As it turns out, both experts agree that sleeping with wet hair won't necessarily cause greasy locks. However, Batzel explains that there are other factors for why sleeping with wet hair may make it seem as though your hair is greasier than normal when you wake up.
It is best to sleep with your hair down if your hair length is short. It also lets the air flow freely through your hair, which makes you sleep more comfortably. On the other hand, if you have long hair locks, it is recommended to tie your hair to prevent knots and breakage.
Embrace dry shampooing
Dry shampoo is one hair product to definitely have on your shelf. Simply spray a generous amount of dry shampoo into your hair before you sleep and overnight it will absorb the oils. Just remember to brush it out thoroughly in the morning and don't use this every night.
Braid your hair before going to sleep. This old trick works every time and is one of the best ways to wear your hair when sleeping. It not only protects your hair – stopping it from tangling and breaking – but also gives you gorgeous beachy waves the next day and cuts down on frizz.
Anyone who frequently wears a tightly pulled hairstyle can develop hair loss. In fact, there's actually a medical term for this type of hair loss. It's called traction alopecia (al-oh-pee-sha). You can reduce your risk of developing this type of hair loss by following these dermatologists' tips.
“I would recommend avoiding hot showers or baths before bed; using a shampoo designed for greasy hair; applying dry shampoo to the roots; tying your hair up to prevent the sebum traveling down the hair shaft; and making sure you're washing your pillowcases regularly to prevent buildup of grime and sweat,” Kate shares.
Hair Loss “Sleep is important for protein synthesis of your hair, as well as proper release of growth hormone and other hormones,” says Dr. Francesca Fusco, Clear Scalp & Hair dermatologist. You may have heard of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep and wake cycles.
For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
The short answer is no. Colds are caused by viruses, so you can't catch a cold from going outside with wet hair. And wet hair won't make you more attractive to germs. People often associate going outside with wet hair with getting sick because exposure to germs is more likely when you go outside.
On the other hand, washing your hair at night can be disadvantageous, too. For starters, your hair stays damp for a long time, and going to sleep while your hair is still wet can harm both your health and the quality of your hair. It is important that you dry your hair, comb it, tie it properly and then go to bed.
When it comes to pomade, as a rule of thumb – wash it out before bed! Hair products that you should wash out before bed include wax, gel and hairspray.
Sleeping with wet hair can lead to a host of problems for the scalp: unwanted bacteria, fungal infections, skin irritation, itchiness, dryness, redness, and dandruff," says hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care brand Miss Jessie's Original.
Going to sleep with wet hair can be bad for you, but not in the way your grandmother warned you. Ideally, you should be going to bed with completely dry hair to reduce your risk of fungal infections and hair breakage. Sleeping with wet hair could also result in more tangles and a funky mane to tend to in the morning.
In fact, while you sleep, dead skin on the scalp, sebum, dirt and bacteria accumulate on your pillowcase every night. After a few days, this build-up will in turn dirty your hair and your roots. As a result, your hair will be dirty and therefore oily in the morning when you wake up.
Fun fact: Humans usually shed as many as 50 to 100 hairs each day during the telogen phase, per the American Academy of Dermatology, and this loss is most often noticed when you're washing, brushing or running fingers through your hair.
Use a Silk Pillowcase
Yes, you've heard this tip a million times, but it rings particularly true for short hair. "Silk pillowcases are the way to go when wanting to avoid hair flips with short hair. They eliminate friction allowing you to wake up free of bedhead," hairstylist Caile Noble says.