Is It Bad to Sleep on Wet Hair? Here's How to Do It Safely

We’ve all been there, we’ve all done it. Whether you’ve just finished an evening workout or got back from a long travel day with that one extra layer of dry shampoo still in your hair. Hair-wash day can turn into hair-wash night and we’ve never thought twice about it. But you might be doing more harm than good with this routine. 

Sleeping with wet hair has been found to lead to hair damage, breakage, increased levels of dandruff, and potentially fungal growth. To understand why it’s not ideal to sleep with wet hair  and what can happen if you do, we’ve talked to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick and hair stylists Abby Haliti, Creighton Bowman, and Jenn Velez.

Why It's Bad to Sleep on Wet Hair

Yes, it is not ideal to sleep on wet hair as it poses some potential drawbacks that can affect your hair strength and scalp health. “It is not recommended to sleep with wet hair as this can increase the chance for hair breakage,” says Garshick. “Additionally, sleeping on wet hair can create a damp environment, which may lead to scalp issues like dandruff or fungal growth.” adds Haliti. 

“Wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage, so tossing and turning during sleep can cause damage to the hair strands,” Haliti explains. So, while it’s not always bad to sleep with wet hair there are several long-term risks that could lead to decreased hair health. Sleeping with wet hair could be especially damaging for people with curly hair and very fine straight hair. “Curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness and frizz, and sleeping on wet hair can exacerbate these issues. The friction and movement against the pillow can disrupt the curl pattern and lead to more frizz and tangles,” says Haliti. While straight thin hair has a similar issue with dryness and frizz the increased friction can lead to tangles, breakage, and moisture loss. But we know that life isn’t perfect, so if you must go to sleep with wet hair there are some ways to help avoid potential damage.

Side Effects of Sleeping on Wet Hair

It might be time to change up the hair-washing routine to see how your hair can look and feel. If you’ve been experiencing some of the side effects listed below it could be a direct result of sleeping with wet hair.

• Hair Breakage: “Wet hair is more fragile and prone to damage, and the friction between your hair and the pillow while you sleep can result in breakage, split ends, and frizz,” says Haliti. This is especially true for our curly haired girls who want to maintain their curl pattern. 
• Unruly Hair: “Sleeping on wet hair can cause your hair to become tangled, making it difficult to manage and style in the morning,” explains Haliti. No one wants to make their morning routine more complicated, but maybe the answer to a simpler morning is washing your hair instead of doing it the night before. That way you’ll never have to worry about the weird kinks that just won’t go away the next day.
• Diminished Scalp Health: “Since wet hair creates a damp environment for the pillow and the scalp, it can also contribute to the potential increased growth of fungus and bacteria, which may trigger or exacerbate conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or folliculitis,” describes Garshick. So if you’ve been having issues with increased itchiness and dandruff, an easy fix is to avoid falling asleep with wet hair. 

Tips for Sleeping on Wet Hair

1. Don't Go to Sleep on Soaking Wet Hair: If you've got the time, give your hair some room to breathe and partially dry it (or air dry it) before you hit the sack, says Velez. "Air drying helps your hair lose some of that excess moisture, so it's less likely to throw a fit overnight," she says.
2. Get Rid of Excess Moisture With a Microfiber Hair Towel: As a rule of thumb it is a good idea to get out as much water as possible if you simply must sleep with wet hair. To remove excess moisture it is best to use a microfiber towel to minimize breakage and frizz that may be caused by a regular towel. Another option is to let your hair air dry before going to bed or take a blow dryer and dry your hair until it is slightly damp. 
3. Sleep in a Loose Braid or Twisted Bun: This is most helpful to keep the strands of your hair together to prevent tangling and breakage from the friction between your hair and the pillow. Another way to try to prevent creases in your hair while you sleep? Use a scrunchie, which won’t leave marks or dents, says Bowman. Simply fasten your hair at the top of your head in a secure bun. Don’t have a scrunchie? “Just cut the top off a sock, and use it as a makeshift hair tie,” Bowman says. We love ShhSilk Oversized Silk Scrunchie ($25) because it's super gentle on hair, but microfiber towel scrunchies (like this one by Kitsch) work like mini hair towels to dry hair fast.
4. Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase: Silk and satin pillowcases create a smoother surface than cotton which leads to decreased frizz. “Using a silk pillowcase may be gentler on the hairs as it does help to reduce the potential for breakage when sleeping with a wet head as it decreases the friction on the hair shaft,” says Garshick. 
5. Consider a Bonnet: Bonnets are popular for protective use among the natural hair community, but they also work for wet hair, too. "I'm totally guilty of not blow-drying my hair before bedtime, but let me tell you, this little hero...it's like a magic shield for your locks, keeping them in check and behaving," says Velez.
6. Applying a Leave-in Conditioner or Hair Oil: “Before sleeping on wet hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to help nourish and protect your strands. This can provide some added moisture and reduce the risk of dryness and damage,” explained Haliti. This can also help to avoid tangles and any issues with unruly morning hair.

The Takeaway

It is best to let your hair dry completely before going to sleep since sleeping with wet hair is not healthy for your hair strand or scalp. Continuously sleeping with wet hair can lead to increased breakage, frizz, split ends, dryness, dandruff, and various scalp health issues. To mitigate potential damage you can sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, sleep in a loose braid or bun, or apply leave-in conditioner or hair oil before bed.