When you think of coarse hair, you might think of thick curls—but not all coarse hair is curly, and it may not even be thick! This is a common misconception. It’s the hair shaft itself that is thick and has the widest circumference of any texture.
If you recently discovered that you have coarse hair, you probably have a few questions. We’re here to give you the rundown on how to care for, style, and love your coarse hair.
What Does Coarse Hair Look Like?
Coarse hair contains three layers of the hair shaft that other textures are sometimes missing—a cortex, medulla, and cuticle. Sometimes coarse hair can become dry and frizzy because of its unique texture. But with the right products and routine, you can learn how to manage coarse hair like a professional.
If you’re trying to figure out what texture hair you have, you can try this method at home. Take a strand of hair and put it between your fingers. If you can feel the thickness of the hair strand between your fingers, you probably have coarse hair. If your hair was fine, you wouldn’t be able to feel the single piece of hair in your hands.
Taking Care Of Coarse Hair
Coarse hair requires a lot of maintenance. Familiarizing yourself with how to wash your hair and what to avoid doing is the best way to care for your locks. Let’s talk about routines.
What you use in the shower will make or break how your hair looks for the next 24-48 hours. Finding products that moisturize not only the outer part of your hair but penetrate deep within the shaft is crucial. When you are shampooing, make sure you are scrubbing your scalp gently. Applying too much force will likely cause frizz and tangles later on.
We recommend our Smoothing Wash Shampoo that calms coarse hair and reduces volume. It’s made with passion fruit and brazil nut to relax each strand and give you softer hair. It’s 100% vegan and sulfate-free because we know your hair deserves the best.
When you are applying conditioner in the shower, start from the ends. If you notice that the roots of your hair quickly become oily, avoid using conditioner on this area. For coarse hair, you may only need to wash your hair 2-3 times a week. Of course, this will depend on how quickly your hair becomes greasy. In between washes, you can use a dry shampoo to refresh your scalp.
Our Refresh Me Dry Shampoo revives your hair in a matter of minutes. The unique formula soaks up oil and removes buildup so that no one will ever know you skipped a shower today (and yesterday). Reducing your washes per week might take a little bit of getting used to, but once your hair adjusts, it will be much happier.
If your hair falls on the opposite side of the spectrum and often becomes dry and brittle, you may want to consider something called co-washing. This is a technique that involves only using conditioner in the shower. To find what works best for you, experiment with co-washing to see if your hair can handle going without shampoo.
For coarse hair, using our Smoothing Conditioning Rinse will soften your hair without leaving it greasy. It’s free of parabens and made with mallow flower extracts to naturally smooth your locks and tame unruly hairs.
Once you get out of the shower, add hair cream or leave-in conditioner for added moisture on your ends. Our Anti-Frizz Smoothing Cream and Miracle Leave In Conditioner are perfect for the job.
Of course, keeping hair healthy isn’t just about the things you do in the shower. Keeping coarse hair looking its best also involves things like getting regular trims. Going to the salon every 6-8 weeks will prevent your split ends from traveling upward and damaging more of your hair. It’s important to find a hairstylist who is experienced in cutting coarse textured hair for the best results.
Some Concerns For Coarse Hair
Just like every hair type, coarse hair comes with its own set of problems. Let’s dive into some of the most common coarse hair concerns and how to deal with them.
The first one is over-washing your hair. This results in frizzy strands that are difficult to tame. To combat this, work on your washing schedule and use a brush made with natural bristles. This will spread out the oils in your hair without roughing up the cuticle layer. But avoid brushing your hair too much if your hair is coarse and curly.
The next concern is heat damage. Try to limit the amount of heat you expose your hair to. High temperatures cause breakages in your hair strands and produce more frizz. Before using a heat tool, apply a heat protectant to your hair. You can also try turning down the heat on the devices before using them.
Another problem area for coarse hair is dryness. Since coarse hair has so many layers to it, it can be difficult for products to moisturize each area evenly. Using a hair mask at least once a week will do wonders for your hair. Masks often contain ingredients that deeply penetrate the hair leaving it smooth and hydrated.
We understand that when you’re in a rush, blow-drying seems to be the only solution. But avoiding this when possible might save your hair in the long run. The harshness of blow dryers sucks the moisture out of your hair that you just worked so hard to get. So for the sake of your hair, plan to take a shower a few hours before you have to leave in the morning.
Waking up with frizz is annoying, and believe it or not, your pillow might actually be the problem. Cotton pillowcases absorb the moisture in your hair while you sleep. Your hair can easily get caught on the material and cause split ends. Replacing your pillowcase with a silk one will result in less abrasion and reduce frizz in the morning.
The last concern for coarse hair that we’ll mention is over-processing your hair. Going to the salon and getting a fresh perm or highlight is a fun way to change up your look, but going too often may result in dead, overly porous hair.
Each time you allow chemicals to change your hair’s density, it changes the way your hair responds to everything else. This includes washing, brushing, and styling.
Best Haircuts For Coarse Hair
Coarse hair can look beautiful in a wide variety of haircuts. There’s no limit to what you can do with it, but here are some of the best looks for this texture.
- An edgy undercut is a fun way to amp down the volume of your hair. Shaving off the bottom layers of your hair will give you less hair to deal with and allow you to maintain the length of the rest of your hair.
- Long layers create a lot of texture and shape for your coarse hair. Face framing pieces will define your jawline, and the rest of the layers will add some flare to your look.
- A pixie cut is the ultimate haircut for girls on the go. Pulling this look off with coarse hair is a breeze.
- A medium cut will give you length and make your hair more manageable. Shoulder-length locks give you a lot to work with without overdoing it.
Best Styles For Coarse Hair
Coarse hair gives you a lot of style options for your hair. When you use the right products to wash and style your hair, the potential is limitless. Here are some styles to try next time you’re feeling adventurous.
- Curls combined with braids is the ultimate way to texturize your coarse hair. Use a curling wand to create big or small curls in your hair and pull small pieces into braids to create a soft, beautiful look.
- Crimping your hair may seem like a throwback, but it’s one of those trends that never really goes out of fashion. Use a crimper and take advantage of your coarse texture by showing it off to the world.
- Half updos are an essential go-to for coarse-haired ladies. Keeping some of that hair out of your face during the day is the only way you’re gonna get things done. Sport a stylish top knot or a high pony to amp up this look.
In Conclusion
Naturally coarse hair can hold styles extremely well. As long as you take the time to care for it and have plenty of patience, your hair will shine like never before. Be careful around heat and harsh treatments.
Using VoCe hair products is one of the best things you can do for your hair. Whether it’s fine, medium, or coarse, we’ve got the ingredients to support your locks so that they go beyond just looking good.
Sources:
Coarse Hair: Tips for Care and Treatment | Healthline
The Difference Between Coarse & Curly Hair | Our Everyday Life