How to Protect Hair While Sleeping

Healthy hair consists of following many beauty rituals but most of us tend to overlook the night time routine. When it comes to hair, the way you sleep is as important as the amount of care you give it during the day. Yes, it matters how you protect your hair while sleeping. During sleep, hair can get damaged in many ways resulting in hair breakage and hair loss. 

Protect Hair While Sleeping: Why Should You Do It? 

While sleeping at night, the hair can get dragged, tangled while getting rubbed over on the pillow case. The pillow sheets can suck the moisture from your hair strands and air can also dry out the hair’s cuticles making it prone to breakage. Also, during sleep, the hair and your pillowcase causes friction which can result in split ends and hair breakage. If you do not protect your hair while sleeping, it can cause common hair problems such as: 

  • Dry hair 
  • Split ends
  • Hair breakage 
  • Frizzy hair and flyaways
  • Brittle hair 
  • Pulled out hair

Ways to Protect Hair While Sleeping

You don’t have to worry about using elaborate ways to protect hair while sleeping. Making small changes to your nighttime routine can make a big difference. Here are some of the best ways to protect your hair while sleeping. 

black man with curly hair

Keep Your Hair Moisturized

When sleeping, your hair loses a lot of moisture, so it is important to keep your hair moisturized by using the right products. Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to massage your hair and lock the moisture in. While applying hair oil, you can wash it off in the morning, but the same does not have to be done for leave-in conditioners. Using hair moisturizing products also means that you should avoid blow drying your hair before going to bed as it makes your hair dry and frizzy. 

Buy a Silk Pillowcase

Get a silk or a satin pillowcase to protect your hair. When you lay your head on your pillow, the tossing and turning can cause your hair to get tangled and frizz out. Cotton or other fabrics can also cause your hair to get static which can cause flyaways when you wake up. It also sucks out the moisture from your hair, leaving you with dry and brittle hair. Silk has a smooth surface which helps to prevent frizzy hair and keep the moisture locked into your hair. As a bonus, a silk pillowcase is also good for your skin as it prevents wrinkles and acne. 

Do Not Over Manipulate Hair With Styling 

This advice works especially for curly and wavy hair. Do not over manipulate your hair but instead, try protective hairstyles which do not affect the hair too much. Over manipulation can be caused by using too many products, repeatedly styling your hair or wearing tight braids. This causes hair strands to break easily and make it difficult to grow hair as the hair roots get weak. When you sleep with over manipulated hair, these negative effects can take a heavy toll and cause more damage. 

black girl with curly hair in bed

Don't Go To Bed With Wet Hair 

Listen to your grandma’s advice and prevent going to sleep with wet hair. Not only is it bad for your health as wet hair can cause your head to get cold and get you sick, it is also damaging to the hair. Wet hair is fragile and can be vulnerable to damage. When the wet hair rubs on the pillow, it can cause hair fall and breakage. The hair can also become tangled during sleep and the next morning, you find yourself fighting with unruly hair. 

If you shower before bed, make sure that your hair is dried with the help of a microfiber towel or blow dry it in low heat after using a heat protectant. 

Sleep With a Silk Bonnet 

Wearing a silk bonnet before you go to bed is the best way to protect hair while sleeping. It will help your hair to cause less friction with the pillow. A silk hair cap or a scarf wrapped around your hair will prevent tangling of hair and reduce the breakage. It also stops the hair from falling on your face and moving around a lot. You have less friction between the strands of hair and this prevents split ends. 

Besides taking care of your hair during the night, it is also important to maintain a good hair care routine during the day. Use a leave-in conditioner like Thick Leave-in hair conditioner to provide moisture to your hair, nourish and soften dry and damaged hair and to protect your hair. 

If you want to learn more about hair care tips for all types of hair, straight, wavy or curly, follow Thick Leave-in’s blogs!
Back to Digital Magazine/Blog