The eternal debate: Which is healthier, sleeping with your hair loose or sleeping with your hair tied up? Loose locks damage the skin, and tight elastics damage the hair. Which is the best hairstyle to go to bed? Time to clarify!
Pimples From Loose Hair?
Sleeping with the hair down has been proven to be harmful to the skin. According to dermatologists, locks attract dirt. When you sleep with your hair down, you expose your skin to all sorts of bacteria. And as you can imagine, this can lead to further acne. Do you sleep with your hair in a ponytail, bun, or braids? If you do, you will have less trouble with this problem. It is good for your skin, but make sure that it’s not too tight.
Hair Loss Due to Tight Elastic Bands
And sleeping with your hair tied up? What about it? Sleeping with the hair tied up too tight can cause hair loss and thinning of the hairline. Tying your hair with an elastic band that pulls hard and puts tension on the hair follicles is harmful. As a result, blood circulation is reduced, and the scalp is damaged, causing hair loss and baldness. This phenomenon is also known as traction alopecia.
Great Tips for Sleeping With Your Hair Tied Up
Proper elastic: There are now many elastic bands designed to fit your hair. Avoid elastic bands with metal pieces. Consider satin scrunchies or invisible ones. Your hair will thank you.
Tie loosely: Do not pull the elastic too hard. If you do, tie the elastic loosely or braid your hair loosely to minimize damage to your hair.
Silk pillowcases: Choose silk pillowcases. These pillowcases are so smooth that your hair and skin glide over them without friction. Your hair will be less damaged, and your skin will stay moisturized.
Tips for Sleeping With Your Hair Down
Wash your hair before going to bed: This helps to remove dirt from your hair during the day. However, be careful not to wash too much.
Remove hair from your face: Try to remove as much hair as possible before sleep or use a convenient hair clip.
Clean pillowcase: Replace your pillowcase with a clean one every two to three days. That way, there is no chance for bacteria on the pillow caused by skin or hair.
Sleep with a scarf around your head: Do you really hate sleeping with your hair tied up because it pulls on your scalp? But maybe you suffer from pesky acne because of your oily hair? Then it would be best if you wrapped a silk scarf around your head before going to bed. That way, your hair won’t be in your face, and you won’t have to tie it up in a bun or ponytail. Choose a silk scarf because it is the best way to protect your hair from damage.
Go to bed with dried hair: We are all guilty of going to bed right after taking a shower and falling asleep before our hair is dry. Just as our mothers scolded us when we were young, our hairdressers still scold us when we continue this bad habit as adults.
It’s not a good idea to go to bed with wet hair. It dries up badly and in the morning, you have to use other tools, like a straightening iron or curling iron, which can cause more damage in the long run.
If you absolutely have to go to bed without completely drying your hair, apply an ultra-moisturizing hair mask or conditioner before bed.
Whether you sleep with your hair down or tucked in, it is vital to take care of your hair and skin during the day as well as at night. So, know your hair type and determine which products and ingredients are essential for shiny, strong, healthy hair.