S
coily · type 4c

4c - Tightest Coils

The tightest coil pattern - no visible individual curl without stretching. Shrinkage often 75%+. The most specific routine requirements of any type.

Read the full 4c guide

What 4c usually looks like

  • No visible coil pattern without stretching
  • Shrinks 75%+ wet-to-dry
  • Densely packed, reads as texture from a distance
  • Highest moisture requirements of any type

Daily routine

  1. Low-sulfate shampoo weekly; co-wash between.
  2. Deep condition with heat, 20-30 min, every wash.
  3. Wet-detangle in 4-6 sections with conditioner in.
  4. LOC: leave-in → oil → cream. Generous layering.
  5. Protective styling + satin bonnet at night.

What to look for

4c is the moisture layering type. Nothing about this routine is optional.

Water-based leave-in

Water/aloe first, humectants, no drying alcohols
Any 'light' or 'wavy' leave-in - won't do enough

Sealing oil + rich cream

Castor, shea, jojoba; rich cream with natural butters
Mineral oil as sole seal, drying alcohols in cream

Common 4c mistakes

  • 01Trying to fight shrinkage with more product - shrinkage is structural, not solvable that way.
  • 02Skipping heat deep conditioning - the biggest retention move.
  • 03Dry detangling - guaranteed breakage.

Frequently asked questions

Scrunchie app

Now do it for real - your 4c routine, in the app

Scrunchie takes your 4c profile and turns it into a daily routine that adapts from photo analysis and check-ins. No more generic curly-hair advice.

Snap a photo

The app reads your hair from a daily picture: definition, frizz halo, dryness, volume.

Get a routine

Personalized to your curl type, porosity, and what the photo just showed. Wash days and refresh days.

Daily check-ins

Log how each step went. The routine adapts every day so it actually keeps up with your hair.

AppleGet Scrunchie

Free to download. iPhone only for now.