WRITTEN BY: Zenani Sizane
Type 2a hair isn't always effortlessly flawless, sometimes it leans more toward straight volume-free hair, while other times it needs more of a scrunch of gel and a curling iron to achieve even-looking waviness. Nonetheless you can certainly make your type 2a hair texture work to your advantage, all it takes is the right products and a few tricks to achieve the style and feel you want. In this article we will look at all the different ways to achieve the “perfect look and feel” with your type 2a hair, while all the ways to properly care and maintain your type 2a hair.
What is Type 2A Hair
In a perfect world, type 2a is always beachy and bodacious, it flows in the wind and has the perfect ratio of wavy to straight texture. It has an optimal dose of lift that makes hair look bouncy, not frizzy or fluffy, it is also not too flat nor overly voluminous. We may not live in a dreamland where perfect hair is an everyday reality.
Type 2a has low-density waves with a loose S-shape pattern, smoother feel and generally thinner strands. Type 2a has the loosest waves shape S waves of the type 2s. It appears straight from the roots for a few inches and then falls into gentle S-shaped waves. It has enough waviness not to be straight. While the texture can be medium to coarse, it is typically thinner in body than the other hair types and can lack volume.
How To Identify Type 2A Hair?
Type 2a hair tends to lie flat at the roots and starts to form waves at level. This gradual change in texture can make hair look inconsistent. The shape of these strands don’t take on the slight curl pattern of 2C hair types nor do they have the definite wave texture of a 2b hair type.
Most people with type 2a hair see their hair as mostly straight with a slightly curly texture, which means you need products like mousse or gel to give it a more defined wavy texture.
Here’s How To Pinpoint Type 2A Hair:
2a hair is characterized by a very loose tousled texture. This type tends to be quite straight at the roots of the hair, whilst the lengths form gentle waves.
Type 2a hair is the loosest of all type 2 hair types. Due to this the oils from the scalp find it easier to move down the hair shaft and so this type is less prone to dry hair.
Type 2a texture is neither straight nor curly, but instead sits in the middle of the two-ranging from loose loops to large S-shaped waves.
Differentiating Between Type 2A And Other Types
The 2a curl type has more definition than straight hair and has the least definition when compared to all other wavy, curly and coily hair types. To reiterate what was previously mentioned, 2a hair will have a loose wave with a subtle curl definition that has an elongated S-shape.
The Challenges Faced With Type 2A Hair
Sometimes type 2a hair can be temperamental. Here are some of the issues you might have with your wavy locks.
Easily weighed down and damaged
Type 2a hair is usually less dense than other wavy or curly hair types. This fine hair texture is what causes it to get easily damaged or weighed down by products. When you try too hard to shape your natural hair with sticky styling products, blow-dryer diffusers, or curling irons, you may experience product buildup. Excessive brushing your wavy hair to make it look straight can also lead to breakage and split ends.
Flat roots can prevent volume
One of the defining features of 2a hair is flatness at the roots. This is what makes the waves of type 2a less defined. It is also why 2a hair has the best amount of volume among other wavy hair or curly types. The lack of volume at the crown of the hair can further accentuate the inconsistent look of type 2a hair. To look your best, your hair needs a boost of volume that can match the amount of body the rest of your hair has.
Inconsistent wave pattern
Type 2a hair can have an inconsistent wave pattern that needs curl-enhancing products to get the look you want. Simply air-drying your hair without adding any product can cause your flat roots and irregular waves to look more messy than tousled.
How To Care for Type 2A Hair
Type 2a hair is quite manageable and low maintenance. There are a few key things you can do to ensure your strands are both healthy and look good.
Use a lightweight serum to smooth out hair
To get the smooth texture you desire for your 2a waves, you need to find a way to define and accentuate them while avoiding product buildup. This can be achieved using a lightweight hair serum. Hair serums help impart shine, smoothness and hydrating without looking overly oily or sticky. Coating your hair cuticles with just a dime-sized amount can help the texture of your waves appear more uniform.
Always Detangle
Type 2a hair is more prone to breakage due to how fine the hair naturally is. Making sure to use a detangler before brushing and styling is one easy way to help prevent breakage.
Maintain Moisture
Type 2a hair can also be more likely to frizz than other hair types, simply because there’s naturally less moisture stored in the hair. Be cautious about doing things that will further dry out your hair, for example, cranking up the temperatures on your hot tools, and reach for lightweight moisturizing products like a leave-in conditioner (particularly on your mid-lengths to ends) as well as frizz-fighters.
Avoid Heavy, oil-based products
Type 2a hair is somewhat still straight hair at the roots; it can easily become oily; sebum has a much easier time sliding down straight then wavy, curly or coily hair. Those with type 2a hair should steer clear of oils or heavy oil-based creams or gels for this reason; those formulas will also make the hair fall flat at the root, making it more challenging to achieve that coveted volume.
What Are The Best Hairstyles And Cuts For Type 2A Hair
Keeping your 2a hair looking its best does require a bit of “TLC,” though thankfully, styling it isn’t difficult. The key to an excellent shoulder-length style is matching your face shape, lightweight styling products and the occasional help of a curling wand or straightener.
Long Hairstyles
Deep Side Part
If your strands tend to fall flat, give them a boost with a side part. You can create volume in wavy hair with a deep side part and you will be amazed at how gorgeous it looks.
Soft Glam Waves
Out of all the other hair types that you can use, you are the most likely to be able to accomplish the glam waves look. Give your soft waves some oomph by styling your hair with a hot tool and some heat protectant.
Medium-Length Hairstyles
Shoulder-length Haircut
Shoulder- length cuts are the foundation of any great 2a hairstyle. They help add some body to your otherwise flat strands, while also highlighting your soft wavy pattern.
Beach Waves
When your hair has had time to air-dry naturally, they often fall perfectly, if you have the proper cut and use the right products. Thanks to this texture, your hair can be left unstyled, curled with some hot tools, or waved for a textured and dimensional look.
Au Naturel
For those who can’t be bothered to style their hair. Your type 2a hair often fall perfectly once they have air dried naturally. Go all-natural, you can use a curling iron or wave wand to enhance your waves a bit if they don’t dry exactly how you would like them.
Short Hairstyles
Textured Crop
You may want to give textured hairstyles, like the textured crop, if you are searching for the best 2a hairstyle for anyone desiring short hair. It is a basic style, which is good for you if you are not an expert in giving your wavy hair the proper style.
Fringe and Fade
This type 2a hairstyle is for you. The wavy fringe in this style will have more dimension and texture. You can also keep your messy and wavy hair organized by giving it more volume and depth.
Best Products For Type 2A Hair
When it comes to picking the right products for your type 2a hair, you need to be picky and specific in what you are looking for, as this will affect your hair goals. It is also important to remember that a little goes a long way when it comes to applying products to your hair. Type 2a does not need a whole of products for styling, however, focusing on volumizing and moisturizing products that do not weigh your hair down is a step in the right direction.
Volume-Boosting Shampoo
Volume-boosting shampoos are a must for fine hair. They are specifically formulated to give hair the most amount of cleansing, lift and movement as compared to other systems like those designed for damage and moisture.
Lightweight Moisturizing Conditioner
Maintaining moisture balance and restoring your hair’s pH are important for nailing a good hair day. A conditioner packed with hair boosting vitamins and minerals is best to replenish essential nutrients like amino acids and fatty acids that will leave your hair more manageable, shiny and vibrant.
Hair Masques
Incorporating a hair mask once a week is a great way to nurture your strands and bring out the best in them. Incorporating a hair mask that is formulated with plant-based butters and oils and is water-based will not only nourish your hair and scalp, but it will introduce the vital nutrients found in the plant-based ingredients, which will leave your hair softer and revitalized.
Mousse/Gel
When it comes to styling 2a hair, you can be more versatile than those with straight hair and using a styling gel or mousse can help you achieve the wavy hair styles like scrunching up some mousse or gel to enhance your natural beachy waves. Be careful with using too much gel in your hair, as some gels create flakiness and residue that cause buildup. It is important to find the right brand of styling gel.
Hair Oil/Serum
Hair oils are not usually recommended for fine hair, as they are normally formulated for coarser and drier hair, however there are many lightweight oils in the market that are formulated for fine hair like your type 2a hair, and they will do wonders in nourishing and softening your hair when used correctly. If you are apprehensive of the hair oil route, hair serums are also created for your hair, especially those that are water-based but still incorporate plant oils and silicones suited for your hair.
Ingredients to Look for and Ingredients to Avoid
Watermelon Seed Oil
Due to its light texture, watermelon seed oil makes it perfect for nourishing hair without weighing it down. It helps tame frizz and promotes overall hair health, which also strengthens and moisturizes the hair while giving it a glossy, shiny finish.
Spirulina Extract
Rich in vitamins like vitamin A and antioxidants, spirulina promotes blood circulation and purifies the blood. It stimulates the growth of hair and combats hair problems like thinning hair and baldness.
Avocado Butter
Avocado butter is great for all hair types as it penetrates deep into the scalp and shaft, which makes it an ideal treatment for damaged hair. It is recommended to use a very small amount for your fine hair and to only apply to your hair lengths. The best way to use avocado butter for your type of hair is in water-based hair masks that contain avocado butter.
Spinach Extract
Spinach contains significant antioxidants and minerals like iron, magnesium that offer a host of benefits. Vitamins like A, C, K, B1 and E are also found in spinach, and they aid in nourishment of your scalp and hair and promote healthy hair that is strong and less prone to damage.
Hibiscus Oil
Hibiscus is an overall great ingredient for your health, however, when used as a hair oil, it prevents hair loss and baldness. It is loaded with vitamin C, flavonoids, amino acids and antioxidants. Hibiscus is known to nourish your hair and promotes hair growth while giving your hair a smooth and silky texture.
Ingredients to avoid:
Mineral Oils
Mineral oils weigh your hair down and are hard to wash off without sulfates, which is another ingredient you should avoid, as it dries out your hair. Which is something you do not need.
Parabens and Sulfates
The two most villainized ingredients are parabens and sulfates, with reason of course. Parabens and sulfates are said to not be good for hair as they are too harsh on the scalp, and essentially causing flakiness and breakage.
Heavy Oils and Butters
Natural oils are generally good for your hair, however there are several oils that are heavy in consistency and create build up on your type 2a hair. This builds up will cause you to feel weighed down and essentially make your hair look flat and greasy.
Drying alcohols
Drying alcohols are the bad kind of alcohols in hair care. As mentioned, any drying ingredients are not the best for your hair, as they can cause an overproduction of sebum that will make your hair greasier and make it look flat.
Mistakes To Avoid with Your Type 2A Hair
Avoid using too much product
Using too much product in your hair will leave it looking limp and lifeless, which is the opposite of what you want and need for type 2a hair.
Don't over wash your hair
You might think that overly washing your hair might help with preventing build up, but what you might not be aware of is that you can actually aggravate the situation even more, as your scalp will produce more sebum when your natural oils are overly stripped.
Don’t wash with hot water
Washing hair with hot water can have several benefits like helping products penetrate the hair shaft more as the water opens up pores. However, it is important to note that hot water can also strip your hair of its natural oils which causes the hair to be drier which can cause itchiness and irritation on the scalp. It is recommended to use lukewarm water that way you reap the benefits of both hot and cold water.
Don't Go to Bed with wet hair
Going to bed with wet hair is not a good call for your hair care routine, you will only wake up with frizziness and tangles in your hair which can cause breakage.
Recommended Hair Care Routine
Pre-poo
The best time to apply your favorite lightweight oil, is 1-2 hours before washing your hair. This will provide moisture in your hair while keep your hair luscious. This will also be a way to keep your shampoo from stripping your natural oils as the extra oil provides an extra barrier to your sebum. The best oils for pre-pooing are Coconut, Argan, Abyssinian and jojoba oil. It is important to do this once a week or once every two weeks to prevent clogging your pores, which will cause build up.
Shampoo
This step is the most important step of your hair wash routine because you need to be precise in how you wash your hair, as this step can make or break what you are trying to achieve with your hair. You need to choose the right shampoo for your hair and also establish a hair wash routine according to what your hair needs. Lastly, you need the right kind of shampoo, a clarifying one for increased product build up and a volumizing shampoo to add volume and body to your hair. It is recommended to wash your hair 1-2 times a week and to avoid over washing.
Hair Mask
Adding a nourishing and moisturizing hair mask to your hair care routine is a must. Deep conditioning your hair is a great way to replenish and add moisture and a way to prevent frizz and tangles which ultimately prevents breakage and leaves your hair soft and bodacious. It is recommended to deep condition your hair once or twice a week depending on what your hair needs.
Condition
The purpose of conditioning your hair is to reintroduce moisture into your hair after shampooing your hair. The right kind of conditioner for your hair will add moisture back into the hair, it helps rinse out excess shampoo build up and prevent tangles and frizz. For type 2a hair, choosing a lightweight conditioner will nourish your hair and enhance your waves without weighing your hair down.
Hair Rinse
Hair rinsing is an overlooked step that has the potential to add shine and body to the hair. Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar or green tea is a great way to prevent product build up, as rinsing will ensure you get rid of excess product left in the hair and a natural way of adding shine to your hair.
Trim
Split ends are the enemy of hair growth, as they create breakage and delays the growth process. Trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks will help prevent split ends and help your hair to grow correctly.
Brushing and Detangling
How you brush and detangle your hair, will once again make or break your hair. This is a step you need to take your time and be cautious with. It is important to start at the ends of your hair when detangling and work your way to the roots.
Styling
When it comes to styling your 2a hair, you have flexibility in how you can style your hair. That being said, it is recommended to minimize the frequency of heat styling your hair, to prevent heat damage. Heatless styling like heatless curls is some of the options you can consider, whatever you do when it comes to styling your hair make sure you protect your hair from damage and breakage.
Overnight Care
What you do at night with your hair is important. It is always recommended to swap your cotton pillowcases for silk/satin ones, as they provide a smooth surface for your hair and will help prevent frizz and tangles. Swapping your rubber bands for silk scrunchies will also help prevent breakage from occurring. Avoid tight hairstyles and do not sleep with wet hair.
Lifestyle Habits for Healthier Type 2A Hair
Avoid Stress
When stressing you can delay your anagen phase and accelerate the telogen phase of your hair which means you will stay longer in its resting phase than its growing phase, which can at times even cause hair loss and damage. Try to avoid the stressors of everyday life by doing relaxing and calming activities like breathwork, flexibility stretches and spending time in nature or loved ones.
Exercise
Exercising is an overall good habit to keep. It is not only good for the body but for your skin and hair too. Exercising promotes blood circulation and flow, which releases certain hormones that flow to the scalp and follicles and help the hair to grow and remain healthy.
Eat right
A well-balanced diet is a great way to grow and maintain hair health. When eating fresh and healthy foods, your body receives vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids from food, which some contain the necessary nutrients the hair needs.
Know your hair
If you know your hair well, you will know what it needs and when it needs it. Your hair type is just a guide in helping you pinpoint some of your hair’s characteristics, but it is important to remember that we all have unique hair, and learning how it behaves and what it loves and does not like, you will help your hair to thrive and look amazing.
Environmental Factors
You need to take heed to the environmental factors around and understand how it can affect the state of your hair. It is important to understand how certain climates have a different effect on your hair and that alone can help your build a sustainable hair regime that will help you combat how your hair reacts to climate and even pollutants.
Conclusion
Everyone's hair has a mind of its own and we all experience several difficulties with our hair and could use with a little help every now and then. We are not all gifted with hands that make you feel wonderful, we love and respect each and every beautiful hairstylist that time and effort to make us feel beautiful. as individuals, it is important we gain enough knowledge, wisdom and understanding in getting to know and understand our hair for its optimal health. Each and every strand of your hair matters and deserves premium care
Matthew 10:30
"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
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