Have you ever wondered if it’s truly a bad idea to sleep with wet hair? We’ve all heard the old adage, but let’s dive into the science behind it and explore what you can do to protect your hair while catching those Zzz’s.
Debunking the Myth
Many of us have grown up with the warning that sleeping with wet hair can lead to catching a cold. However, scientifically speaking, colds are caused by viruses, not wet hair. So why the cautionary tales?
The Truth About Wet Hair
“When the hair is wet, it swells. This prolonged inside-out pressure weakens the cortex and cuticle, making hair brittle,” explained Dee Toh, associate director of Chez Vous: Private Space. Kuah Beng Lee, senior education manager for Kao’s salon division, added that “if you already have existing damaged hair, this can cause the breakage of the hair easily.” But that’s not all; he pointed out that “unneeded moisture will also cause an imbalance to our scalp microbiome.”
Preparing Your Hair for Bedtime
Always Ensure That Your Hair is Dry Before Going to Sleep
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We understand that blow-drying your hair can be a hassle, especially after a late night out. However, there’s a solution. Use a protein-rich hair mask after shampooing. This fills your hair with reparative amino acids, making each strand less porous, which in turn speeds up the drying process.
Brush Your Hair Before Bedtime
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Remember those scenes in TV dramas where characters would brush their hair 100 times before bedtime? There’s a reason for it. Brushing keeps your hair untangled, reducing its susceptibility to damage. Plus, brushing wet hair can reduce frizz and unruliness when it dries.
Use an Overnight Hair Mask
For those lazy nights, an overnight serum or leave-in mask can minimize damage. These products often work on a time-release technology, gradually releasing care ingredients to ensure your hair absorbs their benefits throughout the night.
Keep the Hair Buns for Daytime
Avoid putting your wet hair up in a bun to air-dry overnight. The combination of swelling and tension from the bun can cause breakage.
Additional Tips for Hair Care While Sleeping
Silk Pillowcases Can Help
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Reduce friction by using a silk pillowcase to protect your hair as you toss and turn during sleep.
Refresh Your Bedhead Hair in the Morning
Mist your hair with a light conditioning spray, apply moisturizing cream, comb through, and let your locks air-dry naturally.
Combat Dryness
Sleeping in an air-conditioned room can dry out your hair and scalp. Combat frizz and fly-aways by using aluminum foil. Rubbing strands with tin foil smooths hair, keeps fly-aways at bay, and restores shine.
In conclusion, while sleeping with wet hair won’t give you a cold, it can weaken your hair, making it more prone to damage. Taking a few precautions and following these tips can help you maintain healthy, beautiful locks while you catch up on your beauty sleep. So, say goodbye to bedhead and hello to gorgeous morning hair!
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