Even though most people are aware of the wide range of hair types, it does not signify that everyone can differentiate between them properly. A Significant number of hair types have similar visuals making it difficult to determine their actual texture with ease.
Type 2C and type 3A are prime examples of this dilemma where both of these have similar characteristics that make them visually identical but are quite different in reality. Without knowing the dissimilarities, it is impossible to determine one’s actual hair type and take care of it properly.
If you are having trouble identifying your actual hair type between 2C and 3A hair, this article will help you immensely. Keep reading, and you will be able to determine your hair texture which will provide you with the ability to make a better hair care routine and strengthen your tresses.
Table of Contents
Type 2C Hair
Type 2C hair is part of type 2 hair, most commonly known as wavy hair. Amongst the three types of wavy hair, type 2C hair is known as the waviest hair type that is close to curls, for which many people mistake this texture for type 3A hair.
The wavy patterns that are present in this hair type do not start from the roots. Due to the tight wavy texture, type 2C has the most volume out of any type 2 hair and can often appear frizzy.
Although the hair near the scalp is straight, due to the tight waves, natural moisture does not easily reach the hair and needs to be moisturized separately to keep the hair healthy. You will find this hair type thicker than type 1 hair but thinner than type 3A hair.
Type 3A Hair
As many of you might know, there are three sub-genres of type 3 hair, and type 3A is the least curly hair among them. They have the loosest curls, which makes them appear very close to type 2C hair, but there are some differences that distinguish them.
For this hair type, the curls start from the root of the hair. For that reason, the hair looks voluminous but often gets frizzy because the natural oil can not reach the hair due to the curls. For that reason, it is better to use different types of moisturizing products to hydrate the hair.
Type 3A hair is usually known for being thicker than most hair types, but that can vary depending on the individual. But in general, they will have thicker strands than most hair types.
2C vs 3A Hair: The Differences Between Type 2C and 3A Hair
Although there are a lot of similarities between type 2C and type 3A hair, some core differences make them different from one another. By knowing these polarized characteristics, you will be able to easily distinguish these hair types and determine which one you possess.
As you already know, you require specific products to take care of a particular type of hair. You will also need to make your hair care routine based on your hair type, so it’s crucial to differentiate them.
Texture and Density
When it comes to the differences between type 2C and type 3A hair, we need to focus our attention on the hair texture. Although they have similar visuals, their curl patterns are quite different from one another.
In type 2C hair, the waves do not start from the scalp; the hair will begin getting tight wavy patterns that look like S at a lower stage. This tight wave pattern is inconsistent; sometimes, you will find straighter strands amidst the waves. On the other hand, type 3A hair has a consistent curly pattern that starts from the scalp and continues onward.
In addition, type 2C hair has good hair density, but it is way less compared to type 3A hair. While you might find them similar at first, observing closely will help you find the difference in hair density.
Maintenance and Styling Routine
Due to their close characteristics, some of the maintenance and styling routines are similar between these two, but there are minor differences that can result in way better hair care routines if you know them.
Both of these types of hair tend to get frizzy due to the lack of moisture, but type 3A suffers more from moisture loss than type 2A hair. For that, type 3A will need more moisturization products to care for the hair.
While styling the hair, if you are going to wear your hair loosely, you will need to use sprays and serums that will make the waves prominent in terms of type 2C hair. Various bangs and types of layered cuts are often prime choices for type 2C hair.
Styling type 3A hair will require you to use sprays and serums that will make your curls more bouncy and soft if you are thinking of wearing your hair loosely. Shag cuts and curly updos are some styles that can make you stand out with curly hair.
How To Determine Which Hair Type You Have
If you are still unaware of your hair type between type 2C and 3A, don’t fret too much about it. It’s normal to have doubts, and I will provide you with two unique ways you can follow to identify your actual hair type and care for them better. Both of these techniques are easy to follow, so you should not face any difficulty.
The Individual Strand Inspection Method
The first method I am discussing here is the easiest way of determining your hair between type 2C and type 3A hair. You will need to isolate random strands from different parts of your head and observe them to identify their type. Instead of inspecting one hair, observing multiple strands is better because you might get a fraudulent result otherwise.
After isolating the strands, notice the shape and the point from which the curls start to form. By identifying these aspects, you can place your hair type.
If you have type 2C hair, you will see that the tight wavy pattern did not start from the roots and has an S shape which is not consistent.
On the other hand, you will notice the curls start from the roots and have a consistent pattern in the case of type 3A hair.
The Soaked Strand Method
If you fail to identify your hair type from the previous method, you can go for this one which will work without a doubt. This method is used by soaking the hair and letting it dry out, which will showcase the actual texture of the hair and will help to understand it.
You can easily use this method after taking a shower. After getting out of the shower, don’t dry your hair immediately with a hair dryer or rinse it with a towel. Let your hair dry slowly, and observe how the strands shape up as they dry.
For type 2C hair, the hair, when the strand is wet, will look like straight or type 1 hair, and it will gradually become wavier as it gets dry.
Type 3A hair will retain some of its curls even when wet, and as the hair becomes dry, you will notice the consistent curly patterns of your hair.
Final Verdict
We have reached the final part of the article. If you have reached this concluding section, you have already gathered enough information to differentiate between 2C hair and 3A hair, respectively. Although they have some similar characteristics, there are a lot of differences that make them distinct.
Type 2C hair and 3A hair have similar visuals, but the tight waves do not start from the roots in the case of type 2C hair, while 3A hair has a consistent curl that starts from the scalp. Furthermore, 3A hair is more prone to breakage and moisture loss compared to 2C hair and needs more care in that regard.
By knowing these dissimilarities, you can determine your own hair type if you are confused about which one is your actual hair texture. You will be able to take better care of your hair by creating a hair care regime and properly caring for it, making it healthy and improving its quality.
