What Causes Hair Breakage at Night?
Maybe you’re a tosser-and-turner, maybe you’re a blanket-snuggler, but all of us move at least a little bit when we sleep. And because your head is on a pillow, when you move, your strands can catch and snap, which leads to damage and frizz. This can become a vicious cycle: the more damage your hair has, the more prone it is to getting more damage. Luckily, there are a few easy solutions.
How to Prep Your Hair Before Bed
First, you want to prep your hair for a healthy night’s sleep. If your hair is feeling dry, gently finger comb or spray moisturizing treatments into it, which can help protect your strands from breakage. If it’s feeling ultra-dry or unhealthy, you can even use a hair mask and leave it on while you sleep — just be sure you have time to wash it out in the morning. (If you opt to do this, you’ll want to use one of our tips below to prevent product from getting on your pillows and sheets.)
How to Wear Your Hair to Bed to Prevent Breakage
Protecting your hair while you sleep can make all the difference between a bedhead and a head full of great hair just out of bed.
Scrunchies
Wearing your hair up while you sleep can help prevent snag damage, but hair ties can actually do more harm than good because of how tight they are. Putting your hair up in a loose bun or ponytail with a scrunchie is an easy way to protect it.
Braids
From box braids to knotless braids, these styles are both gorgeous and protective, and can help prevent breakage while you sleep. As a plus, you don’t have to spend much time styling when you wake up – you’re already ready to go.
Scarves
A silk scarf can add another layer of protection to your hair, creating a physical barrier between your strands and the outside world. Plus, they make even the plainest sleepwear look luxurious.
Silk Pillowcases
If you don’t love the feel of scrunchies, braids or scarves while you sleep, you can swap your normal pillowcase for a silk one. The sleep fabric shouldn’t catch or damage your strands as much as a cotton pillowcase will.
Want to know more about what makes your hair, your hair? Learn more about the science behind the strands at our Tips & Tricks.
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We're obsessed with hair and the science behind what makes it look and feel amazing. Our dedicated team leverages years of extensive haircare research and product development led by pioneering cosmetic scientists, PhDs in Biology and Chemistry, along with esteemed professional hair stylists from around the globe. Our goal is to be the most accurate and easy-to-use platform for you to learn about your hair. Our HairCode Quiz is built to harness a wealth of haircare research to give you a straightforward and science-backed haircare regimen recommendation based on questions that matter. We know that hair can be complicated. That's why we break it down for you piece by piece with your unique HairCode. So, let's get to the root of it... Because we are here to support you on a journey of self-discovery and love for your hair.
