If you’re a man with curly to tightly curly texture hair and you’re trying to grow a healthy beard or maintain your hair, you’ve probably faced breakage, dryness, or patchy growth—and wondered what you’re doing wrong. Most of the time, it’s not what you’re doing—it’s what you don’t yet understand about your hair type.

Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense—and helps you take action today.

What Is Hair Typing?

Hair typing is a system used to describe curl patterns (I believe this might have started on YouTube).. For Black men or men with high textured hair, most of us fall into the Type 3C to 4C range.

Here’s the breakdown:

3C: Tight corkscrew curls with volume
4A: Coiled, S-shaped pattern that holds moisture a bit better
4B: Sharp Z-shaped bends—more prone to shrinkage
4C: Tightest coils, less defined pattern, most fragile

Each type has its own needs—but all require care that supports moisture, strength, and flexibility.

Why Texture Matters

The tighter your curl, the more delicate your strands.
The bends and coils make it harder for natural oils (sebum) to move from root to tip. This leads to:

Dryness
Breakage
Rough texture
Stunted growth (from shedding or snapping hair)

Knowing your type helps you choose the right products and methods to care for your hair—not work against it.

Growth vs. Breakage: What’s Really Going On?

A lot of Black men think their hair isn’t growing—but it is. The real issue is breakage.

Hair grows from the root—but if it breaks off at the end, you’ll never see length.

Signs you’re dealing with breakage:

Hair feels dry or brittle
Short, uneven strands
Beard patches that stay the same size

How to Prevent Breakage Today

Here’s what you can start doing immediately:

Moisturize daily (Use leave-ins or water-based sprays)
Seal with oil (Like jojoba or castor) to lock in moisture
Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb—never force through tangles
Sleep with a satin pillowcase or bread wrap to avoid friction
Deep condition weekly to restore elasticity and softness

One Quick Tip You Can Use Right Now:

Touch your beard or hair right now.
Does it feel soft and hydrated? Or dry and rough?

If it’s dry, mist it with water, apply a leave-in conditioner, then seal with oil. That 3-step combo alone will reduce breakage and improve growth over time.

Final Word

Your hair texture isn’t a problem. It’s just different—and it needs different care.
The more you understand it, the better results you’ll see.

Tomorrow, we’ll break down why curly and coily hair is more prone to dryness—and how to build a moisturizing system that actually works.

What’s Your Hair Type? A Quick Guide to Understanding Texture, Growth & Breakage