National Bed Month: Hair Expert Reveals 5 Things to Avoid at Bedtime for Healthy Locks

The average human requires between seven and nine hours of sleep a night to restore energy and for the body to produce more hormones and repair and regenerate cells, including the protein needed for hair growth – keratin.

Healthy hair relies on a healthy diet and sleep routine, amongst other things. But what if it’s how you’re treating your hair while you sleep that’s the issue?

For National Bed Month, here are some things that are best to avoid if you want to keep your hair looking shiny and healthy morning, noon and night.

Heavy-duty eye masks

While most popular masks are silk, some are designed for function rather than comfort.

For example, those designed for sleep apnoea sufferers have thick elastic straps positioned across the back of the head, as do many Bluetooth sleep masks that allow users to listen to music while they sleep.

The elastic straps can be extremely damaging to the hair as they fit tight against the head, which, over time, will rub and create friction that results in hair breakage and even traction alopecia.

To avoid this, invest in and place a silk hair cover over your hair before putting the mask on to release the tension and protect your locks from breaking whilst you sleep.

Dirty bedding

According to a study, eight million bacteria can grow on your pillowcases and sheets in just a week and over 22 million after four weeks.

Each time you lie down, your hair will come into contact with your bedding, which means each night you sleep on sheets without washing them, it’s exposed to old sweat, loose hair or even dandruff from previous nights – not to mention any other contaminants.

The consequences of excess bacteria can result in scalp irritation or dandruff, so it’s best to wash your sheets, or at least pillowcases, at least once a week.

Rough pillowcases

It’s not just dirty sheets that can wreak havoc on your hair, but the material of your pillowcases.

The average pillowcase is made from cotton fibres, which might be comfy but aren’t particularly good for your hair over a prolonged period. That’s because cotton fibres are woven tightly together, meaning the hair can’t move freely while you’re sleeping, creating friction which tangles and even breaks the hair.

Get yourself a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and help your hair retain moisture at night.

Wet hair

Going to bed feeling fresh is a great feeling, but leaving your hair wet isn’t beneficial for hair health.

Studies have found that when your hair is wet, the cuticle (the outer layer that protects it) is at its weakest, meaning it’s more vulnerable to breakage from tossing and turning at night. Those with chemically-treated hair are even more at risk as the hair cuticle’s naturally weaker.

For best results, allow your hair to dry naturally or apply heat-protector spray and blast with a hairdryer before settling down for the night.

Using elastic ties

There are many different hacks to alter your hair’s look and texture overnight, such as tying it in plaits for curls or putting it in a sock for sleek and shiny locks.

While many of these are harmless, tying your hair up in tight hairstyles with elastic ties can cause tension on your scalp and result in hair breakage or loss.

Instead, switch to silk ties or scrunchies made from soft materials that don’t pull on your hair – this will not only avoid any breakage but help you swerve any dents in your locks that are a pain when styling it in the morning.