How to Better Understand Your Hair Texture, According to Experts (2024)

Just like skin care, hair care is not a one-size-fits-all experience. We all have different hair textures, from course to fine, so it's important to adapt our routines accordingly. But how do you know what hair texture you have in the first place? Well, we went straight to the experts to find out their tried-and-true advice. Ahead, board-certified dermatologists and cosmetologists explain how to identify your hair texture and how to care for it.

What Is Hair Texture?

"Hair texture refers to the diameter, width, or even thickness of an individual hair strand," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ritu Saini says. "Typically, there are three broad categories of texture: fine, medium, or coarse. A person can have different hair textures at once. For example, an individual can have coarse texture on the crown of the head and fine or medium in the back."

How to Figure out Your Hair Texture

Not sure what category your hair fits into? Dr. Saini says the easiest way to determine your texture is to remove a single strand of hair to assess its diameter, width, and thickness.

• Coarse Hair: "Coarse hair will be very easy to see and will feel thick or full," according to Dr. Saini. Celebrity hairstylist Tippi Shorter adds, "If the strand of hair is thicker than a typical sewing thread, hair is usually coarse."
• Medium Hair:As one would expect, medium hair thickness falls somewhere "between coarse and fine," according to Dr. Saini. Tippi Shorter suggests that a good rule of thumb is that medium hair texture is generally the thickness of a standard sewing thread.
• Fine Hair: Dr. Saini explains that "fine hair strands will be much more difficult to see and feel very thin." Shorter adds that if the hair stand is "narrower than a sewing thread, it's fine."
  

How to Care for Your Hair Texture

Knowledge is power; once you better understand your hair texture, you will be well-equipped to make haircare choices that keep your hair looking its best. Here are a few expert-approved tips to incorporate into your routine based on your hair type:

• Coarse Hair:"Coarse hair benefits from heavier products (such as creams and oils) that provide moisture and softening benefits. Amino acid-enriched products will only make hair more coarse and structured, so it is not advised to use them," according to Dr. Saini. Licensed cosmetologist and The Doux CEO Maya Smith explains that those with coarse hair need to also "focus on hydration" in their day-to-day routines.
• Medium Hair: "With medium-texture hair, there is more flexibility," Dr. Saini explains. "Lightweight products can be used to add more volume, while heavier products can be used to make hair more flat and sleek. Protein products can be used more sparingly but are not as critical for hair strength."
• Fine Hair: Dr. Saini shares, "Finely textured hair should be treated and styled with lightweight hair products to avoid weighing it down and making it look limp. Lightweight formulations for styling, like gels and sprays, as opposed to creams, are preferred. Amino acid-enriched products can be used to provide protein and strengthen fine hair texture." Smith adds, "Avoid heavy oils that can weigh hair down."

You might wonder, What if I have more than one hair texture? Don't worry; our experts' advice still applies. Dr. Saini says, "For hair with mixed textures, various products should be used depending on what is needed and where." In short, this means you should apply lighter products to areas with fine hair and thicker, more hydrating formulas to areas with medium or coarse hair.

The Final Takeaway

Caring for your hair can feel overwhelming, but figuring out your hair texture can help alleviate some concerns. All it takes is assessing your strands based on our experts' guidelines to determine whether they fall into the course, medium, or fine category. Having a better understanding of your hair texture can help you curate a washing and styling routine with tailored products, allowing you to optimize your hair's health. And isn't that what we all want?