Sometimes it is easy to see the differences in hair.  If you have curly hair, you will take care of it differently than if your hair is straight.   But what about straight hair?  Are there any differences between the straight hair that whites have and that of Asians? 

How are Asian and Caucasian hair different? Even though straight Asian and Caucasian hair might appear the same at first glance, if you look closely, you will find several differences between them.  These include

• The number of cuticle layers
• The flatness of the cuticles
• The distance between each of the cuticles
• The way in which the hair breaks
• The reasons behind why the hair breaks
• Each hair type requires different methods of care

This article aims to explain the main differences between the hair of Asians and that of Caucasians.  We will explore some of the main characteristics of these hair types. Also, we will cover some of the different ways in which you can care for these two unique hair types.

How Is the Hair of Asian People Different?

You might wonder why some hair products are marketed toward Asian men and women.  It’s because of the differences that we will explore in the rest of this post. 

The Number of Cuticle Layers

Cuticles are the protective little areas that guard the inner protein structure of your hairs. Typical human hairs have around 5 to 10 layers of cuticles. Caucasian hair has closer to 5 layers of cuticles, whereas Asian hair has closer to 10 layers of cuticles. Asian hair cuticles are also thicker, wider, and more densely compacted than Caucasian hair.  

The Flatness of the Cuticles

White hair has flatter cuticles than Asian hair. Asian hair has cuticles that are laid down at a steeper angle. This angle causes these two types of hair to fall differently from the scalp. Asian hair has the appearance of being much fuller due to its genetical makeup and the way it falls on the head.

The Distance Between the Cuticles

The distance between the cuticle cells is much narrower in Asian hair than in Caucasian ones. The lesser distance gives the appearance of a much fuller head of hair.

How the Hair Breaks

When stretched or pulled, the cuticles on Caucasian hair tend to break into smaller pieces and then fall off. On the other hand, Asian hair tends to break off in large pieces that keep to their original shape. Caucasian hair is more fragile than Asian hair.

Why the Hair Breaks

The cuticles on Asian hair tends to fall off due to the adhesive which holds the cuticle cells together failing. When it comes to white hair, this adhesive holds much better. However, the cuticle itself begins to break first.  

What are the Typical Characteristics of Asian Hair and White Hair?

Different ethnicities have different hair types, and there are a few noticeable physical differences between Asian hair and Caucasian hair. The color, structure, texture, and even the way it implants into the scalp can differ between different ethnicities. Due to these differences, the hair of different ethnicities grows in different ways and at different speeds.

Asian Hair

Asian hair tends to usually be very straight and is most commonly dark brown or black. It usually grows perpendicular to the scalp. This hair type has the fastest growth rate – it tends to grow around 1.4 cm per month.

A typical strand of Asian hair tends to be quite round and even. Despite this, Asian hair has the lowest density of any ethnic hair types.

Caucasian Hair

Caucasian hair can be either straight, curly, or wavy. The color of Caucasian hair can vary from anywhere between blond and dark brown. This type of hair grows diagonally and tends to grow at a rate of 1.2 cm per month.

Caucasian hair strands are typically oval, and the density of this hair type is the highest of all the ethnic hair types, meaning that it is the fullest and thickets of all hair types.

Some Quick Facts About Asian Hair

Below is a list of some facts about Asian hair.

• It is twice the diameter and has a much thicker cuticle than white hair.
• Asian’s usually have between 80,000-140,000 scalp hairs.  However, they usually have fewer hairs per square centimeter than Caucasians.
• The thickness of the individual hair shafts gives the impression that Asians have much greater hair density.
• Asian hair grows faster than other ethnic hair types.
• Asians tend to shed fewer hairs per day and also experience less baldness than Caucasians.
• The greying of Asian hair tends to start much later in life than Caucasian hair.
• Asian women have an increased likelihood of experiencing overall hair thinning than Caucasians.
• Asian hair reacts faster to hair loss treatments.
• Asian hair has higher porosity levels, meaning it absorbs and retains moisture better.
• Asian hair is the most common hair type used for wigs and hair extensions as the hair is usually long, straight, and is rarely tampered with chemicals.
• Asian hair is thicker and quite often longer than Caucasian hair, which means that it can lose moisture more easily, and this can lead to dryness of the hair as well as split ends.

How to Care for Asian Hair

Asian hair is usually thicker and less dense than white hair. This can make it prone to frizzing and can also make it quite hard to manage. However, with the right care and washing techniques, even the most tangled and dull of Asian hair can be brought back to life and brought into tip-top shape.

Brush Before Washing

Before you wash Asian hair, you should always consider giving it a good brush through. This can be extremely helpful, especially for hair that becomes tangled very easily. Use a thick-toothed comb or a paddle brush to smoothen out your hair immediately before getting into the shower.

Don’t Have Hot Showers

Hot showers are not advised for any hair types (not to mention that hot showers are also bad for your skin). Try taking a warm shower instead. It is also a good idea to rinse your hair with cold water after washing to lock in the moisture. Low water temperature can help close the cuticle cells and add a glorious shine to the hair. If you do this, you will easily spot the difference it makes in no time. 

Make Sure You are Using the Right Shampoo

Everyone experiences bad hair days occasionally, and hair can often become frizzy and hard to manage. However, this can easily be fixed by making sure you are using the right type of shampoo.

To tame your frizzy hair and get the perfect shine to it, consider using a shampoo contains natural oils as part of its ingredients. For example, if you have frizzy hair, choose a shampoo with added coconut oil or neem oil. If you struggle with managing your hair, any shampoo that contains argan oil will be beneficial.

You should also think about how often you are washing your hair. Shampooing your hair too often can do more damage than good. As a good rule of thumb, you should aim to wash your hair no more than 2-3 times per week. In between washes, you can style your hair up or use dry shampoo to keep it looking and smelling fresh.

Make Your Hair Shine

If you feel like your natural hair color is becoming dull very quickly after washes, it might be worth looking at using a different conditioner on your hair. Luckily, there are many conditioners out there to choose from, specifically designed to help add luster and shine to your locks. If you are looking to add that extra bit of shine to your hair, you can also try using a shine spray or shine spritz.

If you do choose to use a shine spray or spritz, always focus on spraying the ends and lengths of your hair. Try to avoid spraying around the root area, as this may cause your scalp to become greasy or oily.

Consider Using Oils

Hair oils can be a huge lifesaver – especially if you have thick hair that is prone to frizzing. Not only are they great at keeping your hair under control and in a manageable condition, but some can also combat hair loss. 

Castor oil and Indian gooseberry oil are two examples of oils that can help to combat hair loss. Other oils, such as coconut oil, are also great for preventing scalp infections. Also, some oils, such as almond oil, are great for keeping the hair moisturized.

Try Using a Hair Mask

For gorgeous hair, consider adding the use of a hair mask into your regular beauty routine. Hair masks that are developed specifically for Asian hair use can nourish and tame your locks while keeping your hair incredibly healthy. Keep a lookout for hair masks that contain egg protein that helps to lessen the occurrence of split ends. If you already have split ends, egg protein will help to conceal them.

Hair masks act by adding moisture to the hair. They also help to promote growth and make your hair appear a lot shinier and healthier.

How to Care for Caucasian Hair

Every hair type is unique, and each type has its own set of specific rules on how to keep it looking and feeling the best it possibly can. Below is a list of tips on the best ways to care for Caucasian hair and tips on things you can do to keep Caucasian hair in the healthiest possible state it can be. 

Blast Out Your Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is great because it can help you keep your hair looking fresh in between washes, which means you do not have to wash your hair as often. This is great for keeping the hair healthy as the natural oils from your scalp protect your hair and help keep it healthy.

Using dry shampoo is a simple process – you just take your hair, spray a bit in it at the roots to soak up any grease, and the result is a perfectly fresh look. However, there is something you can do when dry shampooing that is a total game-changer.

The best thing you can do when applying dry shampoo is to apply it thoroughly at the roots and then blast it out using a hairdryer. Most people will simply rub it into the hair and then leave it there. However, you need to remove the product to get rid of all the excess dirt and grease. Once you have gotten rid of those, you will be left with perfectly clean looking, healthy hair.

Use Hair Masks

Using hair masks is incredibly beneficial to the health of your hair. The ingredients in hair masks push moisture into your hair strands and seal it in, leaving you with gorgeous, healthy-looking hair.

Simply apply a hair mask and leave it for the required time, and then rinse it off using warm water. You can also then do a quick blast with cold water to seal in the shine and leave your hair looking luscious.

Don’t Use Shampoo So Often

If you are using shampoo every single time you shower, you need to stop immediately. Washing your hair too often dries out your hair and leaves it dull, brittle, and easily breakable. Leaving your hair for a few days between washes allows for the natural oils in your scalp to nourish your hair and keep it healthy.

In order to keep your hair looking fresh between washes, use a little bit of dry shampoo or style your hair up in a cute look. The least amount of days you should aim to wash your Caucasian hair is every other day.

Don’t Apply Conditioner on Your Scalp

If your hair feels greasy soon after you have washed it, it might be due to how you apply conditioner. Instead of soaking it into your entire head of hair, you should instead aim to avoid the scalp. The best course of action is to aim for around three to four inches away from your scalp. This distance prevents the conditioner from weighing your hair down. 

When it comes to your scalp, it has natural oils that will keep it properly hydrated as much as it needs to be. This natural oil will help to protect your hair and keep it looking healthy.

Use the Right Type of Brush

Using one type of brush for everything is easy. However, it isn’t always best for your hair. You should have a collection of brushes for different uses.

Different brushes are designed for different uses. Boar-bristle brushes enhance the smoothness of your hair by polishing the cuticle layer of cells. You can also get wet brushes with soft bristles and flexible pads that gently detangle wet hair easily and quickly. Paddle brushes are designed to detangle longer hair, and Denman brushes are perfect for calming down static and provide great tension, which is optimal for styling. You can also get various sizes of round brushes that are designed to help build body and volume to your hair, as well as help straighten straight hair and enhance soft waves.

Don’t Pull Your Hair Back Too Tightly

The way in which you put up your hair could be causing major damage to it. This is especially true if you tend to put your hair back quite tightly. Whether you put your hair up in a ponytail, a bun, or a fancy updo, you are always best off taking it easy. If you pull your hair up too tightly, you could start seeing balding or other issues popping up over time. Pulling your hair back too far puts strain on the fine hairs at the front of the hairline, and this causes your hairline to become thinner and weaker.

Final Thoughts

We hope that this article has shed some light on the main differences between Asian hair and white hair. As you can see from above, there are several differences between these two hair types. This includes the genetic make up of the two hair types, their appearance, how the hair falls, how the hair breaks, and the methods needed to clean and maintain each type of hair.

We have provided you with all the information you need to know about these two hair types, along with some helpful tips on the best ways to care for and maintain these two different types of gorgeous hair. Try out some of our tips to keep your hair looking the best it possibly can!