We’re experts on all things hair at Strand & Lock, and one question we’re frequently asked is how to protect your hair while sleeping. Seemingly harmless practices can cause tangles and breakage, such as sleeping with wet hair, using cotton pillowcases and over-brushing.

There are some easy ways to treat your hair at bedtime that can make an enormous difference. Here are eight tips for truly protecting your hair while sleeping.

8 Ways to Best Protect Hair When Sleeping

The most effective ways to protect hair while sleeping are to apply products overnight and to use hairstyling strategies to minimise breaking. Environmental factors such as how wet your hair is or what type of bedding you have can also play a role.

1. Use a silk or satin pillowcase

This is the first port of call when it comes to protecting your hair while sleeping. Your hair rubs against the thread fibres in your pillow every time you move if you toss and turn in bed, and your cotton pillowcase may be pulling on your hair. This can cause your hair to become stressed and frizzy, and may eventually result in breaking. A pillowcase made of silk or satin fibres will help prevent hair friction while you sleep.

2. Time your showers

When your hair strands are wet, they are at their weakest and most vulnerable. Even the soundest sleeper moves their head occasionally throughout the night, and this movement is more prone to tangle damp tresses.

If your schedule allows, wash your hair an hour before going to bed, so it has plenty of time to air dry. To help seal moisture into your hair, finish your showers with a blast of cold water. You should also try to blow dry your hair entirely before going to bed.

3. Wrap your hair in a scarf

With a hair wrap or scarf, you won’t have to worry about denting or crushing your freshly styled hair. Depending on your hair type, a silk or satin material may be preferable to prevent friction while you sleep. You can avoid humidity and sweat by neatly wrapping your hair and tucking any loose pieces away from your neck. Brush your hair as soon as you wake up and you’ll be ready for the day.

4. Brushing before bedtime

Consider putting a different type of brushing into your bedtime routine. You may prevent frizz and matted hair by combing out tangles from your hair before going to bed. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Brush your hair from root to tip, the strokes help move the natural oils from your scalp through your hair.

5. Switch-up to scrunchies

When fixing your hair for the evening, elastic hairbands are a popular choice. However, because they pull your hair back, these elastics can cause damage to your hair shaft, roots and scalp. This friction causes frizz and breakage. Instead, use a fabric scrunchie made of, you guessed it, silk or satin to tie your hair back into a topknot. This will relieve the friction on your hair.

6. Use essential oil to protect ends

The ends of your hair are particularly vulnerable to damage as you sleep. Using essential oils before going to bed might help protect your ends. You can start with argan oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or even coconut oil. Warm a few drops of the oil between your palms by rubbing your hands together, then secure your hair in a braid or with a fabric scrunchie. Only a smidgeon of oil is required. Apply the oil to your hair, paying particular attention to the ends. This will help to protect your hair from friction and prevent split ends from forming.

7. Turn on a fan or humidifier

Any type of heat can dehydrate the air, causing damage to your hair. This could include your bedroom’s heating system. Use a fan to circulate air in your room so you don’t become overheated at night and wake up with damp hair. You can also use a humidifier to restore moisture to the air in your bedroom.

8. Apply an Overnight Repair Serum

For dry or cracked ends, an overnight treatment can be the best remedy. Aveda’s botanical repair™ strengthening overnight serum builds bonds, repairs all three layers of hair, and reduces the appearance of split ends by 84% overnight, powered by Nangai oil. Get a full night’s deep renewal with this overnight hair serum that absorbs quickly and strengths hair from the inside out. Wake up to stronger, healthier-looking hair after just one night thanks to this overnight hair treatment.

Strand & Lock London Salon

While you sleep, you can care for (and even nurture) your locks using our top tips. This approach may require some trial and error, so why not try one idea at a time to find what works best for you, or better yet, ask a hair professional.

When deciding the best way to protect hair when sleeping, or if you’re concerned about night-time breakage and frizz, speak with one of our hair care specialists to get suggestions for your particular hair concerns.

Check out our services or get in touch if you have any questions about taking care of your hair while you sleep.