Tight Zigzag Coily Hair

Woman holding a hat with tight zigzag coils blowing in the wind
Photo: Graca Assane / Unsplash — Unsplash License

Tight Zigzag Coily Hair (Type 4B)

Quick look

  • Type code: Type 4B — Tight Zigzag Coily Hair.
  • Texture & porosity: Sharp zigzag bends with little visible curl diameter; porosity trends high and shrinkage can reach 70 percent.1,2
  • Risk factors: Any thinning, razoring, or aggressive combing breaks fibers near the scalp and destroys definition.2,3
  • Tool pairing: Dry cut with surgical-sharp convex shears, isolate tiny coil groupings, and avoid blending shears altogether unless you are deep inside the shape.2

Why it matters

Type 4B hair is both dense and delicate. Precision micro-snips protect the coil form while releasing just enough weight to keep the silhouette symmetrical.2

Technique map

  • Dust the perimeter curl-by-curl, cutting only what springs past the desired outline with zero tension.2
  • Support each zigzag coil between your fingers and use the pinch-and-talk motion to remove interior weight without sliding across the fiber.2
  • For high-density crowns, create micro triangles and gently channel with the tips of a convex shear, stopping before you reach the outer layer.2
  • Finish with low-air diffusing or air drying, then seal with a butter or oil blend to reduce friction and lock in moisture.3

Usage notes

  1. Keep spray bottles and leave-in conditioner on hand—hydration clarifies coil groupings and reduces snagging.3
  2. Check balance after every few snips; shrinkage shifts length dramatically once the coil rebounds.2
  3. Avoid clips that crease; use spiral pins or soft clamps to hold sections without imprinting the coil.2

Maintenance / Client Care

  • Encourage weekly deep-conditioning and oil sealing to counter the high porosity associated with zigzag coils.3
  • Recommend satin bedding or silk turbans to minimize overnight friction and moisture loss.3
  • Plan trims every six to eight weeks so the shape stays even and tangles do not accumulate at the ends.2,3

Related Types & Sources

Related hair types: Soft Spring Coily Hair (Type 4A), Delicate Micro Coily Hair (Type 4C)

Sources

  1. Simultaneous hair cross-section and curvature analysis
  2. Weight Removal 101
  3. Hair Cosmetics: An Overview

Related Hair types