4c natural hair is the kinkiest hair texture in the type 4 hair family. It is more coily and springy than type 4a. It also has an “s” pattern, making it different from the “z” pattern of 4b hair.
However, 4c natural hair does not always have a defined shape or curl pattern. This hair texture is best known for its delicate nature and need for additional tender, loving care.
What is 4c Natural Hair?
4c natural hair is known for its tight curls and kinky texture. Some women with this type of hair have a curl definition, while others do not.
This hair texture is very delicate in nature. You can find 4c hair as fine, delicate strands, or as wiry and coarse. It is also known for its shrinkage and can shrink up to 75 percent of its length.
Three Tips for Tackling 4c Hair
4c natural hair breaks if you don’t maintain it well, so it is vital to learn how to care for it. Try to embrace your hair in its natural state, whether you recently did the big chop or you’re transitioning from relaxed hair.
Here are three useful tips to help you maintain your hair and grow beautiful, long curls.
Want to begin minimizing breakage? It’ll start with how you maintain your hair.
- Resist the urge to comb your hair when it’s dry, It’s best to comb your hair when it’s soaking wet with conditioner to give you slip. The best approach is to section your hair and detangle under running cool water or have a mixture of water and conditioner, but make sure your hair is dripping wet.
- You could also use a hair product like
Kinky Curly Knot Today. Formulas like this will give your hair better slip and help you avoid tangled hair. Having good slip means your hair will detangle faster and the curls will slide apart without clinging to each other.
- Avoid using small tooth combs. They might be perfect for making parts, but they’ll wreak havoc on your strands. Opt for a wide-tooth comb or use your fingers to detangle your hair instead.
- Don’t use a brush on 4c hair. Brushes pull your hair strands, causing split ends and breakage. Even using a boar brush to neaten your nape and edges could result in thinning hair over time. Who wants thin edges?
Developing a Regime for 4c Natural Hair
The best way to maintain your 4c natural hair is to develop a routine. This will help your hair remain healthy, moisturized and ready to grow.
Develop a Daily Moisturizing Routine
One of the most helpful strategies for maintaining 4c hair is to use the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method. Here’s what to do:
- Spritz your hair with water or a leave-in conditioner then add an oil such as Butta Butta Cream. This combo will lock in moisture.
- Follow with a cream such as
TGIN daily moisturizer. This method of moisturizing your hair is known as the LOC method. It seals in moisture and is a crucial step for women with 4c natural hair. - Pull your hair into a loose ponytail or pineapple. Then wrap your hair with a satin bonnet or scarf. Wearing this extra protection will help the hair to retain hair moisture at night. I follow this routine every week and this has helped me to achieve moisturized healthy hair. Rarely is my hair dry.
If you are currently wearing a protective style, be sure to moisturize your hair daily or every other day.
Co-washing Your Hair
Co-washing, short for conditioner-wash, is a crucial step toward having healthy hair. Shampoo can strip the scalp and hair of natural moisture, so you should try to limit shampoo washing.
Try washing your hair with conditioner only. You’ll gently cleanse the hair of product build up while still maintaining moisture. Many women with 4c natural hair co-wash their hair weekly. When I co-wash my waist length hair I tend to reach for Herbal essence Hello Hydration. I don’t use this product by its self; I’ve added in jojoba oil and 
avocado oil, and 
vitamin E to the conditioner.
Washing Your Hair with Shampoo
You still need to use shampoo to thoroughly cleanse the hair, it’s best to use a sulfate-free moisture rich shampoo such as 
TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate free shampoo.
Be sure to follow all shampoos with a deep conditioning treatment, like 
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque.
Conditioning Your Hair
You need to deep condition if you want to have healthy, long curls. Why? When you condition your hair, you are replacing much-needed moisture into your hair and scalp.
Follow all shampoo and deep conditioning treatment with the LOC method. This moisture technique will help your 4c natural hair seal in moisture.
This will help your 4c natural hair seal in its moisture.
Always remember to section your hair while co-washing and deep conditioning. Parting the hair and applying helps the product coat all strands evenly. A rule of thumb is to start applying your products to the ends of your hair first then work your way up. It will make it easier to detangle and helps combat breakage.
4c Natural Hair Styles
The best hairstyles for 4c natural hair are those that require minimal manipulation and those that retain moisture. A structured cut will be easy for you to maintain if you recently did the big chop or like to have short hair.
Three of the easiest low-manipulation styles for long hair are two-strand twists, twist outs, and Bantu knots. These styles are ideal for women with 4c natural hair because there is little room for the hair to become tangled and many opportunities to retain moisture.
You have plenty of options available if you want to add length by using hair extensions. Braid or twist extensions, weaves, and crochet braids are great protective styles that will help your hair grow underneath.
Be sure to pay close attention to your hairline when you wear extensions. Hair from this part of the scalp is very fine and can break easily.
Most methods of straightening your 4c natural hair lead to heat damage and dryness, but you can try a damage-free technique like the African threading method if you want a chemical-free straightened look.
The Best Hair Products for 4c Natural Hair
The best hair products for 4c natural hair lock in moisture. These products will help you detangle your hair, which is vital for hair that gets tangled and matted easily.
Oils
Coating the hair with oil is a crucial step to lock in moisture in 4c natural hair. Coconut oil is easy to find and affordable. It promotes hair growth and makes the hair stronger. You’ll probably notice less breakage after using the oil for several days.
Add coconut oil to your daily hair care regimen, to your co-wash formula, and to your deep conditioning treatments.
Extra-virgin olive oil is also perfect for 4c natural hair textures. This oil is known for its ability to soften and strengthen the hair.
Olive oil contains fantastic scalp-care benefits. It moisturizes hair follicles and reduces dandruff. It even helps to eliminate product build-up. You can use extra virgin olive oil as a deep conditioning hot oil treatment or add it to your daily hair regimen.
Avocado oil, which is rich in vitamins A, B, D, E, and protein, works to protect your hair from heat and sun damage. Add avocado oil to your shampoo to create a nourishing treatment that combats a dry scalp.
Mix oils with your favorite conditioner, to create slip and make detangling a breeze.
Shampoos
Check ingredient labels when you buy shampoos to make sure they do not contain sulfates or parabens. Your shampoo should include moisturizing agents to protect from dryness.
Top shampoos for 4c hair textures include 
TGIN’s moisture rich shampoo and 
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla.
Best Shampoos for 4C Hair
Conditioners
The best deep conditioners for 4c natural hair have moisturizers listed at the top of the ingredient list. Make sure the conditioner contains some of the oils listed above and does not list water as one of the principal elements.
All deep conditioners should restore moisture, promote growth and leave your hair shiny. Top conditioners for natural hair include 
TGIN’s triple moisture conditioner and Shea Moisture’s Deep Treatment Masque.
Best Conditioners for 4C Hair
Tips to Help Your 4c Natural Hair Grow
Kinkier hair needs extra care because the hair texture is more fragile than other types. This means that if you want to have long hair, you must work hard and put forth the effort to take care of it.
Kinky hair grows ½ an inch per month on average. You need to maintain your hair well and do protective styling to help your 4c hair texture grow.
Be extra gentle when you care for your hair. You don’t need to run out and buy the most expensive products on the shelf, but you should try to create the most cost-effective solution to moisturize, detangle, and protect your hair.
Finger combing while the hair is damp, is one of the best methods of detangling. This process alone will lead to much less breakage and will result in hair growth.
Protective hairstyles such as twists, cornrows, braids, coils and tuck and roll require less daily manipulation. Less manipulation will help you moisturize your mane, retain more length and reduce shedding.
Type 4c natural hair is delicate by nature. However, if you create a natural hair care regimen and rely on protective styling, your 4c natural hair will remain healthy, moisturized and bountiful.
Suzieq says
August 17, 2017 at 10:34 amThank you for this lesson. I’ve been struggling with maintaining my hair for a while I decide to go all natural. This segment help me to understand and plan my hair regimen better
Patrina says
August 17, 2017 at 11:28 amYour welcome.
Patrina says
September 12, 2017 at 9:51 amI’m glad it was able to help you. 🙂
Cheryl Theriot says
October 8, 2017 at 4:48 pmThank you
Patrina says
October 10, 2017 at 12:21 pmYour welcome
Topsy says
August 29, 2018 at 6:36 pmThanks for this tips. I like to do hkme remedy Avocado DC (mixed with olive oil and honey..it leaves my hair really moaitirised and manageable.
Patrina says
September 3, 2018 at 1:05 pmThat’s wonderful!
Ufonabasi umo says
September 3, 2018 at 7:19 amThank you for this article, i just read last week and it’s been really helpful, ever since I started my natural hair journey , I have been experiencing a lot of breakage but after I read this article I finally found out what my hair needed and my breakage has reduced a lot.
Patrina says
September 3, 2018 at 12:57 pmThat is wonderful to hear!
Jessica Hamilton says
September 11, 2018 at 5:03 amWhat is a good weekly regimen?
Patrina says
October 25, 2018 at 2:33 pmhttps://www.naturalhairqueen.net/natural-hair-care-regimen/
Temi says
October 7, 2018 at 9:49 amI finally understand my 4c natural hair. Thank you so much! But if I may ask, is the Cantu leave in conditioner an advisable leave in conditioner to purchase?
Patrina says
October 25, 2018 at 2:26 pmThat is wonderful news. I personally don’t like the ingredients. I love Kinky curly knot today leave in conditioner all ingredients are natural.
Ashanti says
October 7, 2018 at 3:37 pmThank you so so much for this! I am a 16 year old girl living with my father so I don’t get much help with my hair and never really know how to mantain good healthy hair.
Patrina says
October 25, 2018 at 2:25 pmYour welcome Ashanti. Check out my Pinterest page for natural hair styles!
Ruth says
October 11, 2018 at 7:46 pmThis had a lot of helpful tips. Thank you! My question for my step daughter, she has 4c hair and I’ve been wanting to find the best things to care for her hair. If i add olive oil to her hair and then a Shea butter cream would it leave her hair oily to the touch? What edge control cream do you recommend? (I just stopped her mother from combing her edges cause I noticed breakage and thinning) Also, how often should her ends be trimmed? And finally, what comb/brush do I need for her hair for less damage? Specific brands or where to locate would be helpful.
Patrina says
October 25, 2018 at 2:22 pmIt would be best to use the LOC method on your step daughters hair (liquid, oil, cream) I always recommend shea butter for 4c hair, olive oil is fine but if you are experiencing dryness you may need a heaver oil/butter like shea butter. I really like Curls control paste for edges. Be sure to use a boar bristle brush or a soft natural hair brush on the hair to eliminate pulling the hair out.As far as her ends go if they are thin, then they should be trimmed. There is no absolute rule as to how often the ends should be trimmed, you just have to look at them to see how they are doing every other month. Check out my Butta Butta Cream it’s a one stop shop for hair oil.
Tati says
December 29, 2018 at 1:49 pmThis is helpful. Just today I discovered my hair is a type 4b from another website and now thanks to your article, I am better prepared to properly take care of my hair. Luckily, I’m a fan of herbs and natural oils so I’m on the right step so far with my hair and skin. The only obstacle during my hair care journey will be me combating my severe chronic anemia and alpha thalassemia minor. I’ve learned that anemia can badly impact hair and may even cause alopecia areata (when hair breaks off in round clumps from the head). I’ve been experiencing similar issues with my hair but I’m hoping that this new discovery about how to take care of my hair could help fight against the anemia (and a possible alopecia areata). I’m taking iron and I’ve changed my diet so I’m not too worried. Wish me luck. ~
Patrina says
January 1, 2019 at 3:21 pmHello Tati, thank you for sharing. Along with diet you may want to incorporate castor oil with peppermint oil into your hair care regimen and deep conditioning.
Anecia Williams says
January 18, 2019 at 8:47 pmWith 4c hair, how long after you trim your ends should you trim them again?
Patrina says
January 20, 2019 at 12:38 pmThe typical time frame to trim your ends would be 4-6 weeks or as needed. If you see that your ends need to be trimmed more than that then it would be time to reevaluate your hair care regimen to see what is the cause of frequent split ends (is it the lack of moisture, certain hair care products etc.).
Kim Fitts says
January 30, 2019 at 2:47 pmHello I have 3c/4a,c coily med fine hair. I wear wash n gos mostly.wash my every 2 1/2-3 weeks .I use Earthtones Naturals hair butter and gelly. I hot oil my scalp and deep condition regularly. I use a diluted fermented rice water rinse with onion seed oil and some essentials and rinse it out thenI use a liquid leave in which includes aloe vera juice and rose water with essential oils. Over all my hair stays moisturized, but I occasionally get fairy knots from time to time in the back.In 17months it didn’t seen like my hair really grew that much. Maybe 2 1/2 inches, so I got it trimmed when I flat ironed it. Maybe I need to trim it often. I dont know, I will try that the next 2 years,but my hair is healthy shiny and curls are bouncy.i sleep with a silk bonnet and silk pillow cake also .Help,
Patrina says
February 1, 2019 at 4:23 pmHi Kim, to combat fairy knots you would need to add more moisture to your hair. You may want to try the LOC method by layering your hair care products and deep conditing your hair once a week. Go ahead an shoot me an e-mail to discuss your hair care products I have a feeling that may be the root of the concern.
Antonia Wilburn says
February 1, 2019 at 6:09 amHi. I have very kinky, coily hair and I am in the 4c family. After washing my hair, I have to try and keep it wet while detangling it because it will dry up quickly and it tangles very easily. For this reason, I believe I have high porosity hair. I have tried various detanglers. They will work for a while, but eventually, I have to find a different one. I also use semi-permanent hair color since I’m older and my hair is mostly gray. I would like to know what products (shampoo, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, detangler and cream) would you recommend? I currently use Jamaican Black Castor Oil on my hair and it seems to work well.
Patrina says
February 1, 2019 at 3:37 pmFor 4c hair it’s best to detangle under running water with a lot of conditioner that has “good slip”. If you don’t have one be sure to use a wide tooth comb that glides through your hair and doesn’t catch. I love using TGIN for my shampoo and conditioner, and deep conditioner. I use their conditioner as my detangling conditioner it really melts the knots. I also enjoy using Kinky Curly Knot Today as a leave-in conditioner. As my moisturizer, I too use JBCO and Butta Butta Cream which leaves my hair moisturized for a week! https://shop.naturalhairqueen.net/butta-butta-cream-lpnl/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=fs7
Patrina says
February 8, 2019 at 4:54 pmI’m trying to go natural but I needed to read a bit more about proper care for my hair type. Funny thing is I am a prior hair stylist but while taking care of my clients hair, I disowned my own. I have not worn my natural hair out since I was a child and as an adult, I am taking a leap away from weaves. I feel like my hair doesn’t grow and will be difficult to maintain. This was informative and I can’t wait to see how this goes. From one Patrina to another, thank you!
Patrina says
February 19, 2019 at 2:49 pmIf you need any hair advice please let me know.
Julia says
March 14, 2019 at 3:37 pmHi I have 4C hair and I am anemic I have a natural sense January 2011. My hair if shoulder-length. My question is why is my hair not growing? And I get a lot of split ends. Can you help?
Julia
Patrina says
March 15, 2019 at 12:52 pmHello Julia, Thank you for your question. In one word Yes I can help. However, I would need to know more about your hair situation to help you. I too am anemic and have to take a daily iron supplement. For your hair to grow you need to have a hair regimen that you follow. Please check out this article I wrote on how to create a hair care regimen. https://www.naturalhairqueen.net/natural-hair-care-regimen/ If you feel you need more assistance please write to me at patrina@naturalhairqueen.net
dee says
April 17, 2019 at 7:48 pmThank you so much, this was very helpful! My foster daughter has 4c type hair and despite receiving much advice on how to take care of it and which products to use, I must be doing something wrong because her hair remains extremely dry. Can I use this same routine and these products on her (she’s 16 month old)? Also, how often should I wash (with shampoo) her hair?
Patrina says
April 18, 2019 at 2:20 pmHello Dee, I would modify the products a bit for a 16-month-old. Go ahead and send me an e-mail of your current hair products so we can discuss how you should move forward. Thank you