How Should We Wear Our Hair To Bed?
The world's hair hero and darling Johnathan Van Ness has weighed in on the topic and said that sleeping with your hair down is damaging to your hair. They suggest instead sleeping with it in a bun using a silk scrunchie. I have personally witnessed a lot of damage done to beautiful tresses where sleeping in a bun was the culprit. So, although on a normal day, anything the Fab 5 says is law to me, I will be doing my due diligence for my guests at Misfit Concepts and conducting a little research for the facts on how we can damage our hair during sleep and how best to protect it!
JVN’s POV
This is the claim that really got me started on this blog:
Jonathan says taking care of your hair at night is going to bring the best out of your hair. Our hair only grows ¼-½ of an inch per month, so the ends of our long hair are quite old, making them very fragile (facts). When we sleep with our hair down, damage occurs due to the friction of our hair between our bodies and the pillowcase and is often pressed underneath our shoulders. Your body heat acts as your personal 100-degree flat iron that you are leaving on all night! They suggest gathering your hair on top of your head and loosely twisting it into a top bun and securing it with a silk scrunchie.
Ok, slay, I get it, I tried it, and I am sad to report that I (Ariana) do not really have the right hair type for this tip.
My hair is very fine and does not have a lot of density, and try as I might if I make my bun loose enough not to cause damage, that scrunchie is off my head and lost in the sheets. Fine hair is also very susceptible to damage, so securing it tighter is a no-go for me.
So what do we do? Here are some easy and effective alternatives.
1. Apply Hair Oil or Serum: Applying a small amount of hair oil or serum before bed can help moisturize and protect the hair while sleeping. This is an important protective step you do not want to skip no matter which approach you take!
2. Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase: Switching to a silk or satin pillowcase can reduce friction on the hair compared to cotton, which can cause less tangling and breakage. Combine this with either of the next two options I will list, and you will have seriously reduced your night time friction (for your hair, do what you want elsewhere boo :])
3. The Satin Bonnet: A true lifesaver for anyone looking to protect their hair while they sleep. Whether you have long locks or a short crop, a satin bonnet provides a protective barrier against friction and moisture loss, ensuring that you wake up with hair that's as healthy as can be.
4. The Silk Scarf Wrap: Not only does it scream vintage glamour, but it also works wonders in preventing frizz and breakage. Simply wrap your hair in a silk scarf before hitting the hay, and wake up to silky-smooth strands that are ready to take on the day!
5. The Braid: This hairstyle is as beautiful as it is practical. The braid not only looks stunning but also keeps your hair secure and tangle-free while you sleep. Plus, it's super easy to achieve – and more secure on fine low density hair IMO. Just do a basic single braid and let it work its magic overnight. Or use this time to finally master that fishtail braid!
I know one of these options will work for you!
This list combined with the non binary hair idol wisdom we received from JVN provides a good set of tips and techniques to better protect your hair while you sleep. If one doesn’t seem right for your specific and unique hair type, don’t be afraid to experiment!
with love, Ari
