Is going to bed with wet hair bad?

That wonderful feeling of nice cool freshness following a shower before going to bed, but what happens when complacence beats the battle of drying your hair. What could appear to be harmless to save a bit of time, your hair could end up paying the price for. You have most likely wondered if going to bed with wet hair is bad for you, or if it is just an old wife’s tale. Science and dermatology have a clear answer: it is not a capital sin, but your hair (and your pillow) would rather you didn't.

Consequences of sleeping with wet hair

Although sleeping with wet hair is not overly detrimental for our hair, we do need to bear certain things in mind:

• Going to bed with wet hair weakens our hair fibres and it can therefore lead to more brittle, weaker hair.
• It can encourage the appearance of fungi and bacteria in our scalp due to excessive moisture.
• Your hair could even look more greasy, since the moisture that is squashed against your hair cuticles will make your hair heavier, lank and will lack volume.

Myths about sleeping with wet hair

There are a lot of urban myths that need to be clarified to avoid any unnecessary concern. For example:

1. “You’ll go bald”. It is important to clarify that sleeping with wet hair does not directly cause baldness. Hair loss is usually due to genetics, hormones or health problems, and not occasional dampness. It is true however that your hair breaks easier, making it look thinner.
2. “You’ll catch a cold”. You will not catch a cold simply by having a wet scalp. Nevertheless, a chill in your neck can weaken your local defences and cause annoying morning cold-like symptoms.
3. “It only affects women”. This is a common misconception. Wet hair in men can have the exact same consequences. Since men in general have shorter hair, they believe it will dry on its own, but friction against a damp pillow leads to the same detrimental microclimate. Moreover, the damp that builds up between the head and the pillow makes an ideal breeding ground for Malassezia fungi, which are responsible for flaking skin and dandruff, affecting men and women alike.

How to avoid going to bed with wet hair and how to protect your hair

So now that we know why going to bed with wet hair is bad for you, there are some strategies to avoid it. If you can’t avoid taking a nighttime shower, at least try to wash your hair a couple of hours before going to bed so that it dries naturally. If you need to use the hairdryer, use it on lukewarm or cold, as this will dry your hair without dehydrating it or damaging your hair fibres.

Tips to care for your hair before going to bed

Preventing damage to your hair during the night is a lot easier than you might think. Here is a quick guide:

• Dry it beforehand. Get rid of at least 80% of the damp with a towel by dabbing rather than rubbing before using any other implements.
• Change your pillow case (at least once a week). Silk and satin reduce friction and absorb less moisture than cotton, avoiding frizz and brittleness.
• Untangle your hair carefully. Damp hair is very elastic and vulnerable. Always start at the ends and use a wide-toothed comb.
• Protective oils. Apply a small amount of coconut oil or serum to the ends to create a water-repellent barrier to protect hair fibres if your hair is still damp.
• Do not overdo it on plaits. Although tying you hair up avoids it tangling, doing so when it is still wet will retain moisture in the middle, making mould or unpleasant smells more likely to appear.

In short, although occasionally going to bed with wet hair will not spoil your hair, making it a daily habit can compromise its shine and strength. A few minutes extra spent on drying your hair means that your hair will stay healthier for much longer, honestly!