Woman with type 3 hair sitting wearing teal jacket.

All About Curls: Type 3 Hair

Type 3 hair is curly. In type 3 there are different subcategories to curls and ways to properly care for them. Different hair categories require different routines.

Keep reading to learn more about type 3 hair.

3A

Type 3A is recognized by its soft and curly hair. 3A hair is loosely curled with S shaped strands and are the loosest of the type. When hair strands are dry, the curls get tight. Although type 3A isn’t as susceptible to tight curls as the other types, it still occurs based on porosity. Porosity is the hair’s ability to hold and absorb products. To prevent dryness, do not wash more than once a week. Over washing will restrict the hair of its natural oils. Over washing is the act of cleansing more times than necessary. Using silk bonnets or pillowcases helps prevent tangles that may be caused by the curls.

Woman with type 3 hair in pink sweater and red lipstick.

3B

Type 3B curls are tight, voluminous, and springy. The curls are also ringlet shaped, representing spiral curls. Due to the types tight strands, it can get dry quickly and experience shrinkage. Shrinkage occurs when hair dries up after exposure to water, and it shrills down to a tighter and smaller curl. It also becomes puffed and frizzy. To maintain type 3B curls, moisturization is important. Curls will need more hydration depending on how tight they are. This can be done before and after washing. Less washing helps the curls hold their definition and moisture.

3C

Type 3C has the tightest curls out of type 3. Its strands are closely packed and resemble a corkscrew. Similar to type 3B, it can also experience frizz. To protect 3C, regular washing with deep conditioning and leave-in conditioner refine curls as well as hydrate them. Outside of washing, curl creams and hair masks help as well, as type 3C is prone to being the most dry.

Depending on the type, curls can get tight. This tightness along with other traits helps to categorize it. Finding out what type a person has helps them to maintain healthy hair.

For more informative articles, visit the Magic Feet website.