What does it mean to have coarse hair, how can you tell, and what can you do to tend to the strand’s needs? Our explainer. Coarse hair is also often dry (see: the misunderstanding above). “It has the tendency to need extra moisture and also loses moisture quickly, while the ends dry and split much easier than other hair types,” he says. Logically, this makes sense. If your hair strand has a wider width, it will require more oils to keep it conditioned—perhaps more oils than your scalp can naturally produce. Whereas someone who does not have coarse hair will likely have no problem keeping their strands hydrated—in fact, they might even complain about having greasy hair. Of course, anyone can have dry hair. And dryness can be the result of a number of factors including climate, your scalp, products, and so on. So if you can’t simply use moisture levels as a clue, how can you actually know if you have coarse hair? Look for hydrating shampoos and thick, emollient conditioners and masks in the shower (“Because it needs more moisture, it’s a great idea to incorporate that from the first steps of styling, which is in the shower,” says Francis), opt for hydrating leave-ins, and seal in moisture with natural oils. Now the specifics of these products will depend on your exact type—from straight to curly—as different strand patterns have different needs. (Figure out your curl pattern here.) For example, someone with coarse straight hair should look for products that have softening properties that allow for a movement and breathability, while those with curls should look for products that have more hold to amplify their ringlets or coils. For more guidance, check out how to air-dry your hair.
