You probably know that going to bed with wet hair isn't the best idea—doing so can leave your strands frizzy, tangled, and unmanageable come morning. But sometimes, it's unavoidable, like after a late-night workout class.
Try sleeping with your hair in a loose bun on top of your head. This can keep your hair from getting tangled and frizzy while you sleep.
As we explored above, your hair is at its most vulnerable when it is wet. A tight french braid or a knotted, messy bun can potentially lead to hair loss and breakage. If you're not comfortable sleeping with it down, a very loose braid or a loose twisted bun is best. Try to use a silk or satin scrunchie to secure it.
Instead of using a scrunchy, try loosely braiding your hair. This can help keep it straighter without causing too much tension. You can wrap your hair around your head and secure it with bobby pins or a soft hair wrap. This keeps your hair flat and straight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Tying your hair in a tight bun can apply pressure to the scalp and create tension on the hair shaft when lying down," Lernberger notes. The worst culprit, he says, "is an elastic hair band, which can lead to breakage over time, especially if your hair is already weak or prone to breakage.
Styling drenched hair will only drag out your dry time, and all that wetness makes hair prone to damage and frizz. For fast air drying, soak up excess water with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt. Remember the rule of thumb: try to get hair at least 30 percent dry before applying styling products.
Dry, winter weather can also lead to frizz by creating staticky friction. Rough towel-drying, pulling, over-brushing, and heat styling all take a toll on your hair's health. Hot irons not only dry your hair out, but they cause thermal damage to the cuticle.
To get the most out of it overnight, try applying a moisturizing hair mask such as Colour Fanatic Instant-Deep Conditioning Mask on freshly washed damp hair. You can either loosely tie up your hair in a ponytail or wrap it in a warm towel. The heat this creates can help the mask work as you sleep.
The healthiest hairstyles are gentle and avoid tightness. Loose buns, braids, or wrapping your hair are all great options. Pair them with a moisturizing product like GK Hair's ThermalStyleHer Cream for added protection.
“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.”
In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen). This is a classical example of ringworm (tinea capitis) in a young child.
Drying your hair after a shower may seem like a simple task. However, it's a crucial step in maintaining the health and appearance of your hair. After showering, your wet hair is in a fragile condition. It becomes more vulnerable to breakages and other damages.
When it's humid, the hair shaft absorbs moisture from the air, which causes it to swell. The increased volume makes the hair cuticle stand away from the shaft, leading to a rough, frizzy texture. And finally, damaged hair and split ends can cause hair to get frizzier overnight.
The key is to use products like dry shampoo, hair mists, and styling balms to absorb excess oil, add volume, and redefine your hair's shape. A quick spritz of dry shampoo at your roots can instantly freshen up your hair by soaking up the oils. For extra volume and texture, a styling mousse can be your best friend.
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.
Instead of drying your hair with a towel post-shower, swap it for a cotton T-shirt. “When hair is wet, it becomes weaker and softer,” explains hairstylist Isabella Vázquez. “If we use a regular towel to dry it, the grooves of the towel become aggressors to the cuticle of the hair.
Getting a good deep conditioning treatment once a week will nourish your hair and restore its natural shine. If you have very dry hair, doing a hot oil treatment once a month will help moisturize it. Wash your hair, dry it with a towel and apply your favorite hair oil.