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Summary: In this blog, learn how different hair types need different things when we're asleep! From wet hair, to curly hair to long hair, learn how to support your mane in the most optimal way whilst you slumber...

Sleep. Nearly none of us get enough of it, and yet it’s one of the most important things we can do for our bodies. It’s the time the body rests, resets, regenerates and rejuvenates everything from our skin cells, to digestion, to muscle repair, to hair!

But, how does your hair type need support when you sleep? Or is the way you like to sleep affecting your hair…?

How to sleep with wet hair

When your hair is wet, it’s at its most vulnerable. It’s advisable to dry your hair before you sleep because it’s more susceptible to damage and breakage when it rubs against your pillow. This is a particular issue if you sleep with it wet and up, or wet and braided, as the vulnerable hair strands are pulled tighter in these styles.

You’re also at a higher risk of developing fungal infections on your scalp and/or triggering conditions like dandruff. There is always natural fungi present on the scalp, but a wet pillowcase can become a perfect environment for bacteria to breed…

However, if sleeping with a wet mane is really your thing, there are ways to safely and productively sleep with wet hair!

Air dry your mane as much as possible before sleep

If you wash your tresses at night and are anti-blow drying, then try and shower as early as possible in the evening before hitting the hay. This will help your hair dry naturally a bit more before coming into contact with your pillow.

Use a silk/satin pillowcase

This is a great tip for wet or dry hair, but a silk/satin pillowcase not only feels much more luxurious, but is less porous than traditional cotton.

This milder style surface can help prevent breakage and damage to the hair shaft and strand, and when wet hair is the most vulnerable state your locks can be in, it’s probably worth investing!

Cel Pro Tip: Have long hair or like sleeping with your hair tied back? Regular elastic hair ties can lead to hair breakage, especially for hair that’s fine, dry and/or already damaged! Try a silk scrunchy, which can combat excess friction for optimum breakage prevention, and smoother hair during both day and night!

Use a deep, high-quality conditioner and hair mask

Always use a deep, paraben and sulphate-free conditioner on your hair that intensely moisturises and specifically strengthens strands to make sure your tresses are in optimal condition for sleeping when wet. This will also aid detangling after washing too. Cel’s Microstem Conditioner is perfect for this as it’s scientifically optimised to strengthen and soften simultaneously.

If you sleep with wet hair regularly, use a deep, nourishing hair mask 2/3 times a week.

Cel Pro Tip: Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet! Instead use your fingers or a wide toothed comb for a more gentle untangling… A comb with widely spaced teeth is more effective at gently detangling your hair and thus prevents it from breaking. Use a wide toothed comb right after you wash your hair, to detangle strands and simultaneously stimulate your hair follicles.

How to sleep with curly hair

Curly hair arguably demands a little more TLC and attention than straight strands. But, there are many easy and non-time-consuming ways to support, save, and preserve your beautiful curls whilst you slumber!

Sleep in a pineapple

Not literally you, but your hair! This method stops you from sleeping on top of your hair and crushing your curls, thus reducing friction which prevents frizz and breakage!

Take a silk scrunchy (silk scrunchies are way kinder to your hair than elastic!) and flip your head upside down. Gather all of your hair as close to the top of your head as you possibly can, aiming for between the crown and the forehead. Try and go as far as you can to this area without forcing the hair. Secure your silk scrunchy as loosely as possible.

Have long curls? A pineapple style may not be as sufficient so try a high, loose bun instead.

Invest in a hair wrap/cap for sleeping

As well as upgrading to a silk/satin pillowcase, using a silk/satin bonnet or head scarf can do wonders for curly hair! Wearing an accessory like this to dreamland can keep your curls from rubbing against bedding, as well as preserve your curl’s shape by keeping your locks secure. Hair wraps and caps for sleeping are the future, we think here at Cel!

Sleep in braids or twists

If a hair wrap or cap isn’t your thing though, you can also benefit from a braid or twist which can also help keep your curls secure. The less your curly hair moves at night, the better! Secure a loose braid with a silk scrunchy before settling down for slumber time.

Want to learn more about caring for curly hair? Read our blog on the CGM Hair/Curly Girl Method here.

How to sleep with long hair

Sleeping on long hair can sometimes leave you waking up in a nightmare of knots, tangles and breakage. But, there are ways to help your hair wake up a touch more dreamily…

Alongside the tips above for wet and curly hair of adopting a silk/satin head wrap to help secure the hair from too much friction, sleeping in a bun secured with a silk scrunchy and/or applying a deep conditioning treatment a couple of times a week, you can also consider trying the following advice too…

Brush your hair before bed

Brushing your hair through before you go to sleep not only detangles it from the day’s knots, but also helps distribute the natural oils on your head down the length of the hair, nourishing it with natural sebum!

And, did you know that you should actually be brushing from the bottom, working your way up to the top? Start on the ends to remove the knots, then brush from the middle to the end, and finally from the top to the bottom.

When you brush from the top straight away, you’re likely to pull the hairs from the follicles, and break the hair strands rather than untangle them. This also creates those dreaded split ends, which in turn causes hair to tangle more easily.

Sleeping on pre-detangled hair helps prevent further knots and ties in the hair strands whilst you sleep.

Oh, and FYI, hair brushing should also be silent. If you hear any scraping or ripping, it means you’re brushing too hard. A gentle, all over, short brush lasting no longer than a minute is all you need! Most hairdressers also recommend a wide-tooth comb or a boar bristle brush.

Remember, wet hair is more vulnerable to breakages, so it’s best to comb through it before you wash it, or after your hair wash time before bed, comb through with just your fingers or brush after it’s dried.

Apply a hair serum

To prevent your long hair from frizzing up whilst you sleep, applying a serum just to the end lengths of your hair before you rest for the night can really help you wake up to luscious locks the next day!

Don’t overdo it though, and just focus on the ends of the hair, or your locks might end up looking greasy instead of shiny!

Try Cel’s Re:Gen Repair Serum! It’s a specialised serum that’s designed to promote the long-term strength of your hair, and maintain healthy-looking locks. The formula not only helps to repair hair that has been harmed, but also provides protection from colour, friction or heat damage, and daily environmental stressors like your pillow!

So, there you have it: how to support your hair whilst you sleep! Sweet dreams and sweet tresses really can be yours!