How can I change or "improve" my natural hair's curl pattern?

24/12/2014

I have 4C hair and I love it.

I find it quite disappointing when I see some people with 4C hair struggling to accept it as something that is beautiful and deserving of admiration. There was a post a while ago on CurlyNikki.com where a girl outright said, and I paraphrase:

"I envy people with 3C, 4A and 4B hair because it's nice and curly. I hate my hair because it's ugly and kinky. I can't go natural because I don't want to show this mess to the world"!

I was stunned because clearly the girl hates her hair and secondly, by sharing that level of hate she makes other 4C girls start to think that there is something wrong with our hair. I just shrugged it off and thought, "Whatever", clearly there are deeper problems here than just hair...this brings me on to the all-important topic of curl pattern!

I get loads of emails from people asking why their curl pattern isn't "developing" or whether they should big chop again to get a "better curl pattern". Here are the facts on curl pattern:

Your curl pattern is determined by genes.
Some people's hair is curly, other people have kinky hair. You cannot change that.
Although you cannot change your curl pattern at all EVER you can manipulate it with styling techniques.
Curly and kinky hair types are both cool and beautiful.

What styles look good with kinky hair?
The classic afro, afro puffs and styles using scarves. Seriously, curly is not better than kinky and vice versa. Just accept what God gave you and learn to love it if you don't already.

If you have kinky hair how can you make it look more curly?
You can plait, twist it or use curling rods.

If you have curly hair how can you make it look more kinky?
You can't.

Hope this helps!

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Corinthean

31/5/2013 12:56:23 pm

I really feel sorry for the young lady who does not think that her 4c hair is beautiful, just more proof of how American mainstream media has killed the value and reality of true beauty....the love of self.

Samantha Morris

1/6/2013 01:01:51 am

Is there a another way to get your curl pattern back once it has been flat ironed so much other than cutting it off?

Heather @ Neno Natural

1/6/2013 01:34:58 am

Afraid not!

itsjusslee link

22/9/2013 02:56:58 pm

I don't fully agree with the girl who Hates her 4c hair buti understand. I am a 4c er to andi feel like Jan Brady. The awkward one in the middle. To me, my hair doesnt even have a curl pattern technically. Its not even kinky, cause kinky is dope. Its just all over the place. Not much definition. And I understand her frustration because im about to do the BC and I don't wanna chop all this off to look crazy. Lol

Mila

8/7/2013 02:23:24 am

Yes. You will have to cut your hair down from time to time to. A friend of mine had beautiful hair and then she decided to get it straightened a couple of times. Her hair got so damaged that every time she would wash her hair she would cut it. She was so disappointed. But she got her curl pattern back and she is so glad her hair is back healthy. But she believes that hair is hair and it will grow back plus it didn't take long to grow back. Cutting a little bit at a time worked for her because new hair was breaking through.

V. Solano

8/7/2013 01:20:45 pm

Try tea oil shampoo and apple cider vinegar (acv) rinse (one acv, three parts water). Use this treatment every week to two weeks- depending on how often you usually wash your hair. You may have to rock a lot of protective styles for 3 to 6 months, but your hair can bounce back. Remember to moisturize with water and the oil of your choice, I like Jojoba and/or grape seed.
'Hope this helps!

Vonni

28/1/2015 11:10:26 am

Look up MaxHydrationMethod and try it!!! It works on 4c hair...AMAZING!!!

Tee Tee link

1/6/2015 05:20:57 am

You can transition with regular protein treatments and trims to revive your curl pattern. Moknowshair has videos that discuss heat damaged hair and protein treatments. I had this problem myself.

Michele link

7/7/2013 11:24:23 pm

Wow, this is shocking considering the fact I have a 4C texture and I absolutely love it.
To keep me going, I think about my creator....even if I don't really like how it may look sometimes, my creator is a perfect being who made me perfectly, therefore...I love my kinky 4c hair...for more info on me...check out my blogs on www.noemi4sisters.wordpress.com
peace and love y'all

sharon Brantley

7/7/2013 11:30:02 pm

I want to stay natural for years. But in the state of Florida the stylist always try to incourage me to lock up. Not ready for that change. I want to imbrace my hair. I want to learn to style my fro and keep it healthy.

nubian

8/7/2013 12:29:52 am

If there is no damage, your curl pattern should come back after the first wash & conditioing. I've flat ironed my hair a few time since I've been natural and my curl pattern always comes back.

Tejwani Cain

8/7/2013 01:08:37 am

I was wondering where and how do I figure out what type of hair do I have? I always see comments about what type of hair different women have.

Kimberly Pope

8/7/2013 04:18:31 pm

SORRY TO SCREAM IT LADIES, BUT I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE,LOVE,LOVE MY 4C HAIR think, kinky,curly is some areas but wow is it ever thick and soft.I really wish I had taken the journey sooner, ( natural since 2008) and Dare I say it I LOVE MY HAIR, truly sorry for that young lady and the lack of knowledge she has.

lovemynaturalme link

20/7/2013 05:55:19 am

I love my natural hair!!!! I feel the same as Kimberly Pope, I only wish I could have done it a lot sooner. I did the "big chop" last month and I love my 4C hair... POW!! Never putting heat to my BEAUTIFUL 4C again....

Deanna Williams link

10/4/2015 01:29:58 am

I am natural and curly but I do a dry twist than take it out for that kinky look in the front. I love my hair. However some love my hair and some hate it. Nevertheless I love the fact that I can do so much with it to get so many different looks. If the other races are able to wash and go why can't we.

NubianPrize

16/7/2013 09:29:10 am

I had a co worker with an AMAZING super dense head of thick coarse 4b/c hair.. My hair is a fine thick 4a. She went natural about a year before I did & her hair grew like WEEDS! Much faster than mine because fine hair breaks more & I had to keep trimming it before I got my regimen straight. Did I have HAIR ENVY ? YES !! She has that kind of coarse hair that nothing can kill except maybe FIRE! The kind we all were taught to despise ( "straighten that nappy mess,girl!! ) & thank God we didn't have back in the day when I was a kid. The kind that makes FIERCE afros, big fat twists,& twistouts but has little to no curl pattern. We fine haired curlies have to be super careful with ours. She had over 20 years of relaxers; I had over 20 yrs of curly perms after one disastrous relaxer that took my hair out as a teen. My hair can't take relaxers. We've both retired but my hair is still a few inches shorter than her shoulder length mane but it's getting there. Tell that girl to stop hating on her hair! There are lots of products out there for all afo textures & I can honestly say that if they'd had them when I was a kid , no hot comb or perm of any kind would've touched my hair.

Heather @ Neno Natural

16/7/2013 07:05:31 pm

Thanks for sharing that story!

19/7/2013 05:36:18 pm

I absolutely adore everything about my 4C hair!!! Going natural over 5 years ago was the best decision for my hair. I went natural because my hair was constantly breaking off after every perm. As a child, my mother kept a "jerry" curl (I'm from the south) or box braids (as they were called then) in my hair. But I decided when I got "grown" and came up north to a big city to go college (1998 & after) that I wanted to be like everybody else and have straight hair. As a result, my hair would reach a certain length and then break off terribly because my hair was too fragile for the strong chemicals it took to actually get my 4C hair completely straight. I now joke and say that if there is a type/# kinkier than 4C then that is what my hair actually is!! But you know what, I love it now. I started the transitioning process in early 2008, and finally did the BC for my birthday in September 2008 (after 10 years of struggling with permed, fragile hair). Since going natural, I have educated myself on what my hair needs in order to stay healthy, moisturized, and growing; which hasn't been easy because their isn't too much out there on successfully taking care of 4C natural hair. But I didn't get discouraged that the info and styles when applied to my hair didn't have the same result as the 3C, 4A hair examples did, and I eventually learned and figured it out. As a result, I see and adore the absolute beauty and uniqueness of my natural hair. I wouldn't change my hair type for nothing; it's a part of what makes me, me.

Phoenix Rizing

19/7/2013 09:49:35 pm

I think I'm more disturbed by some of the extreme assumptions made about this woman's character in response to a comment that could have possibly been made more out of sheer frustration than anything else. I read the introduction

"I have 4C hair and I love it. I am a little disappointed to see some people with 4C hair engaging in self-hate. There was a post I read on CurlyNikki.com where a girl outright said, and I paraphrase:

"I envy people with 3C, 4A and 4B hair because it's nice and curly. I hate my hair because it's ugly and kinky. I can't go natural because I don't want to show this mess to the world"!

I was stunned because clearly the girl hates herself and secondly, by sharing that type of hate she makes 4C girls start to think that there is something wrong with our hair. I just shrugged it off and thought, "Whatever", clearly there are deeper problems here than just hair"

like ouch! Could her statement be called harsh? Of course. But personally, yours seems harsher. *'This woman MUST have deep seeded emotional & personal issues because she doesn't love her hair as much as I love mine and we have the "same" hair. So she MUST be trying to say anybody with our type of hair is not attractive. Whatever, she just needs therapy!"

Excessive much? Personally, hair is an accessory. And for me, it needs to be low maintenance. Doing hair is not fun for a lot of women just as doing makeup, or going shopping isn't fun for a lot of other women. It's a chore. I have been back & forth between relaxed & natural for a very long time now. Before the movie came out, before social media got natural hair revolutions & revolutionaries coming out in droves. It's great that there have been people who have come to love themselves whether they're in a natural or relaxed state. What's NOT great is Hair elitists. No matter which side you fall on.

In my personal hair journey, I came to prefer short & natural. Low maintenance. Long & natural was not my friend. 4 different textures (and a patch that was just PURE FUZZ, with 0 DEFINITION) Spending hours on end and a crapload of money I didn't have to spend on HAIR. And unless it included adding hair, any style done to just my hair didn't last long due to the clash of textures. & the general "crawliness" of my hair. Had some beautiful comb twist that I LOVED for...all 12hrs that they lasted. Given all that my personal hair saga entailed, and unless circumstances DRASTICALLY changed, I decided NEVER LONG & NATURAL AGAIN...EVER. And I immediately cut all of my hair off, much to the disbelief of many like yourself. I MUST hate myself because I didn't want to "engage". Nope, couldn't be further from the truth. My hair & I have been through lots together. Even sickness & health. I decided I don't want to be beholden to my hair. Whether natural, relaxed, weaved or whatever, if takes up too much of my time and/or money, it's gotta go. It's just hair. It's not what makes me me.

Heather @ Neno Natural

27/7/2013 08:24:38 pm

Maybe I was feeling particularly sensitive on that day, however, when I read the post it sounded more than frustrated, she sounded like she "hated" her hair.

Don't know if I'm a hair elitist but I am definitely a natural hair enthusiast especially after how relaxer destroyed my own hair over time.

Unfortunately or fortunately hair is one of those things people (employers, prospective partners etc) use to "judge".

Thanks for your in-depth comment.

My best
Heather xx

glovergirl

27/7/2013 11:21:35 pm

bravo to you heather for being open enough to allow opinions contrary to your own to be viewed and engage in conversation. Not everyone is willing.

Phoenix Rizing, your shared experience and perspective is appreciated as well

Marilynn Dawson

20/7/2013 01:51:38 am

Thanks for that post. I have 4C hair also and although I hate it at times, I'm embrassing it because that's the real me. I'm trying to be patient as I learn what to do with it:)

glovergirl

20/7/2013 04:34:07 am

I completely agree with india arie, "I am not my hair"! I have 4c hair I must admit there are times that I hate my hair because it presents such a struggle sometimes. Unfortunately, certain styling would be so much easier if my hair had a looser curl pattern and wasn't so kinky. But then there are those moments that I love it too.

While I appreciate all the great knowledge that you share, I must say that I disagree with your psychological diagnosis. To say that it's "self-hate" and there are deeper issues within that goes beyond her hair type is a bit presumptive. I get where you're coming from, but just as those who love their hair have the right to their feelings so do those who do not. I only hope that she finds what works for her.

Krissy

20/7/2013 11:19:20 pm

I also have 4C hair and honestly when I look at people with other hair textures, I don't want theirs. I love mine. Why?

I love the thick look it gives me, I love my afros when I wear them, how beautifully shaped my twists are and I have learned how best to handle this head of hair I was blessed with. This was not always the case at first but as I continued my natural journey, I just saw the versatility of this type of hair and I accepted what it will and will not do! I love my 4C and I wouldn't want any other texture.

Edda

10/9/2013 07:01:51 pm

I don't know if it happens to every one but, my curls get looser as they grow out. I love my curls and as for that girl or girls who hate their hair type "they first have to transition their mind before transitioning back to natural". After all its not about "what they think and say" but "what I Think and say"

Jess

24/4/2014 05:19:20 am

I am 4c since 2012 and its just painful, it dries quickly, it hurts every time i touch it. I'm just tired. I don't even know why i am still natural other thank the fact that it is full and relatively grows quicker. it is not for everyone. I am trying to love it but sometimes i feel like i am lying to myself

24/4/2014 11:01:08 am

Awwwww. Jess. I know it can be INCREDIBLY hard finding the right regime, products, & styles that work for some of our hair, especially those of us in the 4C category. I have a mix of 4B & 4C hair, but my regime is geared completely for my 4C hair because that's the hair that gives me ALL of my trouble. I went natural in 2008 and STRUGGLED BADLY for 3 years or so. But I eventually figured out what works best for my hair and most of the time it was totally against the popular suggestions at that time.

The things that made the big difference for me then and still now are also my questions for you:
* What products are you using or have you tried?
* What is your moisturizing regime?
* How often are you styling or manipulating your hair?

What turned the corner for me and my hair was:
* Products:: I did TONS of research; and end up cutting out all heavy and harsh products and products with mineral oil, petroleum, and sulfates. I now use easy & cheap to make homemade products, products from the "Shea Moisture" brand, and a few select products from the "Jane Carter Solution" brand.
* I found out for my 4C hair that instead of doing the L.O.C. moisturizing method that most naturalistas suggested that my hair needed L.C.O. instead. Where L=liquid, C=cream (w/o oils), O=oils & butters. The "O" seals in all the moisture from the "L" & "C". I use the LCO method daily. If I don't my hair gets dry, and if I miss more than 1-2 days, it starts to get brittle. So I MUST moisturize almost daily. but I'm fine with that because it's fast & easy. And I don't use a lot of product so that I don't have a lot of product buildup & heaviness. For my LCO, I use:: L=aloe vera liquid mixed with a herbal water or a leave-in-conditioner. C=a milk or masque product that doesn't have any butters or oils in the ingredients. O=a shea butter, cocoa butter, & essential/carrier oils all mixed together into a whipped butter.
* I don't change my hair styles daily or every other day. I do A LOT of low stress protective styling with easy, low stress styles mixed in for when I want to be extra cute. But regardless of the style I choose, I choose a style that requires little to no styling maintenance for a minimum of 2-3 days, besides moisturizing and smoothing.

The main thing to remember is that oil is always a sealant and never a moisturizer for hair. Also sleeping on Satin or Charmeuse Satin sheets, pillowcases, scarfs, or bonnets helps TONS.

I hope this helps some. Please be encouraged. You are NOT alone.

~ Ty

24/4/2014 11:01:24 am

24/4/2014 11:01:42 am

hillz

24/4/2014 06:21:49 pm

Hi jess

Don't stress it and don't make your hair a responsibility it will stress you out like no mans B/S.

The thing about 4c hair is moisture and protein balance. Because finding products that don't have bad ingredients is not so easy, find pure coconut oil(you can cook with it or eat it) Create a regimen that includes washing your hair twice a week. Many say that washing is harmful but if you wash with a shampoo or bicarb once a week and condition wash once a week it will do more good than harm.
Clean hair absorbs better than hair that is already has product build up.
Here is what you can do
*Deep condition weekly with a moisturizing deep conditioner
*Deep condition monthly with protein conditioner
*Seal with coconut oil when your hair is semi wet
*Use warm water on scalp and a 5 five minute massage before washing your hair.
*Always condition your hair after shampoo
Since your scalp hurts here is what I did to stop that on my scalp.
Garlic, Either crush or cut garlic and put in a bottle with Extra virgin olive oil. Shake and let it stand for 12 h before using it. Use it as treatment 3 times a week for 1 month reduce as it improves until you don't have to use it.
*Low manipulation is also important find styles that can be worn for a week or two until the health of your hair is good. Don't use added hair or synthetic, just plait your own hair.
*Give yourself a period of 3/4 months to study your regimen and see what is working and what is not, there after change or stick to that regimen.
* Comb your hair either when it has conditioner on it or when it is semi wet, this will ease the tension on the scalp from combing.
*Don't sleep with loose hair or wet hair.
*Listen to your hair and you will learn whats right and what isn't, and lastly don't throw negative talks and thoughts about your hair your body reacts to it. It might sound odd to some people but That's just how the body works, that's why when you aren't sick but you keep saying you are sick your brain starts sending sick signals to the body and you actually start feeling and looking sick.

Don't give up on your hair, just make it simple for you and her and every other things will just fit in.
:)

hillz

24/4/2014 06:22:07 pm

hillz

24/4/2014 06:22:33 pm

Ziks

2/6/2014 02:55:18 am

I have come to the conclusion that even within the 4c category, we all have different hair textures. My sister and I are both 4c, however, we achieve different results with our braid outs, Bantu knots, e.t.c. My hair is very coarse and cannot survive a day without water and Shea butter while my sister can go a week before putting in any moisture or product. Going by the pictures in this post, your hair is a lot curlier than mine and I can never achieve your curls even with 4C. So I don't think it's safe to assume all 4Cs go through the same kind of experience with their hair.

2/6/2014 04:44:35 am

The pics in this post is not of a 4C curl pattern. But I definitely agree that everybody's hair is different & will respond different to products, weather, etc. There is definitely a lot of trial & error, discovery, and personalizations that all naturalistas have to do pertaining to their hair regimen to find what works best for their hair. There is definitely no "one size fits all".

Deni

14/6/2014 04:22:54 am

I have 4b/4c hair (natural since 02/13) and honestly some days are better than other. It just depends on my attitude. I have no curl pattern just frizz. I usually just wear an afro and switch up my part. Ive tried product to define my curls with the result being a ton of shrinkage with no definite pattern.

Something I do notice is that my hair takes any shape quickly. I once sat at a doctors appointment with my mom and I got bored so I flat twisted my hair. 5 minutes later I had the pattern of the twist.

I don't use tons of product on my hair because it's grown so well and it's not worth the risk. I'm just embracing it. This is what grows out of my scalp naturally. My kinks and "curls". I'm fine with an afro lol beats staying up for hours every night to try to create some non existent curl pattern.

I detangle every night and once a week I do a full blown blow out. This texture has sooooo much shrinkage! But my hair has never been healthier.

Mary link

16/6/2014 03:01:10 am

Nice read. Interesting article. Keep it up! :)

NewToThis

20/7/2014 02:32:39 am

Good article but I disagree with one point (I think).

"How can you make curly hair kinky? You can't"

I don't believe this is true. I think people with naturally curly hair especially in the type 4 group CAN make their hair appear kinky instead of curly by simply combing their curls out. I have been transitioning for 12 months & the back section of my hair is completely natural bc I just cut it in a bob :) I've learned that I have very defined curls in most places in my head 4a & 4b. But the only way my curls are defined is if I leave my hair alone & allow my hair to clump together to form my natural spirals. If I combs the spirals out my hair looks just like 4C hair with no curls & just looks kinky.

Summer

29/9/2014 03:29:54 pm

I have 4D hair. I understand and can relate to the girls pain. My sister has 4C hair YES she can wash and go, I CANT. I personally do not like and resent that I can't do what my sister can do. Please stop saying she hates herself! I'll bet the main folks saying she hates herself DO NOT have 4D hair! I have zero curl pattern! I am 2.5 yrs natural and I'm tired of all the oils, the messed up pillow cases and not being able to simply wash, condition and go. It's not fun! It's time consuming and makes me miserable! I so want to enjoy my hair but it breaks off no matter what! I don't use a comb or brush anymore. I moisturize til its drenched! I'm just tired! The natural thing isn't for everybody! Our hair is so kinky it didn't even make the damn hair chart! So walk in our shoes before judging!

Marisa

3/4/2015 12:56:15 am

I find myself in this same position I'm 4d and have been natural for about 5 years but I find everytime I get to length of my middle finger my hair starts shedding and I cut and start over again. Worse I am in South Africa were you would ex pet natural hair to be embraced but it is not so I struggle to find salons willing to do my hair I even got told in one salon my hair is too hard for them they only work with relaxed. I took a pic online of natural tapered hair and the style I now have on my hair looks terribe because instead of saying they can't do the style they assure me they can but in fact can't. Unlike US we do not have many licensed hair stylists anyway can just decide to do hair it seems when they need to make money so no matter where I go I am dealing with amateurs the only people who seem educated are the hairdressers that work in the salons that want to relax my hair. I am ready to give up.

Summer

3/4/2015 04:27:43 am

F I N A L L Y!!!
4D hair does get better!!! Finally! I am now 3.5 years natural and the longer it grew the more manageable it's become. Yes, it was breaking off extremely bad while short. But there is hope for 4D hair. I realized my hair was breaking from vitamin deficiency. I was low on iron, b12, folic acid and vitamin d. Plus I was taking a hair vitamin with too much vitamin A (made by GNC) and it caused all my front edges to break off and extreme shedding throughout. Its very sad I can't say I enjoyed the journey, because I didn't. It sucked! But I'm glad I held on and didn't give up, because its so much easier longer. I'm at bra strap length. Hang in there Team 4D! I also kept my hair braided most of the time, to minimize breakage.

Mille

31/12/2014 08:32:23 am

I have curl pattern in the back of my head but the top of me head has no curl pattern what so ever, it has straight ends and I haven't used heat on my hair in over a year.. What can I do? Please help!!

Sharisse

11/1/2015 12:07:49 am

You may have more than one hair type. I have a number of types myself. The left side of my hair is wavy, the right side & back are curly, the front is straight, and the middle is very thick & course. It's also drier so imagine my dilemma when trying to find products. For the most part I keep it simple with low manipulation & find styles that blend/compliment all of my textures. I hope this helps.

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How can I change or "improve" my natural hair's curl pattern?

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