Understanding Your Curl Pattern & How to Build Hair Strength for Curly Hair 

1) Curl Pattern and Strength Guide

Our goal is to help you match your routine choices to your curl geometry and help with typical strengthening needs for curly hair.

Type 2 Curls: WAVES

Risks: frizz from raised cuticles, over-conditioning that collapses shape.

Strength focus: light weekly strengthening mask, heat protectant every style.
Core routine: gentle cleanse, light conditioner, Filament once per week, lightweight gel or mousse.

• Type 3 curls
  Risks: midshaft snags, halo frizz, over-brushing wet.
  Strength focus: weekly Filament session for tensile support, slip-forward mask for detangling.
  Core routine: pH friendly shampoo, rich conditioner, Filament weekly, curl cream plus gel cast, diffuse on low heat only.
  
  

• Type 4 coils
  Risks: mechanical breakage at bends, crown dryness, tension from styling.
  Strength focus: weekly Filament to reinforce fibers, strategic protein only when wet stretch is mushy, strict friction control.
  Core routine: cleansing conditioner or gentle shampoo, creamy conditioner, Filament weekly, leave-in for slip, cream plus light oil to seal as needed.
  
  

Universal strength habits

• Detangle under running water with slip.
  
  

• Towel blot, do not rub.
  
  

• Trim lightly every 8 to 12 weeks.
  
  

• Heat protectant every time you style.
  
  

• Keep a simple hair log to track what reduces breakage.
  
  

2) Porosity Myths Busted

Quick definitions

• Porosity describes how easily water moves in and out of hair.
  
  

• High porosity often comes from chemical services or wear at the cuticle.
  
  

• Low porosity is naturally tighter cuticles that resist uptake.
  
  

Common myths and the reality

• Myth: the floating hair test tells the whole story.
  Reality: it is inconsistent. Judge by drying speed, tangle pattern, and product absorption.
  
  

• Myth: high porosity always needs heavy oils.
  Reality: you need slip and sealing, but weight depends on density and strand size. Start light.
  
  

• Myth: low porosity never benefits from masks.
  Reality: it benefits from time and warmth. Use thinner masks or smaller amounts and allow more contact time.
  
  

• Myth: protein is only for high porosity.
  Reality: use protein by elasticity test. If a wet strand stretches like taffy, add mild protein regardless of porosity.
  
  

At home checks that guide real choices

• Drying speed: dries very fast and tangles easily suggests higher porosity. Add weekly mask and sealing.
  
  

• Feel after rinse: squeaky or grabby suggests mineral film. Plan a monthly chelating reset, then strengthen.
  
  

• Absorption: products sit on top suggests lower porosity. Use lighter creams, smaller amounts, and longer contact time.
  
  

3) Type 4 Hair Breakage Prevention

Objective: cut mechanical stress while improving tensile strength.

Weekly framework

• Cleanse: gentle shampoo or co-wash to reduce dryness.
  
  

• Strengthen: Filament once per week on sections, apply root to tip with focus on crown and ends.
  
  

• Condition: creamy rinse-out for slip.
  
  

• Seal: apply leave-in, then a light oil or butter only on ends if needed.
  
  

Elasticity and protein

• Wet stretch test each week.
  Slight give then rebound is balanced.
  Taffy-like stretch means add a mild protein reconstructor once this week only, then reassess.
  Instant snap with little stretch means reduce strong protein and focus on Filament plus slip.
  
  

Detangling protocol

• Load strands with conditioner.
  
  

• Finger detangle first.
  
  

• Wide tooth comb second, starting at ends.
  
  

• Work in small sections.
  
  

• Rinse cool to help cuticles lie flatter.
  
  

Protective styling without new stress

• Choose styles that do not pull at the hairline.
  
  

• Keep install and takedown gentle.
  
  

• Give scalp and edges rest days between installs.
  
  

• Moisturize and clean the scalp weekly even while protective styling.
  
  

Heat and tension rules

• If you stretch hair for a style, use low heat with heat protectant.
  
  

• No repeated passes on the same section.
  
  

• Avoid tight elastics at the crown. Rotate part lines during the week.
  
  

Night routine

• Satin or silk pillowcase.
  
  

• Loose pineapple or chunky twists to reduce friction.
  
  

• Light leave-in on ends only if they feel crisp.
  
  

Monthly resets

• Chelating cleanse if water is hard or if products build up.
  
  

• Follow the same day or next wash with Filament so fibers are supported after reset.
  
  

• Micro-trim each quarter to stop splits from traveling.
  
  

Minimalist product map for Type 4 strength

• Cleanser: gentle, low foam.
  
  

• Strengthener: Filament once weekly.
  
  

• Conditioner: creamy with great slip.
  
  

• Leave-in: rich but not waxy.
  
  

• Sealant: light oil or balm only on ends if needed.
  
  

• Heat protectant: every style.
  
  

Results to expect when done right

• Fewer short broken pieces in the sink.
  
  

• Faster detangling with fewer passes.
  
  

• Less crown snap-off.
  
  

• Styles last longer at lower heat.