The Andre Walker Hair Typing System is a classification system for hair types created in the 1990s by Oprah Winfrey's stylist Andre Walker. It was originally created to market Walker's line of hair care products but has since been widely adopted as a hair type classification system.

The typing system ranges from Type 1 (straight hair) to Type 4 (kinky hair) with subtypes within to better identify each person's hair type. With each type having their unique needs as far as maintenance is involved, type 4 usually is the type that needs the most tender loving care. 
What is considered Type 4 Hair?
Type 4 hair is broken down into 2 official subtypes and 1 "bonus" subtype.
 
-Type 4A hair is full of tight coils. It has an “S” pattern when stretched, much like Type 3 curly hair.
-Type 4B hair has a less defined pattern of curls and looks more like a “Z” as the hair bends with very sharp angles.
-Now, Type 4C was not actually apart of Andre Walker's hair typing system but due to the system's popularity, the natural hair community has pretty much given us Type 4C, which is the tightest coil of all the hair typings. (See chart below for reference)
hair typing system
Why We Love Type 4 Hair?
It's versatility leads to creating almost any hairstyle imaginable. The volume this hair brings most of the time usually leads to a royal crown worth staring at with all it's boldness and shape.
Why is Conditioning Regularly So Important?
Due to the nature that the moisture from the scalp finds a difficult time to travel down the entire route of this tightly coiled or kinky strand of hair, it is important to help deliver moisture to these strands in other methods. Conditioning and deep conditioning regularly makes healthy hair much more achievable.
Due to Type 4's high susceptibility to breakage, it is imperative to stay diligent about management and protection. There are so many things that can help this type to stay strong and flourishing, but the #1 want that this hair type craves is conditioning.
What you can Expect from Regular Conditioning Sessions?
  • Softening of Hair
  • Improves Manageability
  • Promotes length retention and thickness
  • Increases Overall Health
  • Strengthens
  • Seals the Cuticles
  • Restores Moisture

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