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 is the straight family. Because there is no curl to define, the three subtypes are separated by strand thickness and how much body the hair holds, from the finest and flattest (1A) to the thickest and most resistant (1C). Straight hair shares one trait across all three: scalp oils travel down the strand with nothing to slow them, so the whole family tends to look oily faster than curlier types and rarely struggles with dryness at the root.
The three Type 1 subtypes
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.