In the world of beauty, there are certain nuggets of wisdom we’ve all heard before and accepted as truth, one of those nuggets being “don’t sleep with wet hair” rule. A lifelong advocate of nighttime showers, I’ve struggled with the idea that you shouldn’t go to sleep with wet hair if you want to avoid damage. Spending time blow-drying or air-drying my hair post-shower or pre-bed is just not conducive with my day-to-day routine. If you find yourself in the same boat, keep reading for expert advice on how you can safely sleep with wet hair.
Featured Experts
- Paul Labrecque is the creative director, master stylist and colorist with Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa
- Atalaya Figueroa is a hairstylist and color/blonding specialist
- Lazhane Hightower is a hair and scalp specialist
Is it bad to sleep with wet hair?
While we wish it weren’t true, hairstylist and color/blonding specialist Atalya Figueroa begins says that sleeping with wet hair gets a bad rep for good reason. “Sleeping with wet hair can be bad for your hair because damp strands are weaker and more prone to breakage,” she says. “Friction from your pillow can roughen the cuticle and lead to frizz or split ends, too.” Hair and scalp specialist Lazhane Hightower agrees, adding that “When hair is wet, it’s in its most fragile and porous state, making it more prone to breakage, extreme frizz and long-term damage that could take years to repair. For clients dealing with scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, leaving the scalp damp for hours can also create the perfect environment for fungus and bacteria to thrive. I always suggest drying the hair at least 90% (diffuse or is it under a dryer) before bed, allowing the last bit to finish air-drying right before you sleep.
How can you protect your wet hair when you sleep?
While our experts agree that sleeping with your wet hair is best avoided, if your routine doesn’t allow for a full dry before bed, there are expert-approved ways to minimize damage while you sleep with wet strands.
“To help protect your hair overnight, I recommend applying a reparative mask, like Oli G’s Atomic Hair Repair Leave-In Treatment ($65), to strengthen and smooth the hair while you sleep,” Figueroa says. “This one specifically is packed with natural and botanical proteins so it’s good for your strands, and saves you from frizz when you wake up the next morning.”
“While I recommend avoiding sleeping with wet hair entirely, if a client absolutely has to—whether it’s due to time or following a dermatologist’s wet treatment scalp treatments—I recommend keeping the hair in individual braids or twists, such as mini twists or knotless box braids,” says Hightower. “This allows the hair to be tamed and not freely searching for moisture on extremely hydrated hair. Many people might think to wrap it with a scarf, but I don’t suggest further enclosing damp hair since it can trap moisture, lead to odor and worsen damage,” she adds. “Instead, I recommend using a silk pillowcase and replacing or washing it the next morning to maintain both scalp and hair health.
Creative director, master stylist and colorist with Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, Paul Labrecque also recommends prepping wet hair for bed with a nourishing treatment. “I highly suggest applying the Biologique Recherche Masque Dermo-Apaisant ($75) before you head to bed,” he says. “Then wrap your hair up in a warm turban—like a Turbie Twist ($40 for 4) and call it a night. Rinse out in the morning when you wake up and end with a cold blast in the shower to close the cuticles and to increase added shine.” Figueroa also advises clients to invest in a silk pillowcase to help minimize damage when sleeping with wet hair. “This helps to reduce friction and silk pillowcases won’t absorb moisture, so your hair will still be fully nourished the next day.”
