Protecting your long hair while you sleep can be a little tricky. If you’ve ever woken up to find your long locks tangled, frizzy, or unkempt, you know what I mean. Sleeping without properly taming your long hair can lead to more than just a temporary mess. In the long run, your sleeping habits can lead to breakage and damage to your hair. Here’s how to sleep with long hair. No matter what your hair type is, whether you’ve dyed it or chemically permed it, you’ll find tips on how to properly care for your hair while you sleep.
How to protect your hair while you sleep
The most effective ways to protect long hair while you sleep mostly revolve around products you apply at night and styling techniques to prevent breakage. Environmental factors, such as moisture in your hair and bedding, also play a role.
1. Use silk or satin pillowcases.
Here’s an important tip: If you’re a side sleeper or move around a lot, your hair rubs against the fibers of your pillowcase every time you move, which can stress your hair and make it frizzy. Ultimately, it can lead to hair breakage. A silk or satin pillowcase can help reduce friction against your hair while you sleep. This type of pillowcase also reduces stretching and stress on your skin while you sleep, which can help slow down the signs of aging. Satin and silk are hypoallergenic and cool fibers, unlike cotton.
2. Adjust your shower time.
Going to bed with even the slightest amount of moisture in your hair can leave it prone to breakage or tangles in the morning. Your hair is most vulnerable when it’s damp, so even the best sleepers will move their heads slightly during sleep, and this movement is more likely to cause tangles when your hair is wet.
If your schedule allows, try washing your hair when it’s time to dry naturally before bed. Be sure to finish your shower by spritzing it with cool water to help seal the cuticle. You may also want to blow dry your hair completely before bed and use one of the styling ทางเข้า ufabet tips below to keep it smooth and tangle-free.
3. Wrap your hair with a headband or scarf.
Using a headband or scarf can help keep your beautiful hair from getting messy or wrinkled while you sleep. Depending on your hair type, you may want to use silk or satin to further reduce friction while you sleep.
By carefully wrapping your hair and keeping the loose hair away from your neck, you can avoid humidity or sweat that can make your hair frizzy. Sleeping with your hair wrapped is ideal if you want to wake up with a smooth and straight hairstyle. Adding long hair clips to your wrapped hair will give it a better hold and add to the straightening effect. After waking up, gently comb your hair and you are ready to go in the morning.
4. Comb your hair before going to bed.
Consider adding a hair-combing step to your bedtime routine. Combing your hair thoroughly before going to bed can help prevent tangles and frizz in the morning. You don’t have to spend a lot of time doing this, but simply combing your hair gently with a wide-tooth or wide-tooth comb before styling and going to bed is all that’s needed.
5. Switch to using a hair band .
Elastic hair ties are the most common choice for tying up your hair at night, but they can put a lot of stress on your hair and scalp because they pull on your hair. This friction can make your hair tangled and break. You can also sleep with a hair tie on your head instead of a hair tie. Try putting your hair up in a high bun using a silk or satin band, which will reduce the amount of friction your hair has on your hair. You’ll be less likely to wake up with creases in your hair, saving you time when styling in the morning.
6. Protect your hair ends with essential oils .
Your hair ends can suffer the most damage while you sleep. Even when you sleep on your back, you can unintentionally put pressure on your ends. You can protect your ends by applying essential oils before you go to bed. Argan oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or even coconut oil are all good options. Braid your hair or tie it up with a hair band. Then, warm a few drops of essential oil between your palms by rubbing them together. You only need a small amount of oil. Apply the oil to your hair, paying special attention to the ends. This will protect your hair from friction and prevent breakage.
7. Nourish your hair while you sleep .
Just because your hair should be dry when you sleep doesn’t mean it should be dry and dehydrated when you wake up. If you often wake up with frizzy, unmanageable hair, a leave-in conditioner may be the answer. Before styling and tying your hair before bed, a spritz of a leave-in conditioner that contains proteins or keratin can help strengthen your hair while you sleep.
The best leave-in conditioner will vary depending on your hair type. Dry, prone hair will thrive with a moisturizing leave-in conditioner. Oily, prone hair may benefit from a lighter-weight leave-in conditioner that contains fewer plant extracts and other ingredients. Formulas that come in a spray bottle and are designed to be used on dry hair are your best bet.
8. Braid your hair before going to bed.
If you want to wake up with beautiful curls instead of fighting tangles, try braiding your long hair before bed. You can do any braid you like—a single braid, several small braids, or even a French braid if you want to get fancy. Secure your braid at the bottom with a small hair tie instead of an elastic. If you want to protect your hair a little extra, you can put the braid in a bun on top of your head or simply wrap the braid and secure it to your head, away from the nape of your neck. This will keep your hair free from sweat, humidity, and friction.
9. Use hair serum or hair mask .
A lightweight hair serum that helps reduce frizz while you sleep, as well as a safe hair mask to use overnight. Remember, you don’t want to weigh down your hair or swell the hair follicles with any products you use overnight. You just want to replenish and lock in moisture without adding weight or friction to your hair.
Avoid products that contain acids (like citric acid or apple cider vinegar), as they’re not safe to leave in your hair for more than six hours. Also, avoid heavy protein additives, like eggs, which can weigh down your hair and make it more prone to breakage. Opt for lighter, natural ingredients (like peppermint oil or aloe vera), which can add shine, stimulate your scalp, and make it easier to comb through in the morning.
10. Plug in a fan or humidifier in the bedroom.
Any kind of heat can suck moisture out of the air, damaging your hair. This includes the heater in your bedroom. Keep a fan blowing air in your room to prevent you from sweating at night and waking up with damp hair. You may also consider using a humidifier to add moisture back into the air in your bedroom.