Classification system for hair types
The Andre Walker Hair Typing System, also known as The Hair Chart, is a classification system for hair types created in the 1990s by Oprah Winfrey's stylist Andre Walker. It was originally created to market Walker's line of hair care products but has since been widely adopted as a hair type classification system. Walker's system includes images of each hair type to aid classification. The system has been criticized for an apparent hierarchy which values Caucasian hair over other hair types. In 2018 the system was the subject of episodes of the podcasts "99% Invisible" and "The Stoop".
Types.
The system is split into four types with subtypes labeled A, B and C for some of the types. The system has added new subtypes since its original version to Type 1.
Evaluation.
There has been a lot of debate in the black/curly hair community over the validity of the classification. The Walker system has been judged an improvement on some earlier systems that ranked black hair as less desirable, but is criticized for not taking into account the full variation in density and scalp types or that people's hair can vary on different parts of their heads.
Research in the "International Journal of Women's Dermatology" has suggested Walker's curl-classification system may be useful in conversations about alopecia and other health conditions.