As the body’s largest organ, the skin performs various roles, ranging from keeping us protected against the elements to managing our temperature. It unites everyone with these standard functions. However, it also varies in how it cosmetically looks. For example, the tone of the skin can determine how quickly you can develop sunspots or wrinkles and influence whether or not you’ll be more vulnerable to hyperpigmentation.
Hair is similar in that it serves different functions, such as regulating body temperature and protecting against the sun and foreign matter like dust. Thus, it makes sense that both hair type and skin tone will affect your beauty regime.
Hair types
There are more hair types than people believe, and Andre Walker, a hair stylist, is credited for devising an organized system classifying hair into the following curl patterns:
- Straight hair or type 1
- Wavy hair or type 2
- Curly hair or type 3
- Coily hair or type 4
Furthermore, these categories are divided into subordinate or secondary categories based primarily on the looseness or tightness of their coils and curls. It may sound simplified, but like the majority of attempts to characterize or define human characteristics, it’s more complicated than it sounds. For example, you could have a combination of different subtypes with different treatment needs. And you’ll need to understand every type and their needs to style your hair well and keep it in excellent condition.
Skin tones
As its name suggests, skin tone refers to the color of the organ’s surface. It’s usually determined by how much skin pigment or melanin is present in its uppermost layer. It plays a critical role in UV light protection and demonstrates antioxidant activities, as it scavenges for reactive and oxygen species that’s produced via ultraviolet damage. The four different skin types are:
- Deep
- Medium
- Fair
- Light
There are also different skin undertones: neutral, warm, and cool. There are various reasons why it’s vital to be aware of your skin tones, such as cosmetic and make-up use, clothing preferences, and hair color. Some aesthetic procedures will also vary depending on what tone of skin you have. For instance, the best hair removal laser for dark skin might be different from options for those with lighter tones. The same goes for cosmetic products like sunscreens.
Typically, those with darker complexions will have weaker sunscreen products because they have more melanin, which means they won’t get burned by the sun quickly. Conversely, those with lighter tones can get burned easier, meaning they’ll need stronger products to protect them against the sun.
Conclusion
Skin tone and hair type play critical roles, especially when it comes to daily beauty routines. After all, they can determine the ideal make-up and cosmetic products that will not only best suit your style and elevate your physical appearance, but can also keep you from selecting the wrong products that can do your hair more harm than good. For this reason, becoming intimately familiar with your skin and hair is vital.
