How To Protect Your Hair While You Sleep — Shop Now
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You've probably seen YouTube and TikTok tutorials of influencers sharing how they protect their hair at night, but how necessary is it?
Can a pillow case dry out my hair?
It might come as a surprise that the material you sleep on might be comfortable — but is extremely drying to both the hair and skin. Cotton is the most common fabric for pillowcases, and it absorbs natural oils, i.e., sebum. Over time, this can lead to breakage, knots, frizz and dehydrated strands.
There is an easy solution to preventing damage, and ultimately, keeping hair healthy. Having a nighttime hair routine can help prevent split ends and with retaining length, which results in longer hair.
Keep scrolling to see our nighttime must-haves for healthy hair!
Satin & Silk Pillowcases
Swapping out cotton for satin or silk is a common way to protect the hair. Both silk and satin are considered soft breathable materials and cause less breakage in comparison to cotton.
MR & HM's Satin Pillowcase retails for $10.99 at amazon.com.
Zimasilk's Mulberry Silk Pillowcase retails for $23.95 at amazon.com.
Satin & Silk Scrunchies
The wrong pillowcase isn't the only thing that can cause hair to break. Using tight hair ties while you sleep can not only lead to tangles, but if styled too tightly, can cause severe tension. If wearing a tight ponytail at night becomes a part of your routine, it could potentially lead to traction alopecia.
“Hairstyles should be changed regularly to avoid strain on any area of the scalp. Chemicals such as relaxers may contribute as well and should be limited as much as possible,” Dr.Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist in New York explained to WebMD. It might feel strange to consider how the hair is styled during bed, but protecting your tresses is a full-time commitment, even while you're asleep.
Satin and silk scrunchies are gentle and cause less pulling in comparison to traditional elastic ties.
Kitsch's Satin Scrunchies retail for $8.54 at amazon.com.
BeeVines' 60 Pack Hair Scrunchies retail for $12.39 at amazon.com.
Head Scarf and Bonnet
It's a common practice for people with curly, kinky and coily hair types to wear either a head scarf, wrap or bonnet at night. Textured hair tends to be dryer in comparison to straighter grades of hair. Using a scarf or bonnet secures the hair while you sleep insures that your crown remains moisturized — no matter how much you toss and turn.
Edoneery's Satin Bonnet retails for $9.99 at amazon.com.
Bonnet Queen's Adjustable Bonnet retails for $12.99 at amazon.com.
