Your sleep routine doesn’t just impact your overall health—it also plays a significant role in the health of your hair. Certain nighttime habits can weaken, tangle, or even break your hair, leaving it dull and lifeless. By understanding these common mistakes and making small adjustments, you can protect your locks and wake up with healthier, shinier hair. Here are 15 sleep habits that may be destroying your hair and how to fix them.
1. Sleeping With Wet Hair
Going to bed with wet hair may seem harmless, but it can cause significant damage. Wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage, and tossing and turning on your pillow creates friction that can lead to split ends and tangles.
Research from Marie Claire shows that if you need to wash your hair at night, make sure it’s completely dry before heading to bed. Use a microfiber towel to speed up drying and apply a leave-in conditioner to protect your strands. Blow-dry on a low heat setting if necessary, and you’ll wake up with stronger, healthier hair.
2. Using Cotton Pillowcases
Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle over time. They also create friction that leads to tangles, breakage, and frizz, especially if you move around in your sleep.
Insights from Vogue suggest switching to a silk or satin pillowcase, which is gentler on your hair and helps retain its natural oils. These materials reduce friction, prevent breakage, and keep your hair smooth and hydrated overnight. Investing in a silk pillowcase is a small change that can make a big difference in your hair’s health.
3. Neglecting a Nighttime Hair Care Routine
Skipping a nighttime hair care routine leaves your hair unprotected while you sleep. Without proper care, your hair is more susceptible to dryness, frizz, and breakage.
Insights from Byrdie suggest applying a lightweight leave-in conditioner, hair oil, or serum before bed to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. If your hair is prone to tangling, consider wearing a silk scarf or bonnet for added protection. A few minutes of care before bed can make a significant difference in your hair’s health.
4. Not Brushing Your Hair Before Bed
Going to bed without brushing your hair allows tangles to form overnight, making it harder to detangle in the morning. This can lead to unnecessary breakage and split ends.
Experts from Cosmopolitan advise using a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently remove knots before you sleep. Brushing also distributes natural oils from your scalp to the rest of your hair, keeping it nourished and shiny. A quick detangling session can go a long way in protecting your hair.
5. Using Harsh Hair Ties
Sleeping with hair tied using elastic or tight hair ties creates friction and tension, which can cause breakage and weaken your strands. Over time, this habit can lead to thinning hair or damaged ends.
Switch to soft, fabric-covered scrunchies or spiral hair ties that are gentler on your hair. These options reduce pulling and friction, allowing your hair to stay intact and healthier overnight.
6. Sleeping With Tight Hairstyles
Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail, bun, or braid while sleeping puts unnecessary stress on your hair and scalp. This constant tension can lead to hair breakage and even traction alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss along the hairline.
Opt for loose hairstyles or let your hair down completely when you sleep. If you prefer to keep it tied, use a loose braid secured with a soft scrunchie instead of an elastic band. This reduces tension and protects your hair while keeping it tangle-free.
7. Sleeping in a Room With Low Humidity
Dry air, especially during colder months, can sap moisture from your hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage. Sleeping in a room with low humidity exacerbates this problem, leading to dull and damaged hair.
Use a humidifier in your bedroom to maintain adequate moisture levels in the air. This helps keep your hair and scalp hydrated overnight, preventing dryness and frizz. Healthy humidity levels benefit not only your hair but also your skin and respiratory system.
8. Rubbing Your Hair With a Towel Before Bed
Using a regular towel to dry your hair creates friction that roughs up the cuticle, causing frizz and breakage. Going to bed after aggressively towel-drying can leave your hair vulnerable to damage.
Swap your regular towel for a microfiber towel or an old cotton T-shirt. These materials are gentler on your hair and reduce friction, helping to maintain its smoothness and integrity. Always pat your hair dry instead of rubbing it to minimize damage.
9. Sleeping With Dirty Hair
Neglecting to wash your hair regularly allows oil, dirt, and product buildup to accumulate on your scalp. This can clog hair follicles, hinder growth, and lead to scalp irritation.
Stick to a regular hair-washing schedule that suits your hair type, and ensure your scalp is clean before bed. If washing daily isn’t necessary, consider using a gentle dry shampoo to refresh your roots. A clean scalp promotes healthier hair growth and prevents unwanted issues like dandruff or itchiness.
10. Ignoring Split Ends
Failing to trim your hair regularly allows split ends to travel up the hair shaft, leading to more significant damage. Sleeping with untreated split ends makes your hair more prone to tangling and breakage overnight.
Schedule regular trims every 6–8 weeks to keep your ends healthy and prevent splits from worsening. Maintaining healthy ends ensures your hair stays stronger and more manageable, even after a night’s rest.
11. Using Excessive Heat Styling Before Bed
Heat styling tools like flat irons and curling wands can weaken your hair’s structure, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage. Using these tools frequently before bed exacerbates the damage, especially if your hair isn’t properly protected.
Minimize heat styling and always use a heat protectant if you must style your hair. Let your hair cool completely before lying down, and try heat-free styling methods like braiding or pin curls for gentle waves. Reducing heat exposure preserves your hair’s strength and shine.
12. Sleeping on Hair That’s Overloaded With Products
Applying too much product, such as oils, sprays, or creams, before bed can weigh your hair down and make it look greasy. Product buildup can also clog your scalp, causing irritation or slowing hair growth.
Use products sparingly and choose lightweight, non-greasy formulas for nighttime use. Focus on nourishing treatments that absorb easily and won’t leave residue on your pillow. Keeping your scalp and hair balanced ensures they stay healthy and vibrant.
13. Not Protecting Hair From Pillow Friction
Sleeping directly on a rough pillowcase without any protection for your hair can cause friction that weakens your strands over time. The constant rubbing against the fabric can lead to split ends, breakage, and frizz, especially for those with curly or textured hair.
To reduce friction, consider wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf before bed. Alternatively, tie your hair in a loose braid or bun to minimize movement while you sleep. Pairing this habit with a silk or satin pillowcase creates an extra layer of protection, keeping your hair smooth and less prone to damage.
14. Sleeping With Too Many Hair Accessories
Leaving bobby pins, clips, or other accessories in your hair while sleeping may seem harmless, but they can cause significant stress on your strands. These items create tension and friction, leading to hair breakage and even discomfort during the night.
Remove all hair accessories before going to bed, no matter how gentle they seem. If you need to secure your hair, use a soft scrunchie or silk tie designed for nighttime use. Keeping your hair free from unnecessary tension ensures that it stays healthy and damage-free overnight.
15. Not Washing Your Pillowcase Regularly
Dirty pillowcases harbor oil, dirt, and bacteria that can transfer to your hair and scalp while you sleep. Over time, this buildup can clog hair follicles, cause irritation, and contribute to dandruff or scalp infections.
Wash your pillowcases at least once a week to keep them clean and free from buildup. If you have oily hair or use a lot of products, consider washing them more frequently. Opt for hypoallergenic or silk pillowcases to further protect your hair and scalp. Clean bedding creates a healthier environment, ensuring your hair stays fresh and vibrant.
Your nighttime habits can have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your hair. By addressing these common mistakes—like sleeping with wet hair, neglecting a nighttime hair care routine, or using harsh pillowcases—you can protect your locks and wake up with stronger, shinier hair. Incorporating small, mindful changes into your routine can make all the difference in maintaining beautiful, healthy hair. Sleep smarter, and your hair will thank you!
