Why is my hair so bad after waking up?

Author: Millie Haley  |  Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2025

When you move around while sleeping, your hair rubs on itself and the pillowcase, causing friction that disrupts the hair cuticle and leads to frizz, breakage, and split ends over time. A lack of moisture in the hair also contributes to a frizzy appearance.

Why is my hair bad when I wake up?

Waking up with messy hair is quite common and can be attributed to several factors: Sleep Position: The way you sleep can cause your hair to become tangled or flattened. If you move around a lot during the night or sleep on your side, your hair can get twisted and matted.

How to fix bad hair after waking up?

To fix bed head, dampen the area with water, apply a pomade or cream, use a hair dryer to dampen cowlicks, and brush out the section in question. Hurtado recommends tying hair up in a loose top knot, loosely braiding it, or wearing a silk bonnet to keep it secure while sleeping.

Why is my hair so dirty when I wake up?

Sebum Production: Your scalp produces natural oils (sebum) to keep hair moisturized. Overnight, this oil can accumulate, especially if you have naturally oily hair or an oily scalp. Sleep Position: If you sleep with your hair against a pillow, it can trap oils and dirt, making your hair feel greasier.

What is it called when you wake up with bad hair?

We've all woken up with bedhead at some point or another. Is there a way to prevent it--especially before your big work meeting? Learn here. Bedhead breaks a lot of people's hearts. A 2017 survey revealed that 68% of women are unhappy with their hair.

GET RID OF DRY & FRIZZY HAIR

Why do I wake up with a bad head?

"Poor sleep quality can cause headaches, and improved sleep quality can help relieve them," Shadbehr told Self. Taking over-the-counter pain medication too often or too long also can cause morning headaches because the body goes through withdrawal overnight.

What is hair OCD?

Overview. Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh), also called hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition. It involves frequent, repeated and irresistible urges to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. You may try to resist the urges, but you can't stop.

Is it good to let your hair get greasy?

It's best to prevent your hair from becoming too greasy to keep the scalp healthy. Sebum is the natural oil produced by the scalp that helps keep the skin moisturised and healthy. However, if the scalp starts to become built up with excess oil and grease, this can lead to itching, redness, and dandruff.

How to identify hair type?

HAIR FORMATION
  1. If it dries without any bends or curls, then it's Straight (1).
  2. If it dries with bends or an “S” shape, it's categorized as Wavy (2).
  3. When it dries and you see curls/loops, it's Curly (3).
  4. If it dries with coils or compacted spirals, it's Tight Curly (4).

How do I stop waking up with greasy hair in the morning?

  1. Identify your hair type. ...
  2. Use a shampoo specifically designed for oily roots. ...
  3. Use a clarifying treatment once a week. ...
  4. Clean your pillowcases. ...
  5. Use dry shampoo at the right time of day. ...
  6. Avoid really hot showers. ...
  7. Rule out any potential underlying conditions.

How to hydrate hair overnight?

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.

How often should you wash your hair?

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.

What is a bed head?

hair that is messy because you have just gotten out of bed: She emerged from the house the next morning with a serious bedhead.

Why is my hair ruined after sleeping?

We all love our beauty sleep, but it could be what is damaging your strands. The common causes of hair damage during sleep are the usual culprits, including friction from tossing and turning, the hair becoming tangled and snapping, and the loss of moisture absorbed by your pillowcase!

How do you wake up with perfect hair in the morning?

How To Wake Up with Gorgeous Hair Every Morning
  1. 1) Don't sleep with damp hair. ...
  2. 2) Smooth before you snooze. ...
  3. 3) Use the right brush. ...
  4. 4) Scrunch your curls. ...
  5. 5) Sport an accessory. ...
  6. 6) Pump up the volume. ...
  7. 7) Sidestep creases. ...
  8. 8) Pin your bangs.

How to get hair less frizzy?

10 FACTORS WHICH CAUSE FRIZZ – AND HOW TO CALM FRIZZY HAIR
  1. Get rid of split ends. ...
  2. Don't wash your hair with hot water. ...
  3. Wash your hair with a frizz-fighting shampoo. ...
  4. Condition frizzy hair without adding weight. ...
  5. Use a weekly hair mask for deeper nourishment. ...
  6. Dry your hair gently. ...
  7. Smooth on a serum while your hair's wet.

What is the rarest hair type?

Type 1A is the rarest hair type and is stick-straight without even a hint of a wave.

How to make hair grow quicker?

9 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HAIR GROW FASTER
  1. Trim your hair. ...
  2. Eat protein-rich foods. ...
  3. Take a hair-boosting supplement. ...
  4. Use a hair growth serum. ...
  5. Use a weekly hair mask. ...
  6. Take care after washing your hair. ...
  7. Always use heat protection. ...
  8. Protect your hair from the elements.

What are the 7 types of hair?

7 Types of Hair
  • Straight Hair. Straight hair is smooth and typically shines due to its ability to reflect light. ...
  • Wavy Hair. Wavy hair sits between straight and curly, often forming an S-shaped pattern. ...
  • Curly Hair. ...
  • Coily Hair. ...
  • Fine Hair. ...
  • Medium Hair. ...
  • Thick Hair.

Does wetting hair make it less greasy?

Warm water helps to soften the grease, but it doesn't wash it away on its own. You need to use a shampoo to properly clean your hair and scalp.

What happens if you never wash your hair?

While you definitely want some natural oils to remain in your hair, not washing your hair will allow oil, dirt and grime to build up on your scalp. This can lead to a greasy appearance and unpleasant odours, as well as conditions such as dandruff and an itchy scalp.

Does short hair get oily faster?

The mass of oil that your scalp produces is the same no matter your length of hair. Short hair may appear greasier faster, though, because there is a higher oil to hair ratio, so you're likely to notice it sooner than on longer hair.

Is hair picking ADHD?

Why do people pull their hair or pick their skin? Sometimes it is related to anxiety but not always. It can be more common in kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sometimes it's a way of soothing.

What is hair stimming?

Stimming refers to repetitive behaviors or movements that you may use to help cope with emotions. One example of a stim is twirling your hair when you feel bored. ( Photo credit: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

What is hair anxiety?

Trichotillomania is a condition where you feel a strong urge to pull out your hair — typically from your head and eyelashes. Pulling hair out can temporarily release tension, giving you a feeling of relief. You may find that stress triggers your hair-pulling, or you may do it when you feel relaxed.

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