Type 1 Hair: Straight
Type 1 hair is straight, with no natural curl pattern. It splits into three subtypes by thickness and body: 1A is fine and very flat, 1B has medium body, and 1C is thick and coarse. Here is how the three compare and how to care for straight hair.
Type 1 hair is straight, growing without a natural wave or curl from root to tip. It reflects light easily, so it often looks shiny, and because there is no bend to hold volume it can fall flat and show oil faster than other types. It splits into three sub-types, from the fine, flat 1a to the thicker, more resistant 1c.
How to Recognize Type 1 Hair
Wash your hair, let it air-dry with no product, and look at the shape. If it dries straight with no S-shape or spiral anywhere along the length, it is type 1. Any wave that appears on its own would move you toward type 2.
The three Type 1 subtypes
- 1A hair typeFine, thin, very straight and soft, with little volume. It rarely holds a curl and tends to get oily quickly.
- 1B hair typeMedium texture with more body than 1a, straight with a slight bend toward the ends. It holds styles a little better.
- 1C hair typeCoarse and thick, straight but with noticeable body and sometimes a faint wave. It is the most resistant type 1 to styling.
How to Care for Type 1 Hair
Type 1 hair suits lightweight products. Heavy oils and butters weigh it down and make it look greasy, so favor volumizing, water-based products and gentle, more frequent cleansing if your scalp runs oily. Dry shampoo between washes helps with flatness.
1a vs 1b vs 1c: how to tell them apart
The three straight sub-types differ mainly by strand thickness and body. 1a is the finest and flattest and holds almost no volume. 1b is medium, with more body and a slight bend near the ends. 1c is the thickest and most coarse, with real body and occasionally a faint wave. If your straight hair feels thin and goes flat, you are likely 1a. If single strands feel thick and your hair resists a curl, you are closer to 1c.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is type 1 hair?
- Type 1 hair is straight hair with no natural curl. The three subtypes (1A, 1B, 1C) differ by thickness and body, from fine and flat to thick and coarse.
- How do I know my type 1 subtype?
- Judge thickness and body: 1A is fine and falls completely flat, 1B has some volume and slight bends, 1C is thick and coarse with stubborn body. The free quiz confirms it.
- Why does type 1 hair get oily so fast?
- With no curl to slow them, scalp oils slide straight down the strand and coat the hair quickly. That is why straight hair often looks greasy a day or two after washing.
1a vs 1b vs 1c: how to tell them apart FAQ
- How do I know if my hair is 1a, 1b or 1c?
- Look at strand thickness and body once your hair is clean and air-dried. Fine, flat and hard to add volume points to 1a, medium with slight movement points to 1b, and thick, coarse with body points to 1c.
- What is the difference between 1a and 1c hair?
- 1a is the finest, thinnest and flattest straight hair, while 1c is thick, coarse and has more body, sometimes with a faint wave. 1b sits in between.