WRITTEN BY: Zenani Sizane
With your hair, there's no doubt that you have curly hair, however like those with type 2c hair you might wonder whether you have wavy or curly hair. Your type 3a hair is curly but with looser spirals than type 3b and 3c hair. In this article, we are uncovering the nitty gritty of your beautiful spirals and everything you need to know about taking care of your awesome curls.
What is Type 3A Hair
3A is the first of the type 3 curl patterns and the loosest spirals of them. Type 3A curly hair is characterized by loose spirals about the size of a piece of sidewalk and can be straightened easily. 3A texture is fine to medium, without much body or volume in your hair. Type 3A is less likely to be as frizzy as type 3b and 3c hair and can appear a bit flat at times.
Not all curl types are easily identifiable and those with 3A hair know the struggle. With a mix of waves and beautifully plump, but loose spirals, 3A curls candidates may often wonder if their hair is wavy or curly, and truthfully 3A can be a mix of both. Not all 3A curls look the same but there are some key indicators to point it out.
How To Identify Type 3A Hair?
If your hair is wavy and slightly curly at the same time, chances are you fall into the 3A category, 3A curls are large, loosely looped spiral curls. At the root of the hair, 3A curls may start with a wave pattern, but the mid-shaft to ends are loose coils and even though you have both waves and curls on your head, 3A curls are more toward the curly side than the wavy side. 3A curls typically have a circumference width of a stick or a sidewalk chalk.
Here’s How to Pinpoint Type 3A Hair:
Your spirals are the size of a sidewalk chalk
Loose, wide and loopy curls
Looks straight when wet but curls up when dry
S-shaped strands
Volume at the root with medium texture
You may have both ringlets and loose curls
It is important to note that you may have different curl types throughout your head, so it is also important to focus more on porosity and your hair’s overall needs than just your hair type alone.
The Challenges Faced with Type 3A Hair
A challenge people with 3A curls face is dry hair. All curly hair types struggle with dryness, because of the curl pattern of type 3 hair, natural oils from the scalp have a hard time making their way to the ends. Using drying hair care ingredients such as sulfates and parabens can dry out your hair even more. 3A hair is also at a higher risk of breakage and is often confused with 2c hair, though one is wavy and the other curly, they appear similar. Type 2c hair has a zig-zag pattern and 3A has an s-shaped spiral pattern.
How To Care for Type 3A Hair
Nourish before styling
To nourish 3A curls, always use a hydrating shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. Follow with a conditioner, focusing on the middle of the strands and ends. You can also opt for a deep conditioner when your strands feel particularly dry. Before styling your hair, use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to nourish and protect your curls. It is important to always apply a heat protectant whenever you are using heating tools on your hair.
Time your wash days well
For the best results, you may want to wash your hair every three-five days, depending on your lifestyle and the amount of sweat, scalp build up and dirt that may naturally accumulate on your hair.
Avoid chemical exposure
Exposure to heavy chemicals can negatively impact the curl shape and can cause some ringlets to be more wave-like and even appear fizzy. Harsh chemicals like parabens, and phthalates and dyes can all wreak havoc on your lovely strands and texture and weaken your hair. These chemicals that are known to mitigate moisture, increase dryness and lead to natural hair breakage.
Avoid overwashing
Washing your hair too frequently dries it out, it is advised to wash your hair only once a week most of the time. By washing your hair less, it will allow your natural oils to sit in on your hair and make your hair stronger and overall healthier.
Use a microfibre towel
When drying your hair, it is important to be extra gentle with your 3A curls. This is because your hair type is known to frizz up so being gentle to the touch will help avoid that. Using a microfibre towel after washing your hair can cause less friction and frizz to the hair, that will help avoid damage that is created by regular towels.
Sleep with silk
Your hair should always be protected with a silk pillowcase or scarf to ensure it does not tangle up while sleeping. The friction between hair and a cotton pillowcase can exacerbate breakage, dryness and ultimately damage. So investing in a good silk pillowcase will be a positive investment to make for your beautiful locks.
What Are the Best Hairstyles and Cuts for Type 3A Hair
Scarf braids
The best part about braids is that literally any hair type can wear them. By just twisting and pinning a silk scarf to the top of your head, then braid the scarf into French braids and tying your hair and scarf off at the base of your neck into a bun, can elevate your look and make it more sophisticated.
High curly bun
The difference between the messy high bun and the high curly bun is this bun is sleeker and looks more put together. Scoop your 3a hair into a high bun and mist your roots with hairspray and lightly comb your hair back before tying it off into a bun. And then you leave the ends free to give you a faux-bang look.
Bubble Braids
This is a great hairstyle for those people who cannot braid. This hairstyle works great on people with wavy and curly hair types. All you need to do is get some tiny elastic bands and find an easy to follow bubble braids tutorial and boom, you look absolutely stunning.
Loose, low curly ponytail
A diffuser is going to be your best friend for this particular hairstyle for this swept-back low ponytail. You need to play up the curl definition and then let some layers hang loose, then gently secure it below the nape of your neck with a ponytail cuff.
Pineapple hairstyle
Pineappling is basically the number one MVP on the curly girl list of hairstyles. This hairstyle preserves your curls while getting them off your neck and it is a perfect hairstyle for any occasion, including sleeping.
Undone
For curly haired girls, frizzy hair is not always a bad thing because you can get away with making it look good. When your hair is in its natural, undone and texture-filled curls it can look so good, with you even doing a single thing to it.
Pixie cut
Pixie cuts are not only for those with straight hair. Type 3A hair can also create the most beautiful curly cropped look with some gorgeous curly sideburns.
Curly bangs
This pretty curly hair style with bangs is a super cute and simple look for those with 3a hair. It brings the height to flatter roots. You need to get regular trims to maintain this rounded shape.
The feminine voluminous bob
A voluminous bob adds volume to your hair and gives you a softer and feminine look, which also gives your hair a lift and bounce.
The fluffy curly pixie bob
A fluffy curly pixie bob adds a soft, whimsical look for those with short type 3a hair. It also allows your longer spirals to shape and frame your face.
Best Products for Type 3A Hair
Sulfate-free shampoo
Sulfates can dry out your hair by stripping away the natural oils, which can cause frizz. Therefore, switching to a shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfates is important.
Conditioner
Conditioner is the most important part of your 3a hair care routine, as it keeps your hair soft and supple and defines your curls.
Deep conditioner
Deep conditioners provide extra protection and nourishment to your hair, which in turn makes your hair more manageable and easier to style and work with.
Detangling solution
If your hair is prone to knotting and tangling, consider using a detangling solution to make brushing smoother and easier.
Curl definer
After you condition your hair, you want to sustain curl definition all day and a curl definer is an amazing product to provide you with bouncy, frizz-free curls all day long.
Ingredients to Look for And Ingredients to Avoid
Ingredients to look for:
Aloe vera
Aloe vera contains vitamins A, C and E. all three of these vitamins contribute to cell turnover, promoting healthy cell growth and shiny. Aloe vera cleanses the hair shaft efficiently, stripping off extra sebum and oil residue from other hair products. Rubbing aloe vera into your scalp and hair and letting it penetrate your hair follicles could condition and improve dry, damaged hair. Using aloe vera is a great way to get hair that looks healthier, shinier and softer.
Rice bran oil
Rice bran oil is known to repair dryness, damage and brittleness, which ultimately contributes to hair’s moisture and softness without leaving a heavy greasy residue. It can also facilitate hair growth while preventing the premature development of grey hair and its high smoking point makes it a natural heat protectant. Rice bran oil promotes scalp health by soothing and preventing dandruff; by increasing circulation, it revives hair by promoting stronger and healthier growth.
Lightweight gels
Gel provides definition and brings out the curl pattern better. It helps form thicker clumps that offer more structural stability to curls. Curly hair gel helps add much needed shiny and gloss to your hair, especially when packed with ingredients such as flaxseeds and shea butter. Gels leave your hair feeling weightless and it will lock your curl shape for a long time, reducing frizz.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is particularly great for those with naturally curly hair. The rich fatty acid content in avocado oil makes it a great hydrating oil. It is rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats, making it one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize your hair, rather than coating the hair. Avocado oil is also rich in vitamins, nutrients and biotin which is good for supporting hair growth.
Panthenol
Also known as vitamin B5, Panthenol is an ingredient that pairs perfectly with water-soluble products and makes hair very strong and shiny and also stops your hair from flaking.
Silk amino acids
A frequent use of silk amino acids is good for your hair because it doesn’t cause any buildup. Silk is the strongest natural fiber found and is soluble in water, that means that it can help rebuild extremely damaged hair and help your hair grow longer and healthier.
Ingredients to avoid:
Petroleum
While there may be a few benefits to using petroleum in your hair, especially in terms of locking in moisture and taming frizz. It is advised to avoid applying petroleum directly to your scalp, because it will create a favorable environment for bacteria to grow, develop and even cause blockages, clogging hair follicles and even causing hair thinning and loss. It is recommended to rather apply petroleum products to the ends of your hair to reduce friction and breakage.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. When it is present in the air, some people may experience watery eyes, irritated nose and throat, coughing and wheezing and skin irritation. Formaldehyde is often found in hair straightening products or relaxers that contain and release formaldehyde, which is linked to many adverse health effects and cancer. It is important to note that even products that may be labeled “formaldehyde-free” may still contain formaldehyde.
Silicones
There are three types of silicone used in hair care products, water-soluble, non-soluble and evaporating. Water-soluble silicone can be removed from the hair with water, non-soluble silicone cannot be removed with water and evaporating silicone evaporates from the hair, after some time.
Silicone is not bad for your hair, but it can affect the appearance of the hair. Silicone creates a seal over the hair, and the layer can block other ingredients from penetrating the hair. Overtime can silicone build up and make the hair drier and dull.
Parabens
Parabens are a collective name for several chemical substances. Parabens ensures that cosmetics products have a longer shelf. They have the ability to limit the amount of bacteria growth in products. Parabens have a similar effect as sulfates on the curls and they can cause dry and frizzy hair and irritate the scalp. Parabens are slightly less aggressive than sulfates.
Sulfates
Sulfates are surfactants, which means they attract both oil and water. You can find sulfates in nearly every shampoo product. Sulfates create the lather in the shampoo and help remove dirt and oil from the hair. The two primary used sulfates in shampoo are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. The concern about sulfates is that they are too effective, they can strip the hair from its natural oils and proteins, and the hair will be prone to break. Sulfates can also cause scalp irritation like redness, dryness and itching. People with curly hair will want to avoid sulfates to prevent further drying.
Mistakes To Avoid with Your Type 3A Hair
Damaging hair products
You may be surprised to learn that many of your favorite hair products contain alarming amounts of alcohol, artificial fragrances, sulfates, parabens and other damaging ingredients that damage your hair. Look for hair products that limit the amount of harmful ingredients and try by all means to scan your hair products’ ingredients and opt for ones that are formulated with at least 80% natural ingredients.
Excessive styling
We need to learn to handle our hair with love and care at all times. That is why it is important to make sure you reduce the excessive use of styling tools and also make sure that you don’t always wear your hair in tight hairstyles. Those tight ponytails, bun, and braids can put excessive tension on your hair, which can lead to hair breakage, hairline stress and a sensitive scalp. Let your hair down and allow it to breathe and move freely, as often as possible to prevent further damage.
Towel drying hair
Towel drying your hair is extremely harmful to your hair. The rough motion of running the terry cloth fabric through your hair results in breakage, hair loss, frizzy hair and overall damage. When your hair is wet the strands are especially pliable to enough breakage when mishandled. It is advised to rather use a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber hair wrap and rather plop instead of rubbing your hair dry.
Poor diet
A well balanced with an adequate supply of essential vitamins and minerals is vital to growing and maintaining a thick, full, head of hair. Any nutritional deficiency can impact your scalp’s health and lead to thinning hair and hair loss. When your diet lacks an essential nutrient, your body diverts resources from non-vital functions such as hair growth. If the cause of your hair loss is a poor diet and nutritional deficiency, your will regrow once the issue is corrected.
Improper hair washing
We know that washing your hair too often can cause serious damage to your hair. Though there isn’t a set routine in how often you should wash your hair, as it all depends on your daily lifestyle, habits and your type of hair. Frequently washing your hair can strip your hair of its natural oils, and lead to hair loss, dandruff, frizz and other hair and scalp issues.
Dehydration
Dehydration can lead to hair loss, because proper hydration directly influences hair growth. Your follicles are the fastest growing tissue in your body, and when you are dehydrated, they, like other bodily systems, won't be able to function properly. Dehydration makes your hair look dull and less healthy and if you are severely dehydrated, your hair can become brittle, dry and will break off easily. Eating and drinking enough water is vital for keeping your hair healthy.
Recommended Hair Care Routine
Wash carefully
The first step to caring for your curls is knowing how to wash your hair properly and choose a shampoo formulated for curly hair. Make sure you choose shampoos that are mild, sulfate-free and moisturizing. It is also important to mind your water temperature and avoid washing your hair with extremely hot water.
Condition
Conditioner is a must for type 3a curly hair. Use a conditioner that is specifically made for curly hair. Conditioners can help prevent frizzy hair and add the needed moisture, so it is important to look for moisturizing ingredients in your conditioner.
Deep condition
Deep conditioning your 3a hair once every other week will give your hair an extra dose of moisture and boost your hair’s health and shine.
Style gently
Heat tools can make it hard to maintain healthy hair if you are not properly protecting your hair. Without the use of heat protectants, you may end with damaged curly hair. In order to keep your curls healthy and intact, make sure you style it with care. It is important to minimize heat as much as possible in your styling routine.
Leave it alone
The best thing you can do for your hair once it is styled, is to leave it alone. The more you touch your hair throughout the day, the more likely it is that your hair will become frizzy instead of styled. Therefore, try to avoid touching, combing and brushing your hair and let it be.
Lifestyle Habits for Healthier Type 3A Hair
Avoid restrictive dieting
Restrictive dieting can decrease resources and nutrients needed for hair growth. Hair growth is halted quickly when your body is placed under stress due to restrictive dieting and even after resuming a healthy diet, hair shedding may continue for a period of time.
Avoid heat whenever possible
Limit and minimize the use of heat styling tools such as flat irons, curling irons and blow dryers. Excessive heat can damage the hair shaft, and lead to dryness, frizz, and breakage. When using heat styling tools, use a heat protectant spray and choose the lowest heat setting.
Trim hair regularly
You need to regularly trim your hair to ensure that your strands stay healthy and don’t break off at the ends. It is important to trim off only the damaged ends and tips of the hair to maintain the length. The recommended trimming routine would be every 6-8 weeks according to your hair needs.
Know your hair
Knowing how your hair behaves and what its need in certain circumstances is vital, as you will be able to decode your hair’s needs and know how to combat the problems you may encounter before there is any damage or breakage.
Boost your nutrient profile
A deficiency in key nutrients can impact both the structure of your hair and its growth. Some nutritional deficiencies that may affect your hair include iron, zinc, fatty acids, selenium, vitamin D, E and A and folic acid. It is found that prioritizing your omega-3 and omega-6 intake can help protect against hair loss.
Reduce stress
Stress can have a serious impact on your hair growth if it becomes chronic or severe. Stress can cause your hair follicles to shrink and stop producing hair. It can also lead to hair shedding and breakage, as well as an increase in cortisol levels which can cause further hair loss and an imbalance of hormones. Therefore, it is important to find healthy ways to manage and reduce your stress, to ensure your hair is able to grow properly. This can look like increasing physical activity and eating more nutritious foods.
Drink water
Staying hydrated is important and it is a factor that can contribute to longer hair. Water is a key ingredient that supports vitamins, which contribute to healthy hair growth. Water makes up 25% of the weight of a single strand of hair. Drinking at least two liters of water daily, will help strengthen your hair and increase growth. Drinking water also triggers the energy that is transmitted at the scalp that runs to your hair’s end. When the roots are hydrated, this will eliminate problems like dandruff.
Scalp Massage
Keeping a healthy scalp is the foundation for strong beautiful hair. Keeping your scalp clean, while avoiding vigorous scrubbing is important. Massaging your scalp regularly with oil can boost blood circulation, promote healthy hair growth.
Eat healthy food
Eating a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients is the foundation of healthy hair. Protein and healthy fats like avocado, eggs and pumpkin seeds play a crucial role in hair growth and are great sources of the essential nutrients your hair needs to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the matrix of your 3a hair can be beneficial to you, as you will know what your needs are on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, which can essentially lead to healthy hair growth and a boost of shine and gloss. Try to simplify your hair care routine and stick to what works best for your hair and lifestyle. Remember that healthy hair begins from within and do not neglect your scalp health to ensure your beautiful curls thrive.
Matthew 10:30 “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
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