It’s finally almost summer. This weekend Chicago saw its first taste of 90 degree temperatures and clear, blue skies. We all know that it’s almost inevitable to get a little sticky throughout the day once the temperature rises. Since we’re not going to become hermits, hiding at home in front of the AC, we tend to just put up with it and move showering to the nighttime. There’s nothing like a bedtime shower to wind you down and scrub the oil out of your hair. But are you supposed to sleep on wet hair? Contrary to popular belief, sleeping when your hair isn’t 100% dry is just fine if you take the right steps.
You’ve probably heard that sleeping on wet hair can cause you to get sick in the morning. Some people even claim to feel their throat getting scratchy when they wake up. The truth is: sleeping on wet hair will not cause illness. This is the same concept as the cold causing you to fall ill. Well, it’s not the cold making you sick and it sure isn’t your wet hair. It’s the viruses in the air we breathe that get into our system and cause the illness. These viruses don’t care if you’re cold or if you just got out of the shower, if they’re around, they’re going to get into your system despite the circumstances.
Another common myth about sleeping on wet hair is the overall fear that you will end up ruining your hair. Despite being almost impossible to comb through in the morning (especially if you hair long or wavy/curly hair), many of use worry that the act of actually sleeping (your head on the pillow, tossing and turning) will break and damage your strands. This is true, but it doesn’t have to be the case. Read on to figure out ways you can sleep on wet hair.
It’s important to prep your hair for every hairstyle you do. Products are an awesome way to boost up your hair, condition them and keep them in check throughout the day. Prepping is also extremely important when it comes to sleeping on damp hair. The first thing you should grab is a leave in conditioner (or a small amount of your regular conditioner). If you’re not a huge fan of leave-ins, try using oil. MoroccanOil or Aveda’s Dry Remedy Oil are wonderful products for your hair because they get help rejuvenate and add moisture.
Another great product to use is an air drying cream such as Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Nourishing Styling Crème. These products do not need to be activated with heat and help maintain silky strands as your hair air dries. You can put both products in your palm, rub your hands together and apply to your hair. Then, using a wide toothed comb, comb through to make sure your products are evenly distributed. Ask your XEX Stylist if there’s any other product they would recommend. Some hairstyles that are listed below may have better results with different products.
Finally, do not leave your hair sopping wet. Hair that’s dripping will still be wet in the morning. It will also soak your pillow and sheets as you’re lying there trying to catch some shut eye. Instead, allow your hair to air dry until it’s just damp (about 80% dry). If you don’t have time, gently blow-dry it until your hair feels a little damp (and no longer soaking). This way, your hair will be dry and your styles will hold in the morning when you take your hair down.
Going back to the fear your pillow case is going to destroy your hair, the truth is that the wrong type of pillow case will, in fact, cause damage. Cotton, for example, is an extremely rough material on your hair and sucks out moisture while causing breakage. The best materials for wet hair are silk and satin. The sleek fabric is smooth, gentle and allows your hair to move around freely without any restrictions. These types of fabrics will ensure your hair is silky (or at least not unruly) in the morning.
Another way to sleep on wet hair- and stop unwanted creasing and wild locks- is to grab a scrunchie. Most of us may be thinking ‘what, are we in the 80s?’ but the truth of the matter is, scrunchies are great tools for sleeping on wet hair. Not only do they keep your hair in place, but they’re also not super tight on your hair and won’t cause any creasing. Twist your hair in a bun on top of your head; secure it with one of these vintage miracle workers, and wake up to volume and waves.
This may be one of the most popular ways to sleep on wet hair, and there’s a good reason for that. A quick braid before bed will result in beautiful curls that were almost effortless. Now, if the sound of ‘heatless curls’ isn’t enough to convince you, braiding just so happens to be one of the most versatile ways to curl your hair in your sleep (literally). There’s a ton of ways to braid your hair and each way results in a different kind of wave. Next time you’re sitting down with your XEX Stylist, talk to them about braiding your hair before you sleep. See which type of styles they recommend for your hair type.
So, while its summer and you’re looking to start showering at night instead of in the morning, don’t worry! Follow this guide and sleep through the night worry free. Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, talk to your XEX stylist.
