No more tossing and turning over tangles
You wake up, stumble to the mirror, and—boom—your hair looks like it barely survived the night. Frizzy, tangled, suspiciously drier than when you went to bed? Yeah, your sleep routine might be sabotaging your strands.
And this isn’t just about waking up with a bad hair day. Tossing and turning creates friction, which leads to breakage and split ends. Cotton pillowcases suck the moisture right out of your hair, leaving it dull and brittle. Going to bed with wet hair? That’s basically asking for knots and matting.
The good news is you don’t have to wrap your head in bubble wrap to protect it overnight. The best way to sleep on hair is all about a few simple tweaks; ones that keep your strands smooth, strong, and ready to slay by morning.
TL;DR: What’s the best way to sleep on hair?
Your hair puts up with a lot while you sleep: friction from your pillow, moisture loss, and the occasional full-body toss-and-turn session. The best way to sleep on hair is by reducing the stress (on your strands, that is) and locking in hydration before you even hit the pillow.
We’ve got a full-blown list of tips coming right up, but here are some quick tips to get you started. Opt for a silk or satin pillowcase—it cuts friction and keeps hair from drying out. If you’re tying it up, go for a loose braid, a silk scarf, or a scrunchie-secured bun (tight ponytails = breakage). And if you want next-level protection, a little hair oil on your ends before bed works wonders for softness and shine.
Skipping these steps? Expect frizz, split ends, and hair that looks way more high-maintenance than it actually is. Incorporating a few smart sleeping habits could mean healthier, shinier hair in the morning.
How to sleep on wet hair
The short answer? Don’t. Just don’t.
Wet hair is weaker, more fragile, and way more prone to breakage, so sleeping on it is an invitation for knots, frizz, and a style that won’t cooperate in the morning. But if you must (because, life), here’s how to make it less of a disaster:
– Squeeze, don’t rub. Blot excess water with a microfiber towel—friction is your enemy.
– Use a leave-in conditioner. A lightweight formula helps reduce frizz and locks in moisture.
– Braid it. A loose braid is your best bet for keeping hair contained without causing tension.
– Silk scarf or pillowcase. Cotton = moisture thief. Enough said.
Sleeping on wet hair isn’t ideal, but if you do it right, you can at least avoid waking up looking like a cautionary tale.
Bonus tips for protecting your hair during sleep
Your hair spends hours against your pillow every night—so it makes sense to set it up for success. A few simple tweaks to your nighttime routine can make the difference between waking up with silky, tangle-free hair or looking like you just survived a windstorm. The goal? Less friction, more moisture, and zero unnecessary stress on your strands. Here’s where to start:
Use a silk or satin pillowcase
If you’re still sleeping on cotton pillowcases, we need to talk. Cotton sucks the moisture out of your hair and creates friction, which leads to frizz, tangles, and split ends. Silk or satin pillowcases, on the other hand, let your hair glide over the surface—no roughness, no moisture loss, just smooth, shiny hair that doesn’t look like it went through a battle overnight. Even better, they help prevent face creases, so your skin wins too.
Be strategic with showering
Late-night “everything” showers feel amazing (especially when hopping into fresh bedding!), but they’re not great for your hair—especially if you’re sleeping on it wet. The fix? Wash earlier in the evening so your hair has time to dry naturally. If that’s not an option, blast your hair with cold water before finishing your shower—this seals the cuticle, locking in moisture and boosting shine.
Protect your locks with a scarf or wrap
Find yourself tossing and turning? Your hair will hate you for it. A silk or satin scarf (or even a bonnet) to keep it contained, though, reducing friction and preventing tangles while you wrestle for a better night’s sleep. This is a must for curly, coily, or textured hair, but any hair type benefits from the extra protection. The key is wrapping loosely—too tight, and you’ll create dents. Too loose, and it’ll slip off before sunrise.
Brush before bed
Your hair hates going to sleep in a tangled mess—and it’ll only get worse by morning. A quick brush before bed helps distribute your scalp’s natural oils and prevents knots from forming overnight. Use a gentle, extension-safe brush or a wide-tooth comb to avoid breakage, and if your hair tangles easily, a light spritz of leave-in conditioner helps keep everything smooth.
Seal your ends with a hair oil
Your ends are always the first to show signs of dryness and damage, and sleeping on them without protection? That’s just asking for split ends. Before bed, rub a few drops of lightweight hair oil (like argan, jojoba, or marula) between your palms and smooth it over your ends. This locks in moisture, reduces friction, and keeps your hair feeling soft instead of straw-like by morning. Avoid heavy oils that can make your hair greasy—a little goes a long way. Bonus: It also helps control frizz and makes next-day styling way easier.
Apply a deep conditioning mask
Think of this as beauty sleep for your hair. A deep conditioning mask overnight replenishes moisture, strengthens strands, and fights frizz while you snooze—zero effort required. If your hair is feeling extra dry or damaged, apply a lightweight, leave-in deep conditioner (not the thick, rinse-out kind) before bed. Wrap your hair in a silk scarf or use a satin pillowcase to avoid product transfer. By morning? Hydrated, glossy, frizz-free strands that feel salon-fresh.
Switch to scrunchies
That tight hair elastic you’ve been using? It’s snapping your strands while you sleep. Traditional hair ties create tension and breakage, especially if you sleep with your hair up. The fix? Scrunchies. Satin or silk scrunchies are gentle, won’t leave dents, and won’t rip out hair when you take them out. If you must tie your hair back at night, opt for a loose low ponytail, a pineapple (for curls), or a braid secured with a scrunchie. Your hair will thank you.
Sleep with braids
Want to wake up with perfectly styled, frizz-free hair? Braiding before bed is the ultimate low-maintenance hair hack. Loose braids help prevent tangling, minimize friction, and protect your ends from damage. Bonus? You’ll wake up with effortless waves or defined curls—no heat required. For smoother results, apply a tiny bit of leave-in conditioner before braiding and secure with a soft scrunchie instead of a tight elastic to avoid breakage.
FAQs about sleeping on hair
We’ve had a look at what you’ve been searching, and let’s just say—we have thoughts. Here’s our stylists’ hot take on the most asked questions about how to protect your hair while you sleep.
Should you wear your hair up or down before bed?
Neither—at least, not the way you think. Sleeping with your hair down leaves it vulnerable to friction, tangles, and breakage, but a too-tight ponytail or bun can put tension on your scalp and lead to damage over time. The sweet spot? A loose braid, a low ponytail with a silk scrunchie, or a soft, high "pineapple" for curls. It keeps hair contained without pulling too hard, so you’re not undoing all your haircare efforts while you sleep.
Can sleeping on one side cause hair loss?
Not exactly—but it can contribute to uneven hair thinning over time. If you always sleep on the same side, the repeated friction against your pillow can cause more breakage and even weaken hair at the roots. Over time, this can make that side look thinner than the other. Switch up your sleeping position when possible and invest in a silk pillowcase to minimize the effects. Your hairline (and your face) will thank you.
How do you refresh curly hair after sleeping on it?
If you’re waking up with flattened curls, frizz, or wonky pieces that refuse to cooperate, the fix is easier than you think. A light spritz of water or a curl-refreshing spray can help reactivate your curl pattern. Follow up with a tiny bit of leave-in conditioner or a curl cream scrunched in with your hands. And if you’re really in a pinch? A steamy shower (without letting your hair get drenched) can help bring curls back to life.
Does sleeping on wet hair make it greasy?
Yes, and here’s why: When your scalp is damp for too long, it disrupts its natural oil production. Your scalp overcompensates by producing more oil, which can leave your roots looking greasy while your ends stay dry. Plus, sleeping on wet hair creates the perfect environment for bacteria and scalp issues (yep, gross). If you absolutely must sleep with damp hair, make sure it’s mostly dry first and avoid heavy products that could trap oil at the roots.
Can I sleep with a towel on my wet hair?
Technically, yes. But should you? Not really. Traditional towels create friction and tension, leading to frizz and breakage, especially on damp, fragile strands. If you want to wrap your hair while it dries, use a microfiber hair towel or a cotton T-shirt, which are way gentler and absorb excess moisture without roughing up your hair’s cuticle. But sleeping with a towel all night? That’s just asking for a sore scalp and weird kinks in your hair.
Can you sleep with clip-on hair extensions?
Short answer? Nope. Clip-ins aren’t designed for overnight wear—sleeping with them in can cause serious breakage and scalp tension. The clips can pull at your natural hair as you toss and turn, leading to damage over time. If you want extra volume overnight, opt for a satin-wrapped braid or invest in semi-permanent extensions like tape-ins or hand-tied wefts that are safe for sleeping.
Remember, the best way to sleep on hair is…
Minimizing friction, locking in moisture, and keeping hair gently contained—it’s that simple. Be it a silk pillowcase, a loose braid, or a lightweight hair oil, setting your hair up right before bed makes mornings way easier (and your hair healthier in the long run). The real game-changer? Consistency. A few small changes to your nighttime routine can mean fewer tangles and less breakage for your precious locks over time.
Need more expert-backed tips for long, strong, damage-free hair? The Lauren Ashtyn Collection is always here to help!
