaneously ramping up oil production. It is suggested to opt for lightweight, nourishing products that will dial down frizz and dryness without flattening your hair or adding oil to the scalp. Type 1c hair can be easily managed, as long as you are gentle and keep it moisturized without weighing it down.
Dial Down the Frizz and Dryness
The good news when it comes to handling frizz and dryness that is plaquing your hair is that it can be easily managed with the right products. The first thing is to choose only lightweight products to avoid flat hair and an oily scalp, as those are the two things straight hair types are susceptible to, so stay away from products that weigh down your hair like heavy oils and mousses.
Lightweight Leave-in Conditioner
In order to protect your hair against all-day frizz, it is recommended to use an ultra-lightweight leave-in conditioner to apply on the drier areas of your hair, like the ends of your hair shaft, and you do not need to worry about deflating your hair’s natural volume.
Avoid Hard Water
Your shower water may be the obstacle to softer, smoother 1c hair, because hard water is brimming hair-damaging minerals and metals, which your hair fibers end up absorbing too much of. Hard shower water can still impact your hair type over time. Thankfully the solution is pretty simple, all you need to do is a filtered showerhead to eliminate the nasties.
Silicone Based Hair Serum
To take hydration up a notch, add a silicone-based serum to your haircare arsenal. Why silicone? when it is advised against for other hair types like 1a and 1b. Well, silicone is the ingredient to promote shine and smoothness, which are two things your type 1c hair is in need of. Research shows that silicones smooth out raised hair cuticles to prevent heat damage like frizz and flyaways. This makes hair serums great 2 in 1 haircare and styling products, especially if you regularly expose your hair to the blow dryer and curling iron.
Minimize Knots, Tangles and Snarls
Hair brushing is probably on your top 10 list of to avoid when it comes to your type 1c hair, but you can try to minimize the pain with a few tweaks to your lifestyle routine. You can switch out your cotton pillowcases for satin or silk ones. Their primary smooth surface means less friction when you fan out your hair while sleeping. You may also want to use a microfiber towel instead of the usual cotton ones, the same friction reducing rationale applies here.
What Are the Best Hairstyles and Cuts for Type 1C Hair?
Type 1c hair is generally easier to maintain when it is longer because the added weight helps to minimize frizz.
Long Hairstyles
Long Hair
Length looks great on your hair type, so letting your hair grow as long as you can, will elevate your beautiful straight hair with this simply elegant hairstyle. Especially when you take heed to get your regular trims, as this helps keep dry and split ends under control.
Voluminous Ponytail
This style accentuates your hair’s natural volume and body, making it look healthy and bouncy. Smoothing your hair back into a ponytail will also hide any frizzy flyaways.
Mid-length Hairstyles
Soft Waves
Because your hair already has some waves, soft waves are a great way to accentuate them. This hairstyle is an easy and fun go-to hairstyle for type 1c hair.
Half Up, Half Down
The half up, half down hairstyle is the more common hairstyle among the straight-hair types, but it is still a look that is not only practical for any occasion, but you can still have much more fun in how you style it.
The Wet Look
Not everyone can pull off this look, and that’s why it is the best look for type 1c hair. It is a look that keeps frizz at bay, and it is just a fun, luxurious look that you can pull off effortlessly.
Short Hairstyles
Shag Cut
The Shag enhances the natural texture of the course 1c hair by giving it lots of movement. They distribute the volume by reducing the bulk from the thick hair and are very easy to style. The shag is an excellent cut for low-maintenance days.
Blunt Cut
One of the best looks that can be spotted on type 1c hair is the blunt cut, because it exudes a nonchalant, confidant vibe that is ideal for any bold soul. And it is the best hairstyle that creates an effortless tousled look.
The Best Products for Type 1C Hair?
Frizz Control Shampoo
Type 1c hair is prone to dryness, so it is essential to use products that won’t strip the hair of its natural oils, that is why shampoos that are free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals are recommended.
Lightweight Conditioner
A well formulated conditioner for type 1c hair can tame the most unruly and frizzy hair which will be soft and gently nourish the strands while leaving them to be shinier, softer and manageable. A good conditioner should work deeply to penetrate the hair shafts and keep the hair healthy with each use.
Nourishing Hair Mask
Hair Masks are a must for your hair type. They help keep type 1c hair hydrated without making it heavy, in addition as your hair grows longer, type 1c hair tends to become drier at the ends. This is why a conditioning and nourishing hair mask is an essential part of caring for your hair.
Serum
Lightweight serums can be applied from the mid-shafts to the ends of the hair to prevent frizz and brittleness without weighing down the hair. Applying a lightweight serum overnight will help to nourish and often your hair and simultaneously fight frizz without weighing your hair down.
Ingredients to Look for and Ingredients to Avoid
Ingredients to Look For
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains several essential properties that promote healthy hair growth and impacts the texture of your hair. Aloe vera easily permeates into the hair strands and maintains the moisture level of the scalp and due to its moisturizing properties, it can help to straighten your hair naturally.
Coconut Oil
Applying coconut oil to your 1c hair will make your hair appear shiny and not coarse and regular application may also help prevent split ends. Coconut oil also has moisture-retaining properties that allow it to penetrate the strands more deeply to strengthen and nourish hair.
Argan Oil
Argan oil in its purest form is known to do wonders for type 1c hair, especially when it comes to taming frizz and breakage. Argan oil helps to keep moisture locked in the hair, combatting the main source of frizzy hair.
Keratin
In hair care products, keratin works by smoothing down the cells that overlap in hair strands as the hair cuticles absorb the protein, resulting in fuller, smoother and softer hair. The use of keratin also makes hair less frizzy and makes it appear straighter.
Ingredients to Avoid
Sulfates
Sulfates are added in shampoos and other hair products to wash the hair thoroughly clean, and it does a good job, however many find that using shampoo and conditioners that contain sulfates leave their hair feeling dry and coarse.
Heavy Oils
Oils are great for your hair, but those with straight thin hair, should be cautious when it comes to oils with a thicker, more dense consistency as they will weigh down your hair.
Recommended Hair Care Routine for Type 1C Hair?
Shampoo
It is important not to over wash your hair, as this will do more harm than good for your 1c hair. It is recommended to wash your hair at least 2-3 times a week. There are many shampoos in the market but for your hair, a gentle sulfate-free clarifying shampoo is recommended, as it will help with build-up without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Conditioner
When it comes to conditioning 1c hair, it is vital to note that, you should seek out light-weight hair conditioners that aren’t going to weigh your strands down and then to also condition your hair from the mid-lengths down and avoid the roots.
Drying
Air-drying your hair is always the way to go, however in an event that you should want to use heat, make sure you first apply a heat-protectant and then lower the settings of your heating tool, to minimize heat damage at all costs.
Trimming
It is important not to overlook the effects of trimming your hair. Trimming your hair is important for your locks because this is what keeps split ends away and helps your hair to grow evenly and minimizes damage. It is recommended to get a trim every 6-8 weeks.
Overnight Care
What you do at night with your hair will determine the outcomes of your next day when it comes to styling your hair for the day. The first thing that is recommended for overnight care of 1c hair is to invest in a quality silk/satin pillowcase, this is going to help with less friction of the hair which will tame frizz. The second thing is to avoid tight hairstyles at night, this will only cause breakage which you don’t want.
Detangling and Styling
When it comes to detangling, the tools and techniques used are essential, as they can make or break your hair. Wide-tooth combs and soft bristle brushes are best to detangle your hair gently. When detangling, start from the ends and work your way up to prevent breakage and avoid brushing your hair excessively as they will stimulate production of sebum and make your hair appear greasy.
Keep simple when styling type 1c hair, avoid hairstyles that require excessive pulling and tension, this will lead to breakage. Avoid weighing down your hair by styling your hair with lightweight products and reduce the frequency of heat styling your hair.
Mistakes to Avoid With 1C Hair?
Over washing your hair
Over washing your hair will not make your hair squeaky clean as you would anticipate, it is going to rather strip your hair of its natural oils and put your scalp into a panic mode which will result in an overproduction of sebum.
Never sleep with wet hair
This just goes for anyone, you should never go to bed with wet hair, but for type 1c it is especially crucial because you are more prone to frizz than people with other hair types, that means sleeping with wet hair will make it worse.
Avoid Sulfates
Many people already avoid sulfates, but if you do not already know, sulfates are said to be quiet harsh on your hair, yes it is true they do a good job and cleaning your hair, but the downside of that is that, they then strip your hair of its natural oils, and for type 1c hair that can actually flare up an oily scalp and greasier hair.
Lifestyle Habits for Healthier Type 1C Hair?
There are plenty of habits you can adopt for great healthy hair, however it is not the perfect hair care routine that is going to help your hair thrive, a general healthy lifestyle plays a part in how you take care of your hair. Here are some important lifestyle habits that will contribute to your hair being healthy and growing.
A Balanced Diet
Eating the right kinds of foods can make all the difference in ensuring your hair grows longer and stronger, because most foods contain the right kinds of nutrients like vitamins and minerals that the hair needs like biotin which is found in eggs, fish, nuts and certain vegetables like sweet potatoes.
Drink Water
Water hydrates your hair and provides essential minerals to hair follicles, creating an ideal environment for hair growth. It is said that water makes up 25% of the weight of a single strand of hair, that means drinking enough water every single day will help the strength of your hair and increase growth. Our hair needs moisture and when you are dehydrated, the hair growth process slows down.
Sun Protection
Like your skin, your hair also needs UV protection. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause your hair to become dry, dull, brittle and prone to split ends. The best way to protect your hair from sun damage is to invest in a good hair sunscreen and wear a hat when outdoors.
Exercise
Exercising regularly not only helps keep your body healthy, but it also helps promote healthy hair. When we exercise blood circulation increases, allowing for more nutrients and oxygen to get to your scalp. The simulated blood flow at the scalp will enrich your hair follicles with everything they need for added strength and health.
Relax
Stress impacts your hair negatively; it can put your body under immense strain that you can experience excessive hair loss and many other hair related symptoms. it is important to evaluate and regulate the many stressors you may experience in your daily life and be intentional in making time to unwind and de-stress or even eliminate certain stressors. this will improve your quality of life and the health of your precious hair.
Conclusion
I will always emphasize how precious your hair is, it does not matter the many problems you may experience with and how frustrating it can be caring for it. It is a gift from our Heavenly Father, and all we need is the right kind of knowledge and wisdom and understanding to know how to care for our hair with love and tenderness. Speak life over your crown and watch it bloom like a beautiful plant.
Matthew 10:30
"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
Reference
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