There are three different hair textures: fine, medium, and coarse. We know that a lot of people get hair texture confused with hair type and hair density. Just know that hair texture describes the circumference of your hair. Hair type describes what your curls look like and hair density refers to how many strands grow per inch on your scalp. So, let’s dig deeper into the different hair textures. ⇩

Fine Hair

Source: Hairstylery

Fine hair has an extremely small and narrow circumference. It’s easier to manage but it’s also easier to damage. If your hair is fine, you should avoid heavy products like heavy oils and butters because they will weigh your hair down. Try light oils like sweet almond oil, hemp seed oil, grapeseed oil, e.t.c. If you look up the comedogenic scale, you’ll find oils that range from 0 to 5, 0 being the lightest so you want to use oils that are 0-1 on the comedogenic scale.

How to tell if you have fine hair:  If you take a single hair strand and rub it between your fingertips and you can barely feel it, you have fine hair. 

Medium Hair

Source: Glamour

Medium or normal textured hair can use heavier products but very moderately. Medium hair isn’t as fragile as fine hair so it can be easily manipulated. Also, hairstyles tend to last longer on medium hair. Using lightweight oils and serums is okay but you can also use slightly heavier products like jojoba oil, olive oil, and any other oil or butter that’s no greater than a 3 on the comedogenic scale. 

How to tell if you have medium/normal hair: When rubbing a strand between your fingertips, you will be able to feel the hair; it will not feel super thin but it also will not feel super thick.

Coarse Hair

Source: Naturally Curly

Coarse hair is the strongest but it’s very prone to dryness. With that being said, it’s very important to allow moisture to penetrate. It’s also very important that you retain the moisture. Coarse hair tends to tolerate manipulation more and heavy products. If you have coarse hair, it’s best to use thicker oils and butters on the strands because extremely light oils will not be able to penetrate. Use oils and butters that rate 3 to 4 on the comedogenic scale for your strands only (they are way too heavy for the scalp!) Even if you aren’t using oils and butters listed on the comedogenic scale, you should still be using products with a thicker consistency on your hair strands. 

How to tell if you have coarse hair: When rubbing a single hair strand between your fingers, it will feel very thick, almost like a string of thread.