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-Nov 4, 2022
How to Protect (And Wear) Your Hair While You Sleep
Relaxation playlist? Check. Aromatherapy diffuser? Check. Melatonin gummies for better sleep? Got those, too! Our sleep routines are filled with shut-eye tools, but what about when our head hits the pillow?
That being said, we may not be giving much thought to what happens to our hair while we snooze. Just think: Are you protecting your hair during those forty winks? While you might put on night cream to strengthen your skin’s barrier while you sleep, you can engage in similar practices that make your hair healthier and stronger.
According to Revela chief scientific officer David Zhang, consistent hair care even during sleep is the key to healthier and fuller looking hair. “A hair-care routine that is customized for your hair type and incorporates hair loss prevention measures will not only keep your locks looking full and beautiful, but will also minimize the effects of age-related hair thinning,” says Zhang.
And that’s where getting a good night’s rest comes in. Clocking in a full eight hours of sleep helps maintain your tresses. “Your hair follicles are incredibly sensitive to stress and a whole slew of external factors, many of which may actively damage your hair,” says Zhang. “Your body does so much for you while you sleep, so don’t stress and let your body do the hard work.”
Zhang’s overarching piece of advice is to know your hair (think, type, texture, dryness). From there you can customize a routine that works with your strand type. Next, look for nourishing ingredients in products—like ProCelinyl™ for follicle health—that’ll ultimately keep your mane healthy, shiny, and full.
With this in mind, there’s lots of information out there and even more options on how to care for your hair. But, don’t stress. Whether it’s adding in restorative serum or adding hair-supportive tools (like a soft, satiny pillowcase), there’s a few things you can do. With a few simple tweaks, you can be well on your way to keeping hair happy and shiny while you rest.
Once you pinpoint your hair type (and even goals, like hair loss prevention), you’re ready to scoop in practices that’ll soothe your hair during your nightly Zs. Curious? Scroll on for five tips on how to protect and wear your hair while you sleep.
1. Use a silk (or satin) pillowcase and head scarf.
Your sleep routine is about to get an accessory upgrade. For folks with longer hair, Zhang says those strands are more prone to damage.Throughout the night, hair is prone to frizziness and breakage as it rubs against the fabric case. “Use a silk pillowcase or a hair scarf to reduce friction and keep your hair protected,” Zhang says. “These fabrics are naturally hypoallergenic and allow your hair to slide easily, so rest assured your restless sleep won’t damage your hair.”
2. Add in a helpful hair serum.
Mix in a hydration-friendly shampoo and conditioner into your wash routine to prevent dryness, then follow it up with a handy serum like Revela Hair Revival Serum ($98) to prevent loss and bolster hair resiliency that can lead to bouncier, thicker and fuller strands. “You can get the most out of sleep by adding a lightweight hair serum as a scalp treatment to improve scalp and hair follicle health,” Zhang says.
3. Don’t go to bed with wet hair.
If your usual regimen includes showering at night, Zhang says not to fall asleep with a wet head. “Your hair is extremely weak when it is wet, making it prone to breakage,” Zhang says. “If you wash your hair before bed, apply a detangling or conditioning product to help avoid brushing too harshly.”
4. Brush and detangle your tresses.
Treat your hair gently and Zhang recommends detangling hair with a wide-toothed comb after every wash. Soft brushing will reduce breakage and can help assist in decreasing hair strand weakness.
5. Wear a scrunchie.
“Don’t sleep in a ponytail and avoid using elastic hair bands,” Zhang says. “These will put extra stress on your hair and when pulled too tightly can cause traction alopecia in the worst cases.” Instead, wear your hair up in a soft bun or in braids with a soft satin scrunchie. Pro tip: Make the bun or braids loose but not so loose the style falls out of the scrunchie.