California Cosmetology Written ExamClient Consultation and AnalysisMedium
A cosmetologist is analyzing a new client's hair and observes that individual strands form tight, small, springy loops that shrink significantly when wet. This wave pattern is classified as which hair type?
- AType 4 - coily
- BType 2 - wavy
- CType 1 - straight
- DType 3 - curly
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Type 4 - coily
Type 4, or coily/kinky hair, forms tight, small loops or zigzags and shows the most shrinkage when wet due to its densely coiled structure, requiring gentler chemical processing due to increased fragility.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Type 2 hair forms loose S-shaped waves, not tight loops.
- C. Type 1 hair lies flat with no visible curl pattern.
- D. Type 3 hair forms defined curls or spirals, larger than tight coils.
Hair Wave Pattern (Curl Type)
Hair is classified into four wave pattern types—straight, wavy, curly, and coily—based on the shape and tightness of the strand's natural curl.
- Type 1: straight, no curl
- Type 4: tightest coils, most shrinkage and fragility
- Curl pattern affects chemical processing needs
Memory trick: 'Straight to Springy' — 1 through 4 tightens with each step.