Hair Texture Guide: Difference Between Fine, Medium and Coarse Hair & Caring Tips

The type of hair can be identified through multiple features, one of the most widely used elements is the hair texture, which divided natural hair and human hair wigs into different types. What is hair texture and how many types are there? In this article, we’ll focus on the difference between fine, medium and coarse hair and how to care for them. 

Types of Hair Texture - Difference Between Fine, Medium and Coarse Hair

There are three types of hair texture depending on the circumference, diameter and width of each individual hair strand, including fine, medium and coarse, this means the hair texture is generally determined by the size of hair. You can have more than one type of hair texture on your head. Each hair has its own advantages and downsides, for example, fine hair usually feels smooth and silky but can’t maintain the style well. The selection of hair products and caring methods are both associated with hair texture. What are the types of hair textures and how to find them?

Fine Hair

Fine hair has the smallest diameter of individual strands and the most fragile hair texture. In fine-textured hair, the hair strand is very thin, it actually has two layers, which are the cuticle (outermost layer protects the cortex) and cortex (provides strength, moisture, color, and texture), while missing the medulla layer, which is the innermost layer. If you have fine hair, you can’t feel the hair strand in between your fingers, and barely see the strand when holding it up. Compared to other types of hair textures, fine hair strands may feel softer and have more flexibility, but easier to break and hard to maintain your hair in style. What to note is that fine hair is different from thin hair. Fine hair is characterized by the size of a single strand, while thin hair is described based on the density of follicles or distance between different strands. 

How to care for fine hair? Fine hair texture is more susceptible to breakage especially when it’s wet, do not rub it hard and avoid combing your wet hair, try to wipe off moisture gently using a towel. The best thing is to let your hair dry naturally instead of a hairdryer. In addition, you can wash it every day with a lightweight shampoo, but reduce the amount of hair conditioner you use and keep it away from your roots, and rinse thoroughly.

Medium Hair

Medium hair is thicker than fine hair and is the most common texture. The hair strand of medium hair usually has two layers, it also may have the third layer - medulla. Medium hair texture is also known as normal hair texture, can feel silky when it is straight and healthy. Medium hair can keep hairstyles better than fine hair but not good as coarse hair. It is not as prone to breakage as fine hair, but vulnerable to damage from high heat styling tools. Keep medium-textured hair hydrated. 

Coarse Hair

Coarse hair has the thickest hair strands, take a hair strand and put it between your fingers, if you can actually feel it, you may have coarse or thick textured hair. Coarse hair strands contain all three hair layers: cuticle, cortex and medulla, they may feel strong and appear stiff as the strand is made up of more protein. Thick hair gives people the feeling that the hair is fuller and can maintain the hairstyle well. Compared to fine and medium hair, coarse hair texture is more resistant to styling products, chemical treatments and damages, but also requires a longer time to dry and is easier to be frizzy. 

How to care for coarse hair? Brush your hair gently when damp to minimize frizz and tangling when it dries, it also helps pull down the sebum to keep your hair well-oiled. Trim your hair regularly to avoid split ends, especially you get curly hair. When it comes to the products for coarse hair, conditioning creams and serums can control frizz and make your hair restore its natural shape. Good leave-in serum products can enhance the shine of your hair with the addition of vitamins and plant oils.