If you have ever seen two men get the same haircut but end up with totally different results, hair type could be the reason.
Male hair type is mostly about your natural curl pattern, meaning how straight or curly your hair grows. This curl pattern is strongly tied to genetics and the shape of your hair follicles. When follicles shape the hair strand in different ways, the hair can grow straight, wavy, curly, or coily.
Most hair type systems group men’s hair into four main categories: Type 1 straight hair, Type 2 wavy hair, Type 3 curly hair, and Type 4 coily/kinky hair. Some charts also include letters like A, B, and C to show smaller differences in how loose or tight the pattern is, but the biggest and most useful differences are the four main types.
What Are the Different Types of Male Hair?
Type 1 Hair: Straight Hair
Type 1 hair grows without a natural bend, so the strand runs straight from root to tip. When you look at straight hair, it often appears smooth and even. Many men with straight hair also notice that it has a natural shine, and it tends to lay flatter against the head compared to other hair types.
One reason straight hair often looks shinier is because scalp oil can move down the hair strand more easily when the strand is not twisting or bending. Because of that, straight hair may look oily faster than other hair types. It also tends to handle humidity better, since there is no curl pattern that can expand and turn puffy in moist air.
Straight hair often feels soft or silky, but the strand thickness can still vary from person to person. Some men have fine straight hair that feels light and thin, while others have thick straight hair that can feel strong or slightly coarse.
Even with those differences, the defining trait is the lack of a natural wave or curl.
Type 2 Hair: Wavy Hair
Type 2 hair sits between straight and curly hair. Instead of lying perfectly flat, wavy hair forms a gentle “S” shape. While not all the same, some wavy hair looks loose and relaxed, while other wavy hair looks more defined and textured. It depends on how strong the wave pattern is.
Wavy hair also tends to have more natural body and volume than straight hair. Many men like wavy hair because it can look styled even when they do not do much, as the wave pattern can create texture that helps the hair look fuller on top.
At the same time, wavy hair can be more likely to frizz than straight hair because the hair strand has bends which can react more to humidity and moisture in the air. That is why wavy hair can look smooth one day and a little puffy or frizzy the next, even with the same haircut.
Type 3 Hair: Curly Hair
Type 3 hair is where you start seeing true curls rather than simple waves. Curly hair forms loops, ringlets, or spirals, while wavy hair isn’t quite as tight. Some curls are larger and bouncier, while others are tighter and more compact, but the hair clearly curls instead of waving.
Curly hair often looks full because the curls lift away from the scalp and create shape. Many men with curly hair notice that their hair has more of a springy feel. If you gently pull a curl, it stretches and then bounces back.
Curly hair types are often drier than straight or wavy hair, as the spiral shape makes it harder for scalp oil to travel from the roots down to the ends. Because of that, curly hair can be prone to dryness and frizz.
It can also be more fragile than straighter hair types. The bends in the strand can become weak spots, so the hair may break more easily if it is handled roughly.
Many men with curly hair also notice hair shrinkage, which means the hair looks shorter when it is dry because the curls tighten up. If you stretch the curls out with your fingers, the true length is often longer than it looks.
Type 4 Hair: Coily Hair
Type 4 hair is the tightest curl pattern, and it is sometimes called kinky hair. Coily hair forms very small, tight coils, sometimes creating a zigzag pattern.
These coils often start close to the scalp, which can create a dense, full look even when the hair is not very long and can feel thicker or more textured to the touch. Many men describe it as springy.
Even though it can look strong and full, coily hair is often the most delicate hair type. The tight twists and bends make it harder for scalp oil to reach the ends, which is why coily hair is very prone to dryness.
Type 4 hair can also break more easily because there are many tight bends along each strand. Those bends can become stress points if the hair is pulled, brushed aggressively, or handled roughly.
Why the Same Haircut Can Look Different on Two Men
Hair type changes how hair sits and how it fills space. Straight hair often lies flatter and falls down more easily. Wavy hair adds lift and texture, so it can look fuller without much effort.
Curly hair creates bigger shapes because the curls loop and stack on top of each other. Coily hair packs a lot of texture and volume into a smaller area, which can look very full even at shorter lengths.
This is why two men can both ask for short sides and a longer top and still walk out with very different looking hair. The cut matters, but the natural pattern of the hair matters just as much.
Male Hair Types and Hair Transplants
Hair type can play a role in how hair looks after a hair transplant, especially when it comes to the look of fullness. Hair that is wavy, curly, or coily naturally takes up more space because it lifts away from the scalp and has more shape. That can help hair appear fuller. Straight hair tends to lay flatter, so spacing can be easier to notice in some cases.
Curly and coily hair can also be more fragile and prone to dryness. That is why it is important to be gentle with the hair and scalp during any hair restoration process.
No matter your hair type, the goal is the same – you want healthy growth that matches your natural look so the final result blends in and feels like you.
If you’re interested in a hair transplant, we can help! Contact us today at the Limmer Hair Transplant Center and set up a consultation with one of our incredible doctors!
