Skip to Content

How to Sleep With Wet Hair Safely Without Causing Breakage Full Guide of 2024

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

How to Sleep with Wet Hair SafelyHave you ever gone to bed at night with wet hair, only to wake up the following day with dried-out and tangled strands? Maybe even some breakage? We know it can be a big challenge trying to get into bed with wet hair and not end up dealing with any of these problems.

But don’t worry – there are things you can do to sleep on your wet hair without causing any damage! In this post, we’ll go over how to safely sleep on your wet hair so that you can wake up looking as good (or better!) as when you went to bed.

Is It Bad to Sleep With Wet Hair?

The answer is yes and no. It all depends on your individual hair type, texture, and length, as well as the care you take when sleeping with wet hair.

Sleeping with wet hair can be damaging if you don’t follow the necessary steps. Wet strands have more friction against each other and, when combined with movement from tossing and turning in bed, will cause breakage along the cuticle of your strands resulting in split ends.

Without proper protection for your locks, while sleeping, this unavoidable damage can add up quickly over time leading to premature thinning or receding hairlines.

Experts suggest following a nightly routine before heading to bed that helps prevent breakage caused by sleeping with wet tresses.

How to Sleep With Wet Hair

Woman drying her hairIf you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep but don’t want to damage your hair, you might wonder how to sleep with wet hair without causing breakage.

While it isn’t recommended to go to bed with wet locks regularly, there are ways that you can do so without sacrificing the health of your tresses.

Whether you have straight or textured hair, here are some tips and tricks for sleeping with wet locks:

1. Use a Hair Dryer

If time is an issue and you need to dry your damp strands before going to bed, use a low heat setting on the blow dryer and keep it moving at all times in order not to overheat any single section of hair.

This will reduce the chances of breakage while still getting those locks semi-dry before hitting the sack.

2. Apply to Leave In Conditioner

A leave-in conditioner helps protect against split ends and fungal infections by coating each strand and locking in moisture.

It also adds body and strength, which helps prevent breakage when brushing out knots later on.

3. Protect Your Strands With Silk/Satin Scarf Or Pillowcase

Protect Your Strands With Silk/Satin Scarf Or PillowcaseThe friction between cotton pillowcases causes more damage than most people think which results in frizzing up or even thinning out sections of already damaged hair, especially when sleeping with wet locks!

To avoid this problem, cover up either using a silk/satin scarf or opt for a silk/ satin pillowcase; these materials provide minimal friction, allowing for fewer tangles no matter the texture type (i.e., wavy or curly).

4. Braid Away!

Perhaps one of the best methods for preserving your style overnight is braiding – whether it’s a tight French braid down from root to tip or then securing it at the bottom with an elastic ponytail holder containing a few extra pieces (for added volume).

Loose french braid starting from the middle back portion towards sides, leaving front hairs free flowing – whatever works best according to people’s unique head shape & styling preferences; this trick ensures having a “nearly done look” come the morning after waking up refreshed & rested despite not having had full blowout prior!

5. Use A Hair Serum

If you go to bed with wet hair, it is important to remember to put a hair serum on unless you would like to wake up the next morning with tangled strands that take another hour of your time to comb out.

You should apply a small amount of serum from the middle of your locks down through their ends.

6. Comb Out Knots Before Bedtime Shower Routine

Whether dealing with wavy curls due to their kinky nature tend to entangle easily upon contact with water => resulting higher chance of snagging & tearing apart delicate scalp skin if improperly taken care of during the nightly routine – hence why important use wide tooth comb and distribute curl cream evenly throughout strands beforehand, therefore, avoiding making mess task afterward!

7. Choose Your Hairstyle

Hairstyles are greatly affected by how you sleep; if you want curls in your hair the following day, take each strand and twist it before going to bed. To achieve straight hair for tomorrow, gather all of your hair and direct it towards one side when lying down so that no wrinkles or waves will appear.

Overall, make sure that drying off excess water, such as by using a microfiber towel (instead terrycloth kind!) followed by application of leave-in conditioners, help preserve natural oils leading to less prone breaking due to friction coming from the air blowing onto them directly or rubbing against harsh material found traditional pillows cases… Allowing follicles to rest peacefully without fear of possible aftermath-related wakeup calls following 8 hours of slumbering beauty rest!

What’s the Difference between Silk, Satin, and Microfiber Pillowcases?

The type of pillowcase you use to sleep on can make a big difference in how easy it is to rest when your hair is wet. Silk and satin pillowcases are two popular choices for sleeping with wet or damp hair, as they create less friction which leads to less breakage.

Microfiber has gained some popularity lately thanks to its absorbency qualities, but each material has pros and cons.

Silk pillowcases

Silk pillowcases are extremely gentle on the hair follicles, making them ideal for sleeping with wet or damp hair. The smooth fabric prevents any tugging from occurring when moving around during a night’s sleep, preventing split ends and protecting against frizz and damage caused by abrasion.

However, silk can be quite expensive compared to other materials, so if you have long hair, you may want a larger size than standard pillows come in.

Satin pillowcases

Satin pillowcases also protect against breakage while allowing movement during the night without tangles forming or snagging the strands due to friction between fabrics; however, they’re not quite as soft as silk and not necessarily hypoallergenic either – just something worth considering if allergies play into your decision-making process!

Microfiber

Microfiber (also known as “microplush”) was originally developed specifically for bedding because it offers superior absorbency properties – meaning that even after hours of tossing and turning in bed with damp locks all over your face – microfiber won’t leave behind a residue as cotton or polyester would! It’s also lightweight enough so that it will easily bend around curves like those found near headboards etc., reducing tension that could lead to breakage when trying to lie down at nighttime without having an uncomfortable sleep surface under one’s head & neck area.

On the downside, though, this material isn’t quite as strong/durable compared say, silk/satin, which could mean more frequent replacements depending on usage frequency – plus, many people find microplush too warm, especially during summer months when moisture retention issues become more prominent – leading us back full circle towards our original choice: silk/satin.

Conclusion

No matter your hair type, sleeping with wet hair can cause damage to your locks. However, you can learn how to sleep with wet hair without causing breakage using the right tools and techniques. Start by investing in a silk pillowcase or scarf and use a wide-toothed comb to detangle after showering.

If you have straight hair, wrap it up in a loose french braid for extra body. Try scrunching in some curl cream for wavy or curly strands for added hydration and texture control before you hit the hay!

Lastly, make sure to dry shampoo or brush out any product residue from your scalp so that fungal infections don’t thrive underneath an ideal environment of dampness and darkness while you dream away. With these tips on hand – enjoy the therapeutic benefits of sleeping with wet hair without fear of damage!

Avatar for Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and beard care expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of men make their beards look better and get fatter. His work has been mentioned in countless notable publications on men's care and style and has been cited in Seeker, Wikihow, GQ, TED, and Buzzfeed.