Going outside or to bed with wet hair does not increase the risk of becoming sick. However, warm and damp environments, such as a pillow in contact with a person's wet hair, may lead to infections on the scalp or face. Hair performs the following roles: mechanical protection for the skin from the external environment.
Unless your hair is extremely thick, curly, and tends to mat up, air drying is totally fine. Bacteria grows out of control if the hair and scalp stays warm and wet for a long time and that doesn't happen if the hair is down and loose.
Breakage isn't the only issue associated with going to bed with wet hair. “Apart from potential breakage and split ends, going to bed with wet hair can also contribute to the development of fungal infections on your scalp,” says Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida.
Dandruff is caused by a microbe that's always present on your scalp whether your hair is wet or dry. The microbe thrives best in warm, damp environments, so going to bed with wet hair could make it more likely that you'll experience scalp issues.
But here's a surprising fact: Air drying can actually cause more damage to your hair than blow drying it. “It may seem counterintuitive since we're all aware of heat damage. However, blow drying is actually gentler on most hair types,” explains hairdresser Dejan Garz.
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.
While it's true that excessive heat can cause damage to the surface of the hair strands, air-drying can cause trauma to that inner layer, per the study. As Dr. Longsworth explained, when the cell membrane complex layer swells, it can weaken the hair over time.
When hair is wet, it absorbs water and swells. This causes the hair shaft to become more porous, which makes it easier for water to penetrate the hair and cause damage. Wet hair is also more prone to stretching, which can cause the hair to break or split.
The first is that wet hair creates a warm, moist environment in and around the pillows. Over the course of 7+ hours, that could contribute to a fungal infection in your scalp (or at the very least, make dandruff worse). Secondly, hitting the sheets with damp hair means your pillow is about to get really gross.
When used timely and moderately, blow drying is better for scalp and hair. Air drying (like over washing) over an extended period can cause scalp to compensate, over produce oil leaving hair more oily, and causing you to fight the imbalance with more and more shampoo for oily scalp and 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.
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.
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.
Believe it or not, the simple act of repeatedly wetting your hair alone can be bad for your hair. "Wetting the hair repeatedly (and then using heat to dry it) can weaken the cortex and cuticle layers of the hair," Longsworth says. "And if the hair stays wet for extended periods of time, hygral fatigue can be an issue."
“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.”
Do you have to wash your hair after exercise? According to Dr Zainab Laftah, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, sweat and oil can build up after exercise and create a film on the scalp over time. "This can eventually lead to something called seborrheic dermatitis," says Dr Laftah.
Sleeping with wet hair tied up in a tight bun or ponytail can increase the strain on those fragile follicles, so it's best to steer clear of styles like these at night. But even if you sleep with your wet hair freely flowing, you might still experience breakage.
Sleeping with AirPods can lead to the accumulation of earwax and moisture in the ear canal. This environment is conducive to bacterial growth, increasing the risk of ear infections. Extended use without proper cleaning can exacerbate this issue, potentially leading to more serious ear health problems.
The longer your hair stays in contact with water the worse the damage can be. Basically your hair is at its most vulnerable when wet & letting it air-dry can cause more damage than using a blow dryer on low heat.
Factors Affecting Hair Weight
Moisture content also affects weight; wet hair can weigh up to twice as much as dry hair due to water absorption.
Yes, there is no harm in washing hair daily with plain treated water but prefer cold water. You need to check for excess chlorine or bleach in water which may cause dryness and split ends on repeated exposure.
“Keeping your hair wet for long periods of time (for example, overnight or air drying on a regular basis) can cause hygral fatigue, which is damage to the hair from excessive swelling,” explains trichologist Stephanie Sey on behalf of Nizoral.
Dryness and damage are two very common haircare woes. You'll know it when you see (and feel) it - split ends, frizz, breakage, dullness. Unfortunately, it is not possible to “repair” damaged hair as it is not a living tissue, so it can't heal itself.
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.