5 Stunning Benefits of Whipped Shea Butter for Type 4C Hair & Type 4 Hair

Black Woman with Type 4 Curly Hair Thinking About the Benefits of Shea Butter for Type 4C

Whether you have luscious 4C hair natural curls, 4B natural hair, or 4A natural hair, whipped shea butter is the perfect natural solution. Native to Western Africa, shea butter is the miraculous edible extract harvested from the seed of the shea tree. Considering its Afro roots, it comes as no surprise that nutrient-rich shea butter is perfect for all types of Type 4 hair. 

Ready to unlock the true potential of your luscious curls? Let’s crack the nut (shea nut) and explore why shea butter works for all types of hair

What is Shea Butter (Vitellaria Paradoxa)?

Raw African shea nuts from the shea butter tree being held in African woman's hands.

Shea butter is derived from the fruit of the Vitellaria Paradoxa tree. The kernels of the shea tree are carefully grounded, roasted, and boiled to create a type of foam that is gathered from the surface. 

Once it cools, it turns into raw shea butter — a vibrant moisturizer and conditioner for your curly Type 4 hair. Shea butter is loaded with a high concentration of vitamins, fatty acids, Vitamins A, E, and F, triglycerides, cetyl esters, and more. It boasts antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, acne-prevention qualities, and anti-inflammatory properties, especially for eczema and psoriasis.  

What Is Type 4 Coily, Curly Hair (Type 4A, Type 4B, & Type 4C Natural Hair)

Type 4 natural hair is the beautiful, Afro-textured, coily, curly, and luscious natural hair God graced you with. While stunning, Type 4 hair can be spongy in texture and naturally dry

The strands form in small, tight zig-zag curl patterns from the scalp. And if you have Type 4 hair — especially Type 4C — you know all too well about shrinkage. 

In general, there are three different types of Type 4 hair. How do you know what type of Type 4 hair you have? Here are a few quick-hitting highlights about each type of hair. 

Infographic explaining the different types of Type 4 natural black hair, comparing Type 4A vs Type 4B vs Type 4C.

Type 4A Natural Hair

Type 4A natural hair has more S-patterned, springy, and dense coils that have a similar circumference as a crochet needle. Type 4A is very tightly curled and offers a clearly visible curl pattern. When stretched out, Type 4A hair will have the least shrinkage. Who has Type 4A hair? Check out Yaya DaCosta’s beautiful Type 4A mane.  

Type 4B Natural Hair 

Type 4B natural hair is very densely packed and can be styled in a number of ways. Type 4B hair has tight coils that are more in a Z pattern. However, the coils in those with Type 4B are not as defined without using styling products. Who has Type 4B hair? Check out Teyonah Parris’s luscious Type 4B locks. 

Type 4C Natural Hair 

Those with Type 4C hair textures may confuse it with Type 4B. However, with 4C, the tightly-wound strands have a very zig-zag pattern and are more fragile. Type 4C hair experiences more shrinkage than other textures. In fact, Type 4C hair experiences about 75% or more shrinkage than Type 4A or Type 4B, which is why whipped shea butter is one of the best natural hair products for Type 4C hair. Who has Type 4C hair? You don’t have to look any further than Lupita Nyongo’o

Raw Shea Butter vs Whipped Shea Butter: Which Is Better for Type 4C & Type 4 Natural Hair Curl Patterns?

Black Woman with curly hair thinking if she should use whipped shea butter vs raw shea butter.

Whipped shea butter is a combination of raw shea butter with additional nutrients and oils. This natural butter has been carefully whipped until it achieves a smooth and fluffy texture.

While raw shea butter can be hard and difficult to manage, whipped shea butter is much easier to apply to Type 4C or any other Type 4 hair.  Whipped shea butter is a preferred solution for natural hair because it more easily spreads through strands of Type 4C, 4A, or 4B hair. As an added bonus, the best whipped shea butter features premium oils and additives that boast its own unique set of benefits for your hair. 

Whether you have goddess braids, twists, curtain bangs, sister locks, or any other style, whipped shea butter works wonders. Here are some of the top benefits of using shea butter or whipped shea butter on your Type 4 hair. 

1. Lock Moisture in Your Type 4C or Type 4 Hair & Scalp with Shea Butter

The incredible staying power of shea butter has been long documented. In one study, participants reported feeling the moisturizing effects of a 5% shea-based product for up to eight hours after it was applied. Keep in mind that Butter by Q's formula incorporates exponentially more shea than what was used in the aforementioned study. 

In addition to being great for your skin, shea butter is extremely moisturizing for the scalp and hair. While everyone can use this wonder moisturizer to lock in moisture, people with curly and coarse hair can truly unlock the benefits and lock in moisture. When using shea butter on your hair, it works as a sealant to lock in moisture, which can help reduce the shrinkage Type 4C hair is notorious for. 

2. Shea Butter Can Help Reduce Scalp Irritation

An itchy scalp can be much more than a head-scratcher. In fact, it can feel as if your scalp is on fire. Fortunately, Mother Nature has a remedy. Shea butter features several anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce scalp irritation and reduce dryness. Whipped shea butter can even help alleviate dandruff on the scalp or dandruff in the beard (beardruff).  Best of all, shea butter's healing effect works without clogging your pores. Shea butter is safe to use on all types of hair, including:

  • Color treated hair
  • Dry hair
  • Damaged hair 

3. Say Hello Shea Butter — Bye, Bye Frizzy 4C Hair

Shea butter functions like a natural conditioner for your Type 4C hair. As such, it acts like food and nourishment for each strand. Shea hydrates and carefully envelopes your hair with pure goodness while working to reduce frizz. 

The fatty acids in shea butter can also help bolster the shine and luster of your hair while protecting it from heat damage that is often a side effect of blow drying and flat irons. 

4. Prevent Breakage & Project Your Type 4 Hair with Shea Butter

In addition to moisturizing your hair, it's also proven to prevent and reduce breakage. The high fatty acid content of shea butter allows it to easily penetrate your hair to help with breakage. 

And this can be especially important during hot seasons. Research suggests that shea butter contains UV protection, which means applying it regularly can protect your beautiful locks from damaging UV rays. 

5. Shea Butter Leaves Type 4A, 4B, and 4C Hair Feeling Softer

Whether you have Type 4B, Type 4A, or Type 4C, one thing is for certain, you want soft hair. And when you use shea butter consistently, it can morph your hair into a silkier, softer mane that you (and your significant other) will want to play in all day. 

While shea butter is best for medium to coarse hair, it’s also ideal for porous hair because it creates a thicker barrier that reduces the rate your cuticles lose moisture to the environment. 

Show Your Natural Black Hair Love with Butter by Q’s Premium Whipped Shea Butter

You are beautifully made — from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. And it’s only fair that you love and care for every gorgeous strand of hair on your head. Whether you have Type 4A, Type 4B, Type 4C, or any other variation, you owe it to yourself to use Butter by Q’s 100% natural, plant-based, nutrient-rich, whipped shea butter for your hair and skin

Unlike any other product on the market, we’ve purposefully chosen the best 100% natural ingredients that work to strengthen Type 4A, Type 4B, and Type 4C hair and offer a full range of benefits. 

In every jar of Butter by Q’s whipped butter, you will find premium nutrients, including:

  • Raw, Unrefined Shea Butter
  • Raw, Unrefined Mango Butter
  • Organic Jojoba Oil
  • Organic Rosehip Oil
  • Organic Apricot Oil
  • Organic Avocado Oil
  • Proprietary Blend of Plant-Based Essential Oils

While shea butter alone does wonders for Type 4 hair, each additional premium oil and nutrient carries its own standalone benefits. 

Ready to experience the amazing benefits of our whipped butter and Itch-Away Moisturizing Serum for yourself? 

Use Code Here4Hair22 to unlock free shipping and healthier hair.

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