When it comes to my curly girls, no two heads of hair look exactly alike! Curly hair comes in all different patterns, textures, and colors - which is why so many people spend much time trying to find ways to properly care for their own unique texture. 

Thankfully, the curl type chart gives us a way to narrow down our search, and today we will give tips on how to care for 3c hair!

What is 3c Hair?

3c is a type of curl on the curl type chart. It is right after 3b and right before 4c. 3c curls are tighter than 3b curls but looser than 4c curls. It is a type of texture where the curls have the width of a pencil. The strands of this hair are also tightly packed together which makes the hair very voluminous. 

It borders kinky hair but is more defined than type 4 hair. 3c hair has S-shaped curls and is the tightest curl pattern of Type 3. 

3c hair was originally not included in the curl type chart but was later added because so many people have this texture. There are tips that you can include in your daily hair routine that will keep this type of hair healthy and beautiful!

How to Take Care of 3c Hair

Pre-poo before shampoo - Curly hair is more delicate than straight hair because it tends to dry out faster. In order to prevent consistent dryness, you should consider applying moisture to your hair before the shampooing process - not just after. Shampoos strip the hair of its natural oils which causes the hair to become dry. What you use for a pre-poo depends on your preference.

 A pre-poo has to be something that is moisturizing and non-stripping.  You can buy a pre-poo product, or use natural ingredients such as oil, eggs, and avocado. You could also use a conditioner as a pre-poo. 

Hot oil treatments are usually done as a pre-poo before washing. The warm oil gets absorbed into the hair and helps prevent the shampoo from stripping away the moisture in the washing process. 

You could also mix together household ingredients such as eggs,  which contain protein that soften the hair. Avocados also soften the hair and leave the hair very moisturized. Using natural ingredients are cheap and healthy solutions for your hair and scalp.

Deep condition - 3c curls are more frizzy and not as defined the drier they are, which is why they benefit from maximum moisture.  In order to ensure your hair is moisturized throughout the week, a deep conditioner really works to give you that baseline moisture.

Deep conditioners are more moisturizing than regular conditioners and have a thicker consistency. It is recommended that you at least deep condition once every two weeks.

Deep conditioners work best with heat. After applying a deep conditioner, it is best to cover the hair with a shower cap and let it sit on your head for at least an hour. It is even better if you sit under a dryer with your shower cap on for a little while. When the shower cap is on your head, it will create a steamy effect inside and help the deep conditioner penetrate the hair shaft - leaving the hair soft and defined. 

Moisturize daily - Moisturizing your hair daily is a must for 3c hair! Moisturizers help cut back the frizz and allow for those curls to be their true selves. 

If you want lighter and fluffier curls, then a leave-in conditioner would be best for that. 3c curls are naturally dense and clumpy, so a lot of the time they are not very fluffy. However, because a leave-in conditioner is a lighter product, it won't weigh the hair down so much. 

If you just want to define the curls and add shine, a great moisturizer for this would be a curl cream. Curl creams have a thicker consistency, and they work really well by being brushed in with a detangling brush.  After applying a curl cream your curls will be super defined! You could also twist your hair with a curl cream to lock in more moisture and untwist the hair when you are ready to rock a cute voluminous curly style.

Protect - All hair needs to be protected, so making sure that you are properly protecting 3c hair is a huge game changer. Night protection is very important because your hair can get really dry during the night if you did not protect it. 

Wearing a silk bonnet to completely cover the hair is a great way to seal in the moisture you added during the day so that it is not absorbed by your pillowcase. Twisting your hair or braiding it before bed also helps your hair to lock in the moisture and be fresh for the next morning. 

Wearing protective styles during the day also helps the hair to grow out healthier. Environmental stressors, heat, and chemicals all contribute to dull and flat curls, they can also contribute to stunted hair growth. 

By wearing styles that tuck in your ends (braids, twists, wigs, etc.) you can keep your hair from being exposed all of the time and keep yourself from adding unnecessary stress from styling every day.  

How do I stop my 3c hair from shrinking?

All curly hair looks shorter than it actually is because of the curl's tendency to shrink back when they dry. One way to prevent so much shrinkage is to twist all of your hair after you have wet it and wrap it into a bun until it is almost dry. The twisting will stretch out the curls and the drying will keep the curls stretched out. Once your hair is almost dry, you can take it out of the bun and leave it alone until it dries fully before you apply the product. 

Is it OK to brush curly hair every day?

You should not use a brush or comb on curly hair every day because it is an unnecessary amount of pulling on the hair. Finger detangling is the best way to detangle your hair on a regular basis because it is more gentle on the hair. You should also make sure that your hair is either braided or twisted before you go to bed to prevent it from getting tangled at night, and just take them out in the morning. If you must use a brush, the best kind is a detangling brush. 

The Final Word

Properly caring for your 3c hair is the most important part of bringing out the best in it! Achieving beautiful bouncy hair every day is entirely possible if you are consistent and mindful of its needs.