Monday, April 29, 2024

Is It Bad To Sleep With Wet Hair? Experts Share Their Advice

sleeping while hair is wet

For one, people with longer hair can “use a loose scrunchie or [hair tie] to gather hair” before going to sleep, Wassef said. It’s important that the hair isn’t tied up too tightly, Rodney added, since that can further damage hair. “That is why we usually detangle hair when it’s wet and not dry,” she said. If you need a good heat protectant for wet hair, try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant, which helps to smooth hair and prolong your style. “Fungi spreads in a damp, wet environment and can lead to several scalp infections such as tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis,” says Wendel. Wet hair against a pillow doesn’t create a very ideal environment for your scalp, and it can wreak unintended havoc.

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Allow your hair to slightly dry before you start brushing and braiding it. It’s best to work with damp hair for this wet hairstyling option so the more time your hair has to dry, the better. A few knots may not be as concerning as getting sick or causing damage to your hair, but it is a concern when it comes to sleeping on wet hair and it has some serious implications. If you tend to move a lot while sleeping, knotty hair can certainly be a result and this can lead to tugging and friction that can cause hair breakage. Brushing those harsh knots from your hair every morning can also lead to breakage because a hairbrush pulls on your strands. If you’re prone to frizz, sleeping on wet hair is only going to exacerbate that.

The Gross Reason Why You Really Shouldn't Sleep with Wet Hair - Apartment Therapy

The Gross Reason Why You Really Shouldn't Sleep with Wet Hair.

Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Microbial Growth

sleeping while hair is wet

If you’re experiencing any scalp symptoms, make sure to see your doctor. The moisture can potentially lead to scalp health issues like irritation, odor, and dandruff as well as hair damage, she tells Bustle, which is why it’s generally recommended to not go to bed with wet hair. Showering at night has a host of benefits, including cleansing your body of allergens, oils and sweat from the day and promoting relaxation.

Other Problems Linked to Sleeping on Wet Hair

The need for the head to breathe is why you don’t want to sleep in a bonnet. If you want to wake up with curls, twist your hair well and secure it in a top knot before bedtime, letting your strands dry into those beautiful curls. A silk pillowcase is ideal because regular cotton ones are extremely rough on your hair and can cause knots and more breakage. Plus, silk or satin pillowcases are proven to smooth hair and prevent frizz, especially benefiting those with curly hair that takes a long time to dry. During your eight-hour rest, unless you’re super still, your hair can get stretched, pulled, and knotted, causing breakage, frizz, and dullness. So, to protect your hair, it’s best to let it air dry or blow dry it before sleeping and detangle it gently.

What happens when you sleep on wet hair

The only time it’s advisable is when you sleep in a heatless style that can accommodate wet hair, like braids. “If you pull your wet hair up into a tight ponytail or bun, you have a much greater chance of breaking it during the night,” Gilbert says. “Malassezia yeast, which causes seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, can also proliferate in warm, moist, dark environments—like wet hair when sleeping,” she adds. Yeast growth can sometimes lead to infection, which could require over-the-counter treatment shampoo or even prescription medication to clear things up. If bacteria is able to accumulate on your scalp, it can lead to infections at the root of your hair, says Dr. Engelman.

Going to sleep with wet hair won’t make you sick – but it’s still a bad idea - Style

Going to sleep with wet hair won’t make you sick – but it’s still a bad idea.

Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

So, How Bad Is It Really to Go to Bed With Wet Hair?

These viruses spread within air droplets released by coughing and sneezing, as well as on contaminated surfaces, which do tend to spread more frequently during the winter months. Bring out the best in your mattress with our soft and breathable bedding. Are Media acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking.

Add as much buffer time between your rinse and sleep as possible.

The number of times people wash their hair in a week is down to preference. Showering or bathing 1–2 hours before bed can also give hair a chance to dry naturally. However, a 2016 study found that decreases in temperature and humidity over consecutive days may increase people’s risk of rhinovirus infections — a cause of colds. While wet hair may not directly make someone sick, water absorption causes the hair shaft swelling.

sleeping while hair is wet

Are there any exceptions to sleeping with wet hair?

In the morning, remove the scarf from your twist, gently shake your hair to unleash your natural curls, and finish the look with some dry wax. This technique works best for those with mid-length to long hair, and for an added touch, put your hair upside down before twisting it for extra volume and bounce. To wake up with great hair, moisturize and gently comb the products through using a boar bristle brush.

Beyond the possibility of hair breakage, going to bed without drying your hair can also lead to potential skin issues. “As a rule of thumb, it’s not a good idea to go to bed with your hair wet,” says Kenna Ehman, co-owner and master stylist at Kenna Kunijo. The reasoning isn’t because it will cause you to catch a cold — there’s no scientific evidence to that wives’ tale — rather, it can impact your hair, scalp, and skin in negative ways if you make it a habit. A damp scalp for long periods of time can create a perfect environment for the growth of fungus or bacteria, which can lead to scalp problems such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. While wet hair is unlikely to make you sick, we'd recommend sleeping with dry hair to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing. Read on for the effects of wet hair, the risks of sleeping with wet hair, precautions, and tips to avoid sleeping with wet hair.

Whether you’ve just finished an evening workout or got back from a long travel day with that one extra layer of dry shampoo still in your hair. Hair-wash day can turn into hair-wash night and we’ve never thought twice about it. Sleeping with a damp scalp may promote the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can lead to infections and conditions such as tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis. The oil reduces the amount of water absorbed so it’s less prone to damage. This isn’t recommended if you have seborrheic eczema, however, since coconut oil could make it worse. Along with the inevitability of waking up with some seriously kinked bedhead, you may also do damage to your hair.

However, the same scientists also say that you should dry your hair as much as possible and never go to sleep with it completely wet, as it will definitely not help you attain a partial balayage style that way. They also need to learn how to sleep with wet hair and acquire some tips and tricks. “Silk pillow cases are another great way to improve your hair condition” because they reduce friction and, in turn, tangles and breakage. “If the scalp is wet from water, the higher pH will encourage the growth of yeast and bacteria, which could lead to dandruff and itchiness,” she explained. “Sleeping with wet hair will make your pillow and surroundings damp, which can disrupt your sleep,” says Wu. “For that reason, I would recommend letting your hair dry before going to bed,” she said.

Secure your buns into place with soft scrunchies and in the morning, let your hair down and show off those waves. If your hair gets frizzy while you sleep, apply some of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In in the morning to smooth frizz and enhance shine. It’s true that you’re much more likely to catch a common cold during the winter months. But this has to do with the ways respiratory viruses proliferate and spread, he says. “Wet hair is more likely to become damaged when wet because it can be stretched more and tangle more easily,” says Dr. Mary Wendel, national medical director of Medi Tresse, a hair loss treatment center for women.

If you want to completely avoid frizz, it’s also advisable to use a blow dryer before sleeping. To prevent further damage to your hair follicles and restore the natural barrier of your hair cuticle from external factors, consider using a leave-in conditioner as part of your hair and skin routine at night. These products provide lasting moisture to your scalp and hair strands, preventing dryness and damage. If you’re a fan of a night shower, then chances are you’ve gone to bed with wet hair more than once. Sometimes the desire to sleep is stronger than the desire to dry your hair, after all — and that’s totally understandable.

Overall, experts agree that going to bed with soaking-wet or even damp hair is not healthy or safe for your hair and overall physical well-being. But if evening showering is your preference, alter your routine a bit to reduce your risk of potential infections and hair damage. Always check your bedding’s laundry symbols for special instructions, but a good rule of thumb is to machine-wash it with hot water. Experts also suggest washing your pillows every three to six months if they’re washable.

Some research has shown that pillows—especially those made with synthetic materials—can harbor asthma- or allergy-triggering molds and fungus. These microorganisms tend to do well in damp environments, and so do dust mites, says Dr. Payel Gupta, a board-certified allergist and spokesperson for the American Lung Association. They may also want to find the best products available to look after their hair by speaking with a doctor or dermatologist.

However, it’s essential to be cautious about making these styles too tight when your hair is wet. Sebratnam backed up this claim, telling us that there are no well documented impacts of going to bed with wet hair on the scalp. Exposing your scalp to hours and hours of moisture can lead to irritation, dandruff, and odor, says Dr. Brendan Camp, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. “Damp environments are breeding grounds for microbes, including bacteria and yeast,” he tells Bustle.

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