How To Care For Medium Textured Hair + Products to Try
This post may contain affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please read the disclosure policy for more details.
Knowing your hair texture is one of the essential steps to understanding your hair. It helps you choose new hair products and achieve a healthy, beautiful mane.
Medium texture hair is the most common type of texture, and it tends to be easier to care for than fine or coarse hair. But what does medium hair mean, and how do you look after it?
This blog post will help you understand what medium texture hair is and how to work out what hair texture you have. We’ll also share some tips on the best haircuts for medium hair and our recommendations for the best products for medium hair.
What is Hair Texture?
Hair texture describes the thickness of each individual strand of hair, and there are three different types of hair textures: fine, medium, and thick or coarse.
Examining individual hairs under a microscope lets scientists measure the thickness of each strand:
- Fine: Less than 60 microns
- Medium: 60-80 microns
- Thick/Coarse: 80 microns and higher
Hair texture is sometimes described as hair thickness, which makes some people confuse it with hair density. However, the density of hair describes how much hair you actually have and how close the strands are to each other rather than how thick each strand is.
Some people also confuse hair texture with hair type, which is the term used to describe your natural curl pattern. Your curl type is determined by the shape of your hair follicles, and it’s possible to have any type of hair combined with the different hair texture types.
It’s also possible for someone to have a mix of hair textures on their head.
Not sure which curly hair type you have? Find out now with our Quick Curl Type Quiz.
What Causes Different Hair Textures
Several factors can affect your hair texture, including hormones, certain medications, and genetics.
Black hair fibers tend to have the smallest diameter, averaging 55 microns, while Caucasian hair strands average 65 microns wide. Latinx hair is a little thicker, averaging 65-80 microns, and Asian hair fibers are the thickest on average at 80-120 microns1.
However, everyone’s hair is unique, and these figures are only a guideline.
What Is Medium Texture Curly Hair?
Medium hair texture is the most common hair texture type and you might see it described as normal hair.
Medium-textured hair looks pretty thick, feels smooth, and holds a style well. It lies in the middle of fine and coarse hair, so it isn’t particularly fragile but doesn’t feel coarse and wiry.
This hair texture doesn’t break easily but can be damaged by hot styling tools or chemical processing. It can also be prone to frizz, so keeping it well-hydrated and protecting it from heat damage is essential.
What’s The Difference Between Fine Vs. Medium Vs. Coarse Hair?
Now you know what medium-textured hair looks like, let’s look at the other hair textures.
Fine Texture
Fine hair is the most fragile texture, with very thin strands of hair that can break easily. This hair texture can look oily very quickly, as it’s easier for your scalp’s natural oils to coat fine strands.
Fine-textured hair struggles to get good volume because it has less protein structure at the center of the strand. However, volumizing products can easily weigh it down, make it look stringy, and even cause breakage. Using too much product on fine hair strands can also lead to product buildup.
Contrary to popular belief, fine hair texture isn’t the same as low density hair, although some people use the term ‘thin hair’ to describe both. People with fine hair can have high hair density, meaning they have lots of hair, but the strands are delicate and difficult to style or pin up.
Coarse Texture
Coarse hair (or thick hair) has thicker individual strands and is often described as feeling wiry. It usually looks full of volume even with low density hair, but can also look dull because it’s more difficult for your scalp’s natural oils to coat the whole of the hair shaft.
Coarse strands are stronger, less likely to break, and less prone to heat damage. This texture can also tolerate chemical processing better than other hair textures. Coarse hair texture will hold a style better than fine hair but takes longer to dry and can be prone to dryness and frizz in humid weather.
How Do I Know If My Hair Is Medium Texture?
There are a few simple ways to check which hair texture you have. Many people have a mixture of textures, so it’s a good idea to check a few strands from different areas of your head. For example, you might have medium-textured hair on most of your head, coarse hair around the crown, and fine hair at your temples.
It’s also better to check your hair when it’s clean and product-free, as natural oils and hair products can alter how your hair looks and feels.
The strand test is an easy way to determine your hair texture. To assess the strand thickness, simply take a single strand of hair and roll it between your fingers.
If you have fine hair, you will hardly be able to feel the strand at all. If the hair feels smooth between your fingers, it’s probably medium texture, while a coarse hair strand will feel wiry and substantial between your fingers, almost like a thin piece of thread.
You can also tell by laying a single hair strand on a white piece of paper. You’ll find it hard to see a strand of fine hair, especially if you have a light hair color. Coarse hairs will be much easier to see against the white paper, while medium texture falls between the two.
Finally, you can assess your hair texture by considering how easily your hair holds a style. If your hair is very easy to curl or pin up, it’s probably coarse. Fine hair is much more difficult to pin up, and curls will drop very quickly. Medium texture hair is somewhere between these two.
What Are The Best Haircuts For Medium Curly Hair?
If you have medium textured hair, you have the widest choice of cut and length, from short to long, and from sleek and smooth to choppy and textured. Medium hair also holds a style well, so you can enjoy experimenting with different looks.
However, different hair types will suit different styles, and what suits wavy hair will not work so well on coily or kinky hair.
If you have wavy hair, you can go short with a cute pixie cut or go to the opposite extreme with mid-back length tresses. Shoulder-length bobs look great when they’re left a little messy, which also means you don’t have to worry so much about a little frizz.
If you have a curly hair type, you can also experiment with different lengths, but remember that your hair could be several inches longer when wet, especially if you have tight coils. It’s better to be cautious when cutting your curls to avoid a nasty shock when your hair dries.
Going to a salon and stylist that specializes in natural hair is the best option, and you might also want to visit the salon for a consultation beforehand.
How To Style Medium Texture Hair
Hair texture is one of the main characteristics that determine your hair care routine and help you select the right products.
Many products are suitable for medium hair, so take time to work out whether lightweight or heavy products work best for your locks.
Try The Plopping Technique
Plopping is a great way to give your curls more definition and keep frizz under control. It’s a popular curly hair technique that involves wrapping your mane in a cotton T-shirt while it dries.
If plopping flattens your natural curl pattern, you can try plopping your curls until nearly dry and then using your diffuser for the last part.
Minimize Heated Styling
Heat will damage your strands, so let your hair air dry whenever possible and keep heated styling tools for occasional use.
If you want to cut down drying time, drying your hair with a diffuser will give you better curl definition and volume. It also causes less damage to your strands than direct heat from a blow dryer.
Always apply a heat protectant before you use heated styling tools, and use a medium heat setting on your blow dryer. You can increase the speed if you want to dry your hair faster.
For best results, you can flip your hair upside down and lift it at the roots to give your curls more body.
Tame Frizz
Medium hair can be prone to frizz, but the products you use will depend on your curl pattern. Try using lightweight products to smooth frizz on straight hair or use heavier creams and serums on wavy or curly hair.
Sleep On Silk Or Satin
You can protect your hair overnight by wearing a silk bonnet or wrap, sleeping on a silk pillowcase, or using a satin scrunchie to tie your hair into a high ponytail.
This will reduce the friction caused by individual hair strands rubbing against each other while you sleep.
Choosing The Best Products For Medium Curly Hair
Medium texture hair gives you the greatest choice of hair care products, and you might have to try out a few different products before you find the perfect way to take care of your hair.
In addition to your hair’s texture, you’ll also need to consider your hair type, hair porosity, and hair density.
Not sure which hair porosity you have? Our Guide to Hair Porosity explains it all!
For example, if you have medium texture and low density hair, you might need a lightweight volumizing product like Marc Anthony Strictly Curl Enhancing Styling Foam, which also controls frizz. You should steer clear of heavy oils and butters.
On the other hand, if you have Type 4b hair with medium texture, you’ll need to give your coily hair extra moisture by using rich hair masks and deep conditioner treatments like Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask.
If you have a variety of textures or hair types, you can dilute products with a little water before you apply them to areas of fine hair.
Sticking to sulfate-free shampoos will reduce the risk of your medium texture strands drying out. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo is a great choice for medium texture curly hair.
You can freshen up between washes with a dry shampoo like Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo which instantly soaks up excessive oil.
Finally, remember to maintain the protein/moisture balance in your strands through moisturizing hair masks and protein treatments. If your medium texture hair is becoming brittle, it could be a sign that it’s suffering from protein overload. In this case, opting for protein-free products would be a good choice.
FAQs
If you’ve still got queries about medium texture hair, these frequently asked questions might help:
What Is The Strongest Texture Of Hair?
Coarse strands are thicker than medium or fine hair, making them stronger and less prone to breakage.
Can Medium Hair Become Coarse Hair?
Hair texture is often determined by genetic factors, so there isn’t much you can do to influence it. However, chemical processing, like bleach or hair dye, can make your hair strands thicker or coarser.
However, this kind of chemical processing also makes your hair more brittle and prone to split ends and breakage, so it needs to be considered carefully.
Can You Have Different Textures At The Same Time?
Many people have different textures on different parts of their heads. It can be difficult to determine what your hair needs, but the easiest option is to choose products that suit the texture that covers most of your head.
Then, you can apply more product to areas of coarse hair or dilute products before you apply them to fine hair areas.
The Bottom Line
Along with hair density, hair porosity, and hair type, hair texture is one of the essential characteristics that help you choose the best products and styling techniques to keep your tresses looking fabulous.
Medium texture hair isn’t easily damaged like fine hair or prone to dryness like thick hair. And if you’re blessed with medium texture hair, you can choose from a much wider range of hair styles and products than if you have fine or coarse hair.
Picking products for your specific hair texture, type, porosity, and density will help you achieve quality hair care. You might have to try a few different things before you work out what suits your hair best. The good news is that understanding these characteristics will help you achieve beautiful, healthy hair.