2B Hair for Men: What Is It and How Do I Keep It Healthy?
2B hair is a type of wavy hair. It’s a common hair type for men in the UK because 40% of people of European descent have wavy locks [1]. Of the remaining 60%, 45% have straight hair, and 15% have curls [1].
If you’re curious about the best way to care for and style 2B hair for men, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore:
- What 2B hair for men is
- How to identify your hair type
- Challenges and tips for guys with 2B hair
- Whether 2B hair is linked to hair loss
What is 2B hair for men?
Men with 2B hair have naturally textured beachy waves. There are four main hair types, each of which has three subtypes.
The different types of hair are:
- Type 1 — straight
- Type 2 — wavy
- Type 3 — curly
- Type 4 — coily
Each main hair type is split into subtypes A, B, and C. Type 2A hair has soft waves, type 2B has medium-sized waves, and type 2C has tighter waves closer to curls. 1A hair is the straightest of all, while 4C is the most tightly coiled.
How to identify your hair type
To find your natural hair type, wash and condition your hair in the shower and let it air dry without applying any products. Observe whether your hair is naturally straight, wavy, curly or coily. Ask yourself which of these images is closest to your natural hair:
Type 1 hair
Type 2 hair
Type 3 hair
Type 4 hair
You have wavy hair if your hair is closest to the Type 2 image. Now ask yourself which of these images your hair is closest to:
Type 2A hair
Type 2B hair
Type 3 hair
If your hair is closest to the second image, you likely have type 2B hair. If you’re still unsure, take our comprehensive hair type quiz to find out which type you have.
Common challenges for guys with 2B hair
When it’s healthy, 2B hair is textured, with beachy waves. But like all wavy and curly hair types, 2B hair is prone to frizz, especially in humid weather. And this hair type can come with a few unique challenges — here are a few of them:
- 2B hair is relatively easy to straighten, but you may find your hair kinking in humid weather and trying to return to its natural wavy state.
- Waves are concentrated further down the hair shaft with type 2B hair, so you may develop knots and tangles from the mid-lengths to the ends.
- You may struggle with the volume at the roots because 2B hair is often fine, and waves start further down your hair shaft.
- Your hair may appear greasy if you use heavy products or too much product at the roots.
The best hair care tips for men with 2B hair
Getting the right hair care routine can help your natural beachy waves look incredible. Here are some of our top tips to get the most out of your 2B hair as a guy.
Wash your hair gently
With 2B hair, you should wash your hair every one or two days. Research shows concerns about hair damage from regular shampooing are unfounded [2], so there’s no need to worry.
Wavy hair is prone to tangles, so you should wash gently with shampoo and focus on your scalp. Condition your hair from the mid-lengths to tips, avoiding conditioner around the roots — this could be the reason your hair looks greasy.
Minimise heat
Overusing heat tools like hair dryers and straighteners can lead to heat-damaged hair. Let your hair air dry when possible, or use your hair dryer on low heat to reduce your risk of dry, brittle hair.
Try a silk pillowcase
Silk pillowcases can be a lifesaver when it comes to frizz. They feel luxurious and can reduce friction between your hair and the fabric, meaning less frizz.
Use medium-weight hair products
As a wavy hair type, 2B hair can get away with heavier product use than type 1 hair. However, it’s still at risk of looking greasy if you use too much product, especially around the roots.
Boost volume around the roots
2B hair can appear limp and lifeless around the root area because waves start further down. Try a lightweight volumising product or gently diffuse your hair upside down on a low heat.
Brush your hair carefully
Removing tangles from 2B hair can cause hair damage and hair breakage if you’re too rough. Use a detangling spray and gently tease out any knots with a wide-tooth comb.
Is 2B hair linked to hair loss?
2B hair is not specifically linked to hair loss. Your hair type does not affect your likelihood of experiencing hair shedding, but you may be losing hair for several other reasons. Here are some of the most common causes of hair loss:
- Androgenetic alopecia — Also known as male pattern baldness, this condition is the most common form of hair loss for men. It affects up to 80% of men by the age of 80 [3]. Early signs include a receding hairline and temple hair loss, which can progress to a bald spot on the crown, eventually leading to complete baldness in some cases.
- Telogen effluvium — This condition causes hair to move prematurely into the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle. This hair loss can be related to stress [4], childbirth, illness, hormonal changes and other triggering events.
- Alopecia areata — This autoimmune condition causes white blood cells to attack your hair follicles [5]. It causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and can sometimes lead to alopecia totalis (complete scalp baldness) or alopecia universalis (loss of all body and scalp hair).
- Scalp issues — Common scalp problems like scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp infections can cause hair loss.
- Medications — Some medications and medical treatments, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, can cause hair loss.
Can I have a hair transplant with 2B hair?
Congenital triangular alopecia (CTA) can be mistaken for several other hair loss conditions. Here are some of the most similar and how you can tell them apart from temporal triangular alopecia Hair transplants for curly and wavy hair, including 2B hair, are completely possible and usually very successful. Hair transplants can be performed on all hair types, including straight, curly, wavy, and coily hair textures [6]. If you are a good candidate for a hair transplant, getting the procedure done with type 2B hair should be no problem.
Hair loss treatment for 2B hair
Are you experiencing hair loss with type 2B hair? Our expert trichologists have experience treating hair loss across all hair types, from completely straight hair to tightly coiled Afro hair.
When you first come to our clinic, you’ll receive a specialised assessment for your wavy hair. Our hair doctors will examine you using diagnostic trichology tests (such as a hair pull test or blood tests for hair loss) and create a tailored treatment plan.
Treatment options may include Minoxidil, Finasteride, PRP hair treatment or a natural-looking hair transplant. All of these are suitable for type 2B hair as long as you fit the requirements for each treatment.
Want to restore your 2B locks to their former glory? Book a consultation at your nearest clinic location today.
Would you like to treat your temporal triangular alopecia?
If you are experiencing temporal triangular alopecia and have grown tired of hiding your bald patch, we are here to help. Book a consultation with one of our top trichologists at your most convenient clinic location. They will assess your hair loss and work with you to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment.
If you are interested in getting a natural-looking hair transplant, our experienced hair doctors will assess whether you can benefit from this procedure. The Wimpole Clinic is one of the leading hair transplant facilities in the UK, with a 50-year legacy of hair restoration excellence. See our results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant photo gallery.
Concerned about hair loss?
Book a free consultation with London’s leading hair clinic
FAQs
The best haircuts for 2B hair are rounded, graduated layers. These layers encourage your curls and add volume, making the most of your natural texture. If your hair’s lacking thickness, check out the best and worst hairstyles for men with thin hair.
2B hair is less oily than type 1 and 2A hair, but it’s still prone to looking greasy around the roots without proper care. Shampoo your scalp thoroughly and avoid applying conditioner to your roots or using heavy hair products to stop your hair from looking oily.
Type 4C hair, the driest and most tightly coiled of all hair types, is known for being particularly fragile. If you have 4C coils, you’ll need to take special care of your hair and use regular deep conditioning treatments to keep it healthy.
2B hair is relatively low maintenance, but it can be prone to tangles. If you don’t detangle your hair often enough, knots can form and you can experience hair breakage. This becomes more likely as your hair gets longer.