Sleeping with wet hair can be tricky since it is way more vulnerable to damage when it´s wet & it kinda feels uncomfortable … but still, sometimes we just lack time or opportunity to dry it before bed. That´s why it is so important to take some steps to protect your hair when sleeping! Find here some genius tips to help you sleep with wet hair without causing harm!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #1: Towel dry it first
Try to dry your wet hair as much as possible with a towel before going to bed. Twist the towel carefully to absorb excess moisture. Try not to rub or pull on your wet hair. Since your hair is more vulnerable in this state, you need to be super gentle when drying or handling it. You shouldn´t use “regular” towels on wet hair, either. This brings us to the second point of how to sleep with wet hair.
Sleeping with Wet Hair #2: Use a Microfiber Towel
Instead of using a regular towel to dry your hair, use a microfiber towel to gently blot out excess water. Microfiber towels are better for wet hair because they are much softer and gentler than traditional cotton towels. This material reduces the risk of friction and breakage. Their fine fibers absorb water quickly, which minimizes the need for vigorous rubbing that can damage the hair cuticle.
This efficient absorption also reduces frizz and speeds up the drying time. Additionally, its lightweight design makes it easier to handle without pulling on your hair, ensuring a smoother, less damaging drying process. Find here some microfiber towels you can use on your hair!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #3: Apply Hair Care Products
To protect and nourish your wet hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or light hair oil. This adds a protective layer that helps lock in moisture and prevents frizz. These products coat your hair strands, reducing friction and minimizing tangling that can occur as hair rubs against the pillowcase.
They also nourish and strengthen your hair, preventing breakage and split ends. The conditioning agents keep the hair cuticle smooth, resulting in softer, shinier, and more manageable hair in the morning. This extra layer of protection helps your hair look and feel healthier despite being wet overnight. Find here some leave-in conditioners & hair oils that are specially made for sleeping!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #4: Choose a Loose Hairstyle
Avoid tight hairstyles. Loose hairstyles are better for sleeping with wet hair because they minimize tension and stress on the hair strands. This reduces the risk of breakage or split ends. Tight hairstyles can pull on the hair and scalp, causing damage, especially when hair is more fragile and prone to breakage in its wet state. Loose styles, such as relaxed braids or buns, gently hold the hair in place without causing excessive tension.
They prevent tangling while maintaining comfort. Additionally, they allow airflow to the scalp, promoting even drying and reducing the chances of waking up with crimped or flattened hair. This can also help control frizz and give your hair a nice wave.
Sleeping with Wet Hair #5: Wear a Bonnet or Headscarf
Another way to protect wet hair while sleeping is to wear a bonnet or headscarf. These reduce friction between hair and the pillowcase and minimize breakage, tangling, and frizz. Most bonnets are made of silk or satin. This fabric retains moisture, preventing hair from drying overnight while preserving any hairstyle you’ve created.
Additionally, they prevent the pillowcase from absorbing moisture and hair products, ensuring your hair remains hydrated and healthy. Find here some bonnets & headscarves!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #6: Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase
Those pillowcases are smoother than cotton, which means less friction for your hair as you move in your sleep. Their smooth surface prevents tangling, frizz, and breakage, which are more likely to occur when your hair is wet and fragile. Furthermore, satin & silk don’t absorb moisture, unlike cotton. This helps to keep your hair hydrated and maintains the benefits of leave-in conditioner or oil treatments.
This allows your hair to stay more nourished, reducing the risk of dryness or damage. They also prevent the flattening or distortion of wet hair, ensuring you wake up with healthier, more manageable locks. This helps prevent knotting and breakage. Find some 100% silk pillowcases & satin ones here!
Did you know sleeping on a silk pillowcase can make your hair grow faster?
Find more hacks for faster hair growth here!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #7: Avoid Elastic Bands
If you tie your hair, use soft scrunchies or ties that don’t pull on your hair. Elastic bands can cause breakage, especially in wet hair. Avoiding those while sleeping with wet hair is important because they can create excessive tension on fragile, damp strands, leading to breakage and split ends.
They also leave creases and indentations that make styling difficult in the morning and restrict airflow, potentially slowing the drying process and increasing the risk of scalp issues. Additionally, tight headbands can cause discomfort by pulling on the hair and scalp. Find some soft hair ties here!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #8: Don’t Go to Bed with Soaking Wet Hair
Even though your hair might still be wet when you go to bed, it’s best not to have soaking wet hair. The wetter the hair, the more prone it is to breakage, tangling, and frizz. The excess moisture can also create an uncomfortable sleeping environment and make your pillow damp.
It can promote scalp issues by fostering fungal growth, and hair that dries in a twisted or pressed shape often wakes up flattened or misshapen, making it difficult to style. So, stick to hack number one and gently dry it with a microfiber towel.
Sleeping with Wet Hair #9: Find The Right Sleeping Position
Sleeping on your side with your hair gently arranged above your pillow can help minimize flattening and tangling by preventing your hair from being pressed between your head and the pillow. Alternatively, sleeping with your hair in a loose bun or braid helps contain it, reducing tangling while maintaining volume.
Back sleeping also works well, as it allows your hair to fall naturally around your head without being crimped against the pillow. Again, In any position, a satin or silk pillowcase reduces friction and keeps hair smoother while you sleep. Find here some suitable pillowcases!
Sleeping with Wet Hair #10 Detangle Before Bed
It is usually said you shouldn´t brush wet hair, but going to bed with wet & tangled hair is a double NO-GO! Gently comb through your hair with a wide-tooth comb or a detangler/wet brush to remove tangles before you go to bed. This prevents you from having to deal with worse tangles or knots in the morning.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can help ensure your hair stays healthy, even when going to bed with it still wet.