What Is Coily Hair? - Curly & Dry Hair - L'Oréal Paris

The terms curly hair and coily hair are often used interchangeably to describe strands that boast a distinct spiral shape. But if you have natural hair, you’re probably aware—they’re not the same thing. While coily hair is a type of curly hair, it requires special care to look and feel its best. Products designed for finer, looser curls probably won’t do the job.

If you’re wondering what, specifically, makes coils different from curls—and what that means for you—keep reading. Below, we’re sharing an in-depth guide on the characteristics of coily hair types and offering tips on ways to make your natural texture shine. Plus, you’ll get a look at some of our best coily hair products to add to your routine.

What Is Coily Hair?

Coily hair—also known as type 4 hair—is a natural hair type characterized by the presence of tight S- or Z-shaped curls (or, more succinctly, coils). There are three subtypes of type 4 hair: 4A, 4B, and 4C.

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4A hair type

Type 4A hair has strands that form springy, S-shape coils from root to tip. These curls are usually fine in texture and tend to be extremely tight (they’re roughly as wide as a crochet needle).

4B hair type

4B hair features that take on a “Z” shape, bending at sharp angles with a less defined curl pattern. The strands are densely packed together and tend to be coarser than that of type A hair. Regular moisturizing and gentle care are required to maintain elasticity and prevent breakage.

4C hair type

4C hair is the coarsest of the type 4 hair subtypes. The curl pattern in this hair type is similar to 4B hair, but tighter and more defined. Type 4C hair tends to shrink the most of all type 4 hair types and is very delicate. It requires consistent moisture and gentle handling to prevent breakage and maintain length.

Coily Hair vs. Curly Hair: What's the Difference?

All coils are curls, but not all curls are coils. Curly hair is an umbrella term that can refer to anything from loose, bouncy ringlets to dense, kinky spirals. Coily hair, meanwhile, only describes the densest, tightest of curls. While you may hear someone refer to coils as curls, it’s not entirely accurate. This is important to remember because tight coily hair requires a different haircare routine than finer curly hair—and the best products for coily hair may not work as well for someone with looser spirals.

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How To Care For Coily Hair

Caring for coily hair requires a gentle hand, as this hair type can be prone to dryness and breakage. Ahead, you’ll find eight of our top tips to help your coils look and feel their best.

1. Use hydrating hair care products

The curlier the hair, the more difficult it is for oil to travel from the scalp down the strands—which is why tight coily hair is often dry and highly porous. Using hydrating products can help your strands retain moisture and minimize the chance of breakage when you style your strands.

On wash day, cleanse your hair with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo, which gently cleanses and helps define curls without any weigh-down. For the best results, we suggest pairing it with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner—the hyaluronic acid and castor oil-infused formula helps lock in hydration for up to 72 hours.

After showering, apply the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-in Conditioner throughout your mane from root to tip. The nourishing formula for curly and coily hair provides long-lasting moisture and helps define your natural hair texture without weighing it down.