Is it really that bad to sleep with wet hair?
Sometimes a late shower is the only shower. Here's how to make it gentler on your hair.
Your mom probably told you that you'd catch a cold. You won't. But sleeping with wet hair isn't great for your hair, and here's why.
Wet hair is fragile hair
When hair gets wet, it absorbs water and swells, which makes it stretchier and easier to snap. Add a night of tossing against a rough pillowcase and you can wake up with tangles, kinks and more breakage than you'd like.
Plan A: dry it a little
You don't need a full blow-dry. Getting it to about 80 percent dry on low heat makes a real difference.
Plan B: you're exhausted
- Squeeze, don't rub. Use a microfiber towel or an old cotton T-shirt.
- Leave-in first, then detangle gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
- Braid it loosely or twist it into a soft bun so it moves less while you sleep.
- Pick a smooth surface. Fragile, damp hair is exactly the hair that benefits most from silk.
Wet hair isn't the enemy. Wet hair plus friction is.
One more thing
Damp hair means a damp pillow. Let your bedding air out in the morning and wash your pillowcase regularly.
The short version
Wet hair is more fragile. Dry it partly if you can, braid it loosely and sleep on a smooth surface.
