After a long day, nothing is more soothing than a shower, followed by falling into bed
for some much needed sleep.
But drying your hair before hitting the sack may feel like an uphill task because it takes
so long and you are just too lazy to do it.
Then you end up sleeping with wet hair without giving it a second thought.
However, going to bed with wet hair can cause a whole lot of problems.
And in today’s video, we will tell you why it is a bad idea to sleep with wet hair and
what problems it can cause.
From acne, headaches, mould, hair breakage to dandruff and more, watch till the end to
learn about all of them.
It's Uncomfortable: The first reason why you shouldn't sleep with wet hair is that it's
downright uncomfortable.
Wet hair at night keeps you cold when you're trying to get cozy.
It's also not comfortable to have water dripping down your neck and back when trying to sleep.
Aside from that, your wet hair will get your pillows and blankets wet as well, and who
wants to sleep with wet pillows and blankets?
The inability to stay comfortable while sleeping with wet hair might not be a risk so to say,
but it's a good reason not to do it.
Promotes Bacterial Growth: We mentioned earlier that sleeping with wet hair will cause your
pillows and blankets to get wet.
And do you know what happens when they get wet?
It gives bacteria the opportunity to grow!
This is because the water from your wet hair mixed with the warmth from your body creates
the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria.
On top of it being a lot of work to wash sheets and pillowcases each morning, the dampness
from your hair will pass through your pillowcase and seep into the pillow itself as well.
Without proper drying, bacteria will have a good chance to grow here.
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Hair Breakage: Sleeping with wet hair does impact the hair itself.
Along with the inevitability of waking up with some seriously kinked bedhead, you may
also do damage to your hair.
Hair is at its weakest when it’s wet.
The main risk, other than cosmetic ones, is breakage of hair when tossing and turning
while sleeping.
This is particularly an issue if hair is braided or in a tight updo, which adds more tension
to the hair shaft.
If you can’t avoid sleeping with wet hair, your best bet is leaving it down.
You'll spend more time styling your hair: The term 'bed head' exists for a reason.
As your hair dries, it sets into place.
When you sleep, your hair is twisted into all sorts of strange styles, and if it's drying
while you sleep, it'll set that way too.
Normally the worst offenders are the crown of your head and the ends of your hair.
The only way to smooth out your hair is to spend a lot of time trying to restyle it.
You can do it by either re-wetting it, using heat tools or suffocating it with aerosols
and gels.
Fungal Infections: Sleeping with wet hair can increase your risk of developing a fungal
infection of the scalp.
Fungi, such as Malassezia, can lead to conditions like dandruff or dermatitis.
Along with the fungus naturally present on your scalp, pillows are also a hotbed for
fungus.
It thrives in a warm environment and a wet pillowcase and pillow provide the ideal breeding
ground.
An older study on the fungal flora found on bedding discovered anywhere between 4 to 16
species per pillow tested.
This included a common species of fungus responsible for causing severe infections in people with
weakened immune systems.
It may also worsen symptoms of asthma.
Causes Dandruff: The warmth of your head and the prolonged dampness of your hair will cause
bacteria and fungi to multiply on your scalp as well as your pillow.
Sleeping with damp hair also strips the natural oils away from your hair as they are easily
absorbed by the pillow's fabric along with the excess moisture.
The combination of bacteria growth and the loss of natural oils will make your scalp
more likely to develop dandruff, and who wants that?
Headaches: Sleeping with wet hair can increase the number of severe headaches you get.
This is because moisture can cause a sudden change in body temperature.
Wrapping your hair in a towel can make the problem even worse as the moisture is retained
for a longer period of time.
This affects blood circulation in the scalp and when tension increases, it can cause pain
that can interrupt your sleep.
Research suggests that wet hair in cold weather can be a shaping factor for sinus headaches.
Mould: Going to bed with wet hair is also very unhygienic.
Pillows are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Sweat, dead skin cells and oils are left behind in and on them.
Add wet hair to the mix and the pillow will be moist as well, and bacteria love humid
places.
This means you can end up with mould in your pillow.
Gross!
Acne: Yes, it’s a strange truth.
The prolonged dampness will result in the formation of scalp ringworms which is a type
of fungi.
That said, when you hit the hay with damp hair, it causes such deadly fungi to multiply
on your scalp and pillow.
This bacteria will not only damage your hair but also your face when it’s facing the
moist pillow.
Such deadly creatures break out your skin causing acne.
Loss Of Hair Shine: When your hair is healthy, it has a bounce and a shine that is highly
desirable.
Going to bed with wet hair can have a negative impact on that luxurious hair over time, as
the moisture left behind in the pillowcase works to break down the strength of the hair
shaft.
The wet hair combined with the wet pillowcase, works quickly at breaking down the hydrogen
bonds of the hair, resulting in your hair becoming brittle and losing its bounce and
shine.
The exposure to that moisture is counteracting all the work and effort you put in with your
hair treatment products during showering.
Now the fragile hair shafts are susceptible to damage more easily when you do normal things
like brushing, curling, or blow drying the hair.
The added buildup of fungus on the pillow every night exacerbates hair breakage, an
occurrence that simply replays itself night after night until you sleep with dry hair
on a clean pillow.
Ok, so you’ve tried your best but there are some nights when you just cannot wait
for your hair to dry and have to go to bed with wet hair.
So, what are the safest ways to do this?
Make sure it’s not sopping wet: Let’s be clear, your hair shouldn’t be so wet
that it leaves your pillow damp.
Do your best to let your hair air dry at least a bit before going to bed to reduce your risk
for damage and dandruff.
Switch up your shower timing: It’s not like you’ll go to bed with damp hair one night
and wake up the next morning with your hair falling out all over the place.
The kind of breakage that comes with sleeping with wet hair only develops after doing so
chronically.
So, if you can, try not to only sleep with wet hair and try not to do it every single
night.
But doing it once in a while isn’t likely to cause problems.
Don’t wear it up: Going to bed with wet hair actually isn’t the biggest hair mistake
people make, it’s going to bed with their hair up in a tight hairstyle.
Some people find that putting their hair up in a loose bun helps give them curls or waves
when they wake up.
But consistently wearing tighter hairstyles, especially in your sleep can make things worse.
You may unknowingly put even more pressure on the hair, pulling too much on the hair
follicle and cause real damage.
Even more so if your hair is wet and already prone to breakage.
Avoid other sources of hair damage: The degree to which going to bed with wet hair will cause
damage depends partly on how much damage your hair has already sustained.
So, if you’re someone who prefers to sleep with damp hair, try to avoid introducing other
sources of hair damage, like color treating your hair or frequent heat styling.
Try silk pillowcases or hair wraps: Silk pillowcases and hair wraps are marketed as being really
good for your skin and hair.
The thinking here is that these fabrics are much smoother than the usual cotton pillowcases,
which means your hair movement while you sleep isn’t as aggressive.
Because the hair moves more naturally and its interaction with the material is different,
it can be helpful.
How often do you sleep with wet hair at night?
Has it caused any problems for you?
Let us know in the comments section below!