The need to protect your long hair when you sleep can result in an incredibly hairy situation. If you’ve ever woken with your hair curled in the form of a frizz ball, knotted up or matted down you’ve probably experienced the tension.

If you are having long hair, thus sleeping with it not secured correctly can result in more than simply one bad hair day. As time passes, your sleeping habits could result in hair breaking and damage.

Let’s go over the basics of sleeping with hair that is long. Whatever type of hair you have and whether it’s colour treated and chemically straightened here are some suggestions on how to care for your hair as you rest.

How-to-sleep-with-long-hair

Sleeping with Long locks

The most proven methods to protect your long hair while you are sleeping focus on the products applied over the course of the sleeping night and hairstyling methods to prevent breakage. The environment, such as moisture in your hair, as well as your bedding, may also be a factor.

Choose a satin or silk pillowcase

This is an important one. If you often toss and move around when you lie down on your bed and your hair is getting rubbed against the thread fibres of your pillow every time you move. This could stress the hair and cause frizz. It can also cause the hair to break.

A pillowcase made of satin or silk fibres could lessen how much friction that is placed on your hair when you are sleeping. In addition the pillowcases could reduce the stretch and tension of your skin during sleep, which can help to ward off wrinkles that are due to the ageing process. Silk and satin are cool and hypoallergenic fibres in comparison to cotton.

You can time your showers in a different way

If you fall asleep with even a tiny amount or moisture present in your hair, it could cause your hair to break or matte in the morning. Your hair is at its most fragile when they are soaked with moisture. Even the most sound sleeper can shift and toss their head during the night and that motion tends to cause wet hair to be tangled.

If your schedule permits you, make sure to wash your hair around an hour in the morning when you have ample time to air dry your hair before going to bed. Don’t forget to end your shower with a blast of cold water to assist you to seal moisture in your hair. Before going to bed, you might also want to blow dry your hair completely and then make use of one of the style tips below to ensure your blowout stays fresh and your hair tangle-free.

Make sure you wrap your hair in either a scarf or wrap

The use of a hair scarf or wrap may help ensure that you’re not losing sleep worrying about crushing or denting the newly styled hair. Based on the type of hair you have, you may prefer to utilise silk or satin to minimise friction when you are sleeping.

If you carefully wrap your hair and tuck any unwanted pieces of hair away from the neck area, you’re preventing any sweat or humidity that could cause your hair to become frizzy.

The idea of sleeping with your hair wrapped is the best option if you want to get up with a straight, smooth hairstyle. The addition of long bobby pins the hair wrap can make it more secure and increase the effect of straightening. Make sure to brush your hair once you get up, and you’ll be good to get ready for the day.

Brush Your Hair before getting ready for bed

You might want to consider adding another type of brushing to your sleeping routine. If you remove shreds and tangles from hair by brushing out before your bedtime, you’re becoming proactive in tackling hair frizz and matte. It doesn’t require a very long time to complete it. Based on your hair type, using a wide-toothed comb or paddle brush can be effective to brush out your hair prior to styling it for the night and then going to bed.

Change to scrunchies

Elastic hair bands are the usual choice when it comes to making sure your hair is secure for the evening. However, they can cause stress to the scalp and hair because they are pulling your hair back. The friction can cause breakage and frizz. You may just to be asleep with a rubber band in your hair.

Instead, tie your hair back to form a top knot by using the fabric scrunchie that is made with satin or silk. This is giving your hair a rest from the friction. You’ll be less likely to get up with a noticeable “dent” in your hair when you pull it back. This will be able to save time styling during the day.

Protecting Hair Ends with essential oil

Hair’s ends may be bearing the brunt of the damage when you are asleep. Even if you lie on the back of your head, you could get your long hair crushed and not even know it.

You can safeguard your hair ends through using essential oils prior to sleeping. Almond oil, argan oil, Jojoba oil or coconut oil are great inspirations to begin. Make sure your hair is secured in braids or by using a fabric scrunchie, after which you can warm some droplets of essential oils between your palm using your fingers to rub. You will only require a tiny amount. Apply the oil on your hair, and focus around the hair ends. This will help to avoid split ends from beginning to form and seal your hair against friction.

Make sure you condition your hair before you sleep.

If your hair is supposed to be dry during sleep doesn’t mean it’s dry out and dehydrated upon waking up. If you often wake up with hair that’s difficult to manage and frizzy. A leave-in conditioner could be the solution. Prior to styling and securing your hair to sleep, a spritz of leave-in conditioner containing proteins or keratin can improve your hair as you relax.

The ideal leave-in conditioner for you will differ based on the type of hair you have. Hair that is prone to drying out will do well by using a leave-in conditioner that is hydrating. Hair that is oily could require a leave-in conditioner that has a light formulation of botanical extracts, and not many other extra ingredients. The formulas are available in spray bottles and are designed for use on hair that is dry are the best option.

Sleep with Hair Braids

If you’re looking in the morning to be greeted with beautiful wavy locks and not have to deal with tangled knots, consider braiding your hair before you go to bed. Any braid can work regardless of whether it’s a single braid, or a number of small braids or the French braid if you are looking to make a statement.

Securing your braid at the bottom with a smaller scrunchie rather than an elastic band. If you’d like to give your hair additional protection, you could tie your braid as a top knot over your head. You can also simply wrap the braid around and tie it to your head, away from your neck. This will help keep your hair from moisture, sweat, and friction.

Make use of a hair serum or hair mask

Lightweight hair serum can help to control frizz while asleep, just like a hair mask that is suitable for use over the night. Make sure you’re not trying to get your hair wet or to swell the follicles of your hair using any product you apply for the whole night. It’s just the objective of adding and sealing moisture without adding the weight or causing friction to your hair.

Avoid any product that contains an acidic ingredient (like citric acid and apple cider vinegar) since they are not recommended to be kept on your hair longer than six hours. Avoid the use of heavy protein supplements like egg which could weigh down the hair and increase the likelihood of breaking. Choose gentle lighter botanicals (like aloe vera or peppermint ) which can help sealing in the shine as well as stimulate your scalp and aid in detangling the hair in the day.

Install the humidifier or fan to your bedroom

All forms of heat could remove moisture from the air, and take an effect on your hair. This includes the heating system located in the bedroom.

Make sure that the air circulation is moving through your bedroom with a fan , so you don’t sweat during the night that will cause you to wake up with hair that is damp. You could also think about using a humidifier to bring moisture back into the room’s air.

Do you prefer to wear your hair down or up?

The best way to guard long hair when you are sleeping is to secure it gently. The idea of sleeping with tresses that are free-flowing might seem appealing, however the reality is that you’re probably going to be waking up in a hair mess that is sweaty and tangled when you don’t figure out ways to keep your hair during the sleeping night.

The key is not to pull your hair too tightly against your head so that it applies pressure on your scalp when you are sleeping. Hair should be secured adequately in order not get tangled or snarled. However it shouldn’t be hairstyled in a way that causes friction or breaks.

Some good options to wear your hair to bed are:

  • A loose, functional top knot tied in the top of your head. It is then tied by a fabric scrunchie.
  • One or more loose braids near the nape of the neck
  • Wrapping hair in a head scarf or a turban

What can you do about long hair?

What you don’t do to your hair during the night could be as simple as following the advice above and gently securing your hair during the evening. Because long hair is susceptible to tangling and breakage, it’s vital to keep these issues in mind while trying to maintain longer locks.

  • Do not sleep with your hair tied in a ponytail. Try one of the other hairstyles above, such as loose braids or loose buns.
  • Do not use elastics or clips made of metal. Consider a sleep-friendly option, such as a satin finish.
  • Do not fall asleep with your hair wet. Even if you are unable to keep it from happening, at the very most, secure your hair and then brush it out prior to falling asleep.

Takeaway

It’s possible to protect (and possibly nourish) your locks’ long hair while you’re sleeping. This can require some trial and experience as well as you might be tempted to test the above mentioned methods one at a time to see what’s going to be effective for you.

Take into consideration your type of hair and if your hair already suffers damage from chemical treatments before deciding what is the most effective. If you’re concerned about frizz or breakage, consult with a hair care expert to determine what suggestions for your particular hair issues.