“Wet hair is more fragile and prone to damage. Sleeping with wet hair can lead to increased friction against the pillow, causing breakage and weakening of the hair shaft. Moreover, a moist scalp can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, potentially leading to scalp issues.”
The short answer: Yes, it's bad for your hair to go to bed when wet. “Wet hair strands are much more fragile than dry hair strands,” explains Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.
Proper Drying and Conditioning: After wetting your hair, it's important to properly dry and condition it. Leaving your hair wet for extended periods of time can lead to dryness and damage. Make sure to gently towel dry or use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to remove excess moisture.
Yes, but it's best if you blot out as much excess moisture as possible. There is quite a difference between soaking wet hair and damp hair. Allowing hair to air dry is an excellent way to prevent heat or other styling damage. Just make sure that the roots are allowed to dry as much as possible before sleeping.
Sleeping with wet hair risks a fungal or bacterial infection on your scalp. The moisture remains trapped around your follicles and gives bacteria the perfect breeding ground. The warm, wet environment allows microbes to swarm! In addition, fungus and bacteria can contaminate your bedding and your sheets.
A fungal infection of the scalp by mold-like fungi is called tinea capitis. Tinea capitis (also called ringworm of the scalp) is a skin disorder that affects children almost exclusively. It can be persistent and very contagious. Symptoms may consist of itching, scaly, inflammed balding areas on the scalp.
Going to bed with damp hair can increase the risk of developing a fungal or yeast infection on the scalp, as yeast finds it easier to grow in warm or moist areas of the body.
One of the best & easy ways to dry your hair after washing, rather than waiting hours, is to leave it alone until it's about 75% dry. Once you've let nature run its course and your hair is slightly damp, grab your hair dryer and blow-dry your hair the remainder of the way.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
Wet Hair Can Cause Your Hair to Become Oily and Gritty
If you don't have time to dry your hair properly before bed, this sebum will stay on your strands and make them look greasy.
Allowing your hair to air dry as much as possible is the gentlest way to go. Air drying minimizes heat exposure and, subsequently, the risk of heat-induced damage.
Bottom line: Occasionally going to bed with wet hair isn't catastrophic. Just don't make it a regular practice. “Drying your hair to at least 75 percent before bed, using a microfiber towel, and applying heat protection for blow-drying can safeguard your hair and scalp health,” Dr.
Potential Drawbacks of Daily Hair Wetting
Moisture Loss: Excessive water exposure can strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage, especially for those with dry or damaged hair.
Is it OK to wear my bra to sleep? There's nothing wrong with wearing a bra while you sleep if that's what you're comfortable with. Sleeping in a bra will not make your breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy. And it will not stop breasts from growing or cause breast cancer.
The simple answer to this question is no – it is not possible for mould to grow in your hair. “This myth has likely arisen because mould is a type of fungus, and our scalp is naturally home to another type of fungus, a yeast called Malassezia,” explains Zoe Passam, Senior Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
Yes! Double shampooing is great for your hair as it ensures that both your locks and scalp are fully cleansed of excess oils and impurities, rather than leaving some behind as single shampooing often does.
“Less washing and altered scalp hygiene may also predispose the skin to infections with bacteria or fungi,” Dr. Camp explains. “If certain scalp conditions are left untreated, such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, it is possible that associated inflammation could damage hair and impact hair growth.”
But is sleeping with wet hair truly harmful? While it's not “bad” for your health in the sense of causing disease or permanent damage, the hair's increased fragility when wet can potentially lead to mechanical damage over time, especially if you toss and turn a lot during sleep.
Longsworth said those with damaged, color-treated, or high porosity hair would benefit from air-drying. Air-drying is also better for color-treated hair, as heat can strip the vibrancy if you aren't using color-safe hair care. If you choose to air-dry your hair, use protective hair care to keep your hair safe.
With constant use of heat, hair can become dehydrated and dry, which in turn creates a frizzy finish. For this reason, any time you blow dry hair you need to protect strands while also following proper techniques to cut down on damage.
However, there is no scientific evidence that wet hair directly causes any type of illness. Similarly, it has been long thought that exposure to cold temperatures causes the common cold, but there is little evidence to support that theory. Common colds can occur around two to three times per year in most adults.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a popular home remedy. It's often added to foods,1 and some people also apply it to their skin, scalp, or hair. It's known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral actions,2 and it may also offer benefits for scalp flaking or thinning hair.