Is it bad to go to bed with wet hair?

We don’t all the time have the solutions, however we’ve some folks on velocity dial who do — which is why we provide to you our collection FYI the place we’ve professionals give an explanation for if lip balm is in truth bad, how frequently will have to you wash your hair and extra. 

Showering at evening can save numerous time within the morning. It will also be a soothing means to finish a hectic day. And, when you bathe proper earlier than bed, all that steamy time spent below scorching water could make you sleepy and in a position to move slowly below the covers. The simplest drawback with that plan? It may just doubtlessly put your hair well being in danger.

The dermatologists we spoke to mentioned that dozing on wet hair will also be very harmful. They defined precisely what can occur to your hair when you go to sleep with it wet and shared tips about how to offer protection to it as you sleep.

SKIP AHEAD Is it bad to go to sleep with wet hair? | How to offer protection to your hair when you sleep 

Is it bad to go to sleep with wet hair? 

The quick resolution: Yes, it’s bad on your hair to go to bed when wet. “Wet hair strands are much more fragile than dry hair strands,” explains Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified beauty dermatologist in New York City. “When the hair is wet, it becomes more elastic, and the protein structure is weakened, making it more fragile and susceptible to breakage.” Then, as you toss and switch for your pillow at evening, that weakened, wet hair can snap and ruin. 

Breakage isn’t the one factor related 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. “This is due to the moist environment that can be created, which is a perfect breeding ground for fungi.” This wetness too can motive those fungi to develop for your pillow, in the long run harming your respiration gadget.

How to offer protection to your hair when you sleep

Even if you realize that it’s bad to go to bed with wet hair, there are occasions when you might have to do it. In instances like that, there are steps you’ll be able to take to offer protection to your strands. Instead, you will have to:: 

• Blot hair: There’s wet hair, after which there’s in point of fact wet hair. You need to keep away from the latter.  “Your hair should not be soaking wet and should be blotted dry with a microfiber towel or t-shirt or partially air-dried before going to sleep,” says Green. I just like the Kitsch Hair Towel, which dries my hair briefly.
• Invest in a satin or silk pillowcase. “These pillowcases create less friction with the hair than cotton pillowcases and may decrease the risk of hair damage,” says Green. 
• Try a hair oil: Green additionally says that making use of hair oil to your scalp or strands earlier than dozing can scale back friction and decrease breakage. If you received’t be washing your hair for a couple of extra days, keep away from striking oil for your scalp (it could make it glance greasy) and simply put just a little bit on ends.
• Put your hair up: Leaving it down could cause it to tangle and rub in opposition to your pillowcase, leading to extra breakage. “I recommend loosely braiding your hair or tying it in a loose bun to limit the amount of friction,” says Chacon. Use a silk or satin-covered hair tie to stay hair in position.

Products that assist offer protection to your hair whilst dozing 

All of those merchandise help you practice our skilled pointers above. They are both direct suggestions by means of our professionals or have a 4-star moderate ranking from no less than 500 evaluations on Amazon. 

Meet our professionals

At NBC Select, we paintings with professionals with specialised wisdom and authority in keeping with related coaching and enjoy. We additionally be sure all skilled recommendation and suggestions are made independently and with out undisclosed monetary conflicts of pastime.

• Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified beauty dermatologist in New York City
• Dr. Anna Chacon is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida

Why agree with NBC Select?

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who frequently covers good looks, house and way of life. For this tale, she interviewed dermatologists about dozing with wet hair.