So, you’ve read all the haircare articles and educated yourself about everything from hair types and hydration to shampoos and styling. You’ve used your knowledge to successfully put into practice a haircare routine with all the products and protocols that work best for you. Your hair is as healthy as it has ever been, and you feel as if you’ve finally unlocked the secret code to handling any hair issues that come your way. Congratulations, and good for you!
However, if you're like most men, you may have missed one of the most neglected areas of haircare -- protecting your hair while you're sleeping. You may wonder what could harm your hair while you're just lying there…sleeping…doing nothing. But while you catch a few Zs, your hair can become tangled, break, or even cause mold! Considering how much time, money, and effort you put into taking care of your hair while you're awake, it's worth considering how you might protect that investment while you are asleep. Below are 7 ways you can protect your hair while sleeping.
#1 - Upgrade Your Pillowcase
If you currently use pillowcases made of cotton or flannel, you should know that even minimal hair rubbing against these materials can cause frizziness, split ends, and hair breakage. Although this friction may not seem like much, over time, it can accumulate and cause serious damage. Making the simple switch to a satin or silk pillowcase can do wonders for your hair.
Despite what many people think, satin is not itself a fabric. It’s actually a weave of different fibers (threads used to make materials). Satin weaves are available in silk, rayon, polyester, and mixes. Silk, on the hand, is a natural fiber created through the labor-intensive process of extracting the fiber from insects. Silk is a hypoallergenic fiber that is cooler to sleep on but is more expensive than satin because of how it is made.
Because they provide less pulling and friction on your hair, satin and silk pillowcases are both healthier than the cotton pillowcases that frequently accompany sheet sets in several important ways:
- Frizz Protection – Satin/Silk is a smooth material that doesn't irritate the hair cuticle. That’s especially good news for men like US.
- Less Tangling - Cotton-based fabrics prevent your hair from moving when you change positions while sleeping. With a satin or silk pillowcase, you won't have to worry about waking up with fine, dry, or prone-to-tangling hair any longer.
- Reduced Hair Breakage – Because satin and silk pillowcases result in less tangling, you significantly reduce the chances of hair breaking.
- Hairstyles Last Longer – Whether you’re working with waves, braids, dreads, curls or twists, hairstyles last a bit longer when they rest overnight on a satin or silk pillowcase.
- Increased Hair Hydration – Satin and silk pillowcases absorb less moisture than cotton pillowcases, so more moisture remains with your hair.
It’s worth noting that satin and silk pillowcase hair benefits also translate to skin health. Men who use pillowcases of these materials can expect better-hydrated skin, reduced acne, and less skin stretching, resulting in permanent sleep wrinkles.
Related Article: Why A Daily Beard & Skin Care Routine Is Crucial
#2 - Use A Satin-Lined Head Wrap
Dry hair is fragile hair, and similar to satin pillowcases, durags, bonnets, wave caps and other head wraps made with satin protect your hair from damage while you sleep. Remember, while you toss and turn, your pillow is also sucking moisture and oils from your hair, making it even more brittle. Covering your hair with a head wrap like our satin-lined turban at night helps avoid pore blockage and breakouts by preventing oil from your hair from getting on your face and pillow. These pre-tied halo turbans are not only designed to protect your hair when you sleep but also while you work out, relax, or go about your day. While there are many types of head wraps available, including satin-lined bonnets, durags, wave caps, hair scarves, and stocking caps, the satin-lining and sleek design of these halo turbans make them the ideal suitable accessory for a good night’s sleep.
#3 - Brush and Dry Your Hair Before Going To Bed
Brushing or combing your hair before bed is a relaxing, simple habit that promotes healthy hair. Use a wide-toothed comb or a brush with natural bristles, brushing your hair from root to tip for several minutes. In doing so, you distribute the natural oils from your scalp throughout your hair.
Also, your hair is more fragile when wet, so it's often a good idea to dry it before bed to avoid frizziness, breakage and ultimately, mold. If you get impatient with how long it takes to dry your hair, remember towels made of microfiber are a terrific method to quicken the drying process without using heat. Also, consider showering a little earlier in the evening before you go to bed. This allows more time for your hair to dry naturally.
#4 - Use A Humidifier
A humidifier can help your hair (and skin) stay hydrated when your bedroom has extremely dry air, especially during the colder months! Remember, you want the air to be more humid, not turn your bedroom into a Louisiana swamp. The purpose of a humidifier in a bedroom with dry air isn't to make the space excessively moist. Instead, calibrate your humidifier to approximately 35 to 40 percent, which is considered “normal.” This humidity level keeps your hair protected as you sleep and helps avoid dry skin and hair static the next day.
If you have the option, you should choose a cool-mist humidifier over a warm-mist humidifier. Although warm-mist humidifiers are generally less expensive, cool-mist options are safer for kids and pets, more energy-efficient, and less resistant to the growth of mold and mildew.
#5 - Moisturize Your Hair Before Bedtime
Hair can dry out quickly overnight. Your pillowcases and sheets absorb the natural oils in your hair; with time, your hair can become dehydrated. By using a spray of water or a daily hair moisturizer to feed your hair some moisture before bedtime, you can avoid many problems that dry hair leads to, including breakage.
You can also use a leave-in oil to seal in your hair’s moisture. Some common overnight oils include coconut oil, virgin olive oil, sesame oil, lemongrass oil, and almond oil. While you should apply overnight oil to dry hair once or twice weekly, you should limit the application to every two weeks if you have oily hair.
#6 - Massage Your Scalp
A relaxing scalp massage before bed is a great de-stressor and promotes healthy hair. Like a facial massage, a scalp massage boosts blood flow and stimulates hair follicles, allowing hair to grow to its full potential. While oil nourishes your hair with deep conditioning, you can massage your scalp with or without it. If you do choose to use oil, be prepared to take steps to either wash it out or cover it before getting into bed, as your pillowcases and bed sheets can easily absorb them.
It's easy to incorporate scalp massages into your self-care routine, and although there aren't any established procedures for giving a scalp massage by hand, you can start with these simple steps:
- With your palms or fingertips touching your scalp, apply light to medium pressure.
- Spend a few seconds making small circular motions with your hands on one area of your scalp. Once you have covered your entire head, continue to the next area.
- Continue massaging for approximately six minutes.
- Repeat once or twice daily.
You can use the same method to apply your shampoo or conditioner in the shower. And, if you prefer, you can use a massage brush or other tool instead of your hands.
#7 - Maintain A Balanced, Nutritious Diet
The better you understand nutrition and how it benefits hair health, the happier you (and your hair) will be. Some of the best foods for hair include salmon, almonds, olives, veggies, whole grains, and avocados. All are examples of unprocessed foods rich in healthy oils and fats that supply your hair with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy.
People who are vitamin deficient are more likely to suffer from hair loss and other issues. And, unless you are consistently hyper-vigilant about what you eat, it's also a good idea to take supplements. While vitamin B provides energy and helps your hair's general health, vitamin C supports hair development, renews tissues, and aids in the absorption of iron (which distributes oxygen to your hair follicles). Vitamin E is also recommended because it stimulates blood circulation to the scalp.
Related Article: Food For Thought: A Look At The Relationship Between Foods & Hair
Summary
Developing an effective nighttime haircare process is sooo important to having that grade A grooming routine! From protecting your hair with silk/satin pillowcases, satin-lined halo turbans and durags, to keeping your air humidified and your diet clean, there are tons that you can do to “healthify” you hair. As you continue your hair & beard care journey, just know that we’re here for you and we’re with you every step of the way. Stop back by for more tips & learnings!
