Even if you’re in full swing with work, exams, or parenting, sleep should be the most productive time of day when it comes to maximizing the beauty benefits of certain trusted hair care products and tools. Echoing the advice of pro stylists, we’ve broken down the best information on how to protect your hair while sleeping whether you have an androgynous hairstyle or a princess-style mane.
Set a sleep timer, pick a playlist, and get ready to absorb these facts before you drift off.
Take a cool shower.
You’ll not only feel better when you take a relaxing dip in neutral water at the end of the day, but also reap the benefits when it comes to your mane. Many stylists recommend a temperature below far boiling as a way to minimize the appearance of frizz and boost the appearance of shine.Whether you’re scrubbing your scalp or just doing a quick rinse, closing the hair strand cuticles by bed can help ensure you wake up on the right side of the bed (hair-wise) the next morning.
Looking for a product pick to help you on your way? From the L'Oréal portfolio of products, we recommend trying the Glow Dry Gloss Shampoo and Glow Dry Detangling Conditioner. Whether you heat style or air dry your hair, you’ll be pleased by the results.
Give your hair plenty of time to dry.
Once you’ve left childhood behind, it’s time to break the habit of sleeping on soaking wet hair. Besides potentially fostering the growth of bacteria on your pillow and pillowcase (uh, yuck), stylists say wet hair can potentially be damaged during sleep because it’s so fragile. You wouldn’t rough dry it with a towel, so don’t rub it against a pillowcase all night!Instead, bathe early and gently wring out excess moisture before exiting the shower. Pat your hair with a towel and go about your business. If you find your eyelids closing before your hair is 90 percent dry, use a spray heat protectant like Redken's Pillow Proof Blow Dry Primer Spray before rough drying the moisture away with a hairdryer.
Find a style you can snooze in.
The verdict is in: Sleeping with your hair back is an incredibly effective way to minimize frizz and knots. If you have breakage-prone or easily tangled strands, developing the habit of sleeping with your hair in a bun, ponytail, or braid is one of the easiest stylist-approved tricks you can try.
Feeling unhappy about the prospect of trying sleep with a French braid digging into your crown? Not to worry. A loose braid over one shoulder, a low ponytail, and a top knot above your hairline are all sleeping styles that don’t get between your scalp and your pillow.
Invest in accessories that don’t pull.
Horror stories abound about what happens to the hairlines of those who sleep in tight ponytails and buns. If you’re the kind of person who absolutely can’t abide loose hair, learning to use a new set of accessories may benefit your edges over time.Invest in loose satin scrunchies and spiral elastics, which can better distribute the weight of your hair than a traditional band and encourage loose, hairline-friendly styles while still keeping stray pieces out of your face.
Sleep on satin.
If you’ve noticed an influx of satin sleep accessories over the past few years, you’re not alone. Stylists say the satin may be less stressful on hair than traditional flannel and cotton pillowcases are, causing fewer snags and potentially minimizing friction at a relatively inexpensive price point.
To ensure you’re buying a satin accessory that’s helpful for your particular mane’s needs, consult your stylist before pulling the trigger on any big purchases. An expert can figure out whether or not satin pillowcases factor into your overall hair goals.
Maximize your styling.
Curly girls already know that pineappling is the best way to keep your ringlets intact overnight. We love the opportunities for loose braids and updos that create waves.
