How to Sleep With Wet Hair

Co-authored by Jenny Tran and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: October 26, 2024 References

If you've ever found yourself with wet hair at night and no energy or time to dry it, you're not alone! Sleeping on your hair might not be ideal, but with a few easy steps, you can protect your hair from breakage and frizz. Not only can you make sleeping with wet hair a do-able solution, you can take it a step further and wake up with fabulous hair!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Avoiding Hair Creases and Frizz

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1
Dry some of your hair before going to bed. If you have some time, give your hair time to air dry, or use a hair dryer to dry the underside of your hair. Partially drying your hair makes it easier for your hair to dry while you sleep, creating a smoother finish.
- To dry the underside of your hair, turn your head upside down and blast the underside, which is slower to dry. ^{[1]
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Use a small amount of leave-in cream or spray to lightly coat your hair and prevent breakage and frizz. The conditioner will prevent your wet hair from getting damaged, and help you wake up to soft, smooth hair. ^{[2]
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3
Tie your hair into a bun with a scrunchie. Create a bun high on your head so that you can sleep without pain or distraction. Gently wrap your hair into a loose bun and tie a scrunch, instead of a hair tie, around the bun to hold it in place. ^{[3]
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- Unlike hair ties, scrunchies generally don't leave a crease or dent.
- Your hair may hold some of the curl of the bun when you take your hair down, especially if you have wavy or curly hair. This can provide volume and a slightly wavy texture!
4
Wrap your hair in a microfiber towel. ^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 August 2020.} After gently toweling off your hair, flip your head upside down. Place your microfiber towel over your hair and gently wrap the towel around your head. Secure the towel with a clip, tie, or velcro. You can sleep with the microfiber towel on your head, and fluff your hair in the morning for an effortless, healthy look!
- Put your favorite styling cream on before wrapping your hair, especially if you have textured hair. ^{[5]
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- You can buy special towels made for wrapping your hair. These often have velcro or buttons to secure the towel.
5
Wrap your hair in a silk scarf or bandana. ^{[6]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 August 2020.} Apply your favorite hair product and comb out your hair. Then, secure your silk scarf or bandana around your hair by knotting the ends together. You may want to tie longer hair up into a ponytail or bun before wrapping. ^{[7]
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- Silk wraps are great for eliminating frizz!
6
Use a silk pillowcase to avoid damage. Silk pillowcases create less friction and can therefore help prevent damage to wet hair. ^{[8]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 August 2020.} To use, simply drape your hair up over your head so that it hangs off the edge of your silk pillowcase. This will allow your hair to air dry while you sleep without creating creases in your hair. ^{[9]
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- This method works better if you have straight hair.
- If you have curly or wavy hair, you may be able to apply a curl cream and wake up with well-formed curls!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Beach Waves, Crimps, or Curls

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Choose leave-in conditioner, detangling spray, shine serum, or styling cream, depending on your preference. You can also use beach spray to enhance your natural texture! ^{[10]
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Combing is essential to prevent product buildup, which can make your hair dull or crunchy in the morning! ^{[11]
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3
Braid your hair . Braids are a great way to create a style while you sleep. Depending on what type of braid you choose, you could wake up with beachy waves, crimped hair, or curls. ^{[12]
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- For beachy waves, create one loose braid.
- For crimped hair, create several small braids all over your hair, similar to cornrows.
- For curls, try one or two tight French braids that start high on your scalp. ^{[13]
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4
Wrap the braid(s) into a loose bun high on your scalp. Make sure your bun is comfortable enough to allow you to sleep well, and secure it with a scrunchie. The bun will help prevent frizzy hair, which can happen if you toss and turn while sleeping.
- Alternatively, you could cover your braids with a silk scarf. ^{[14]
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5
Use foam curlers to set your hair instead of braids. Wrap small sections of your damp hair using the foam curlers. For best results, cover your head with a silk scarf once all of your hair is secured in curlers. In the morning, take out your curlers and gently finger-comb your hair. ^{[15]
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- Limit how much you touch your hair.
- To protect your curls, spray them with a holding product.
- Don’t use a brush or comb on your hair because this will mess up your curls and make your hair frizzy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Dangers

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1
Protect your pillow with a waterproof pillowcase. When you sleep with wet hair, the moisture can penetrate your pillow and cause mold and bacteria growth inside the pillow, which could make you sick. Covering your pillow with a waterproof pillowcase will prevent your wet hair from getting your pillow wet. ^{[16]
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- This is especially important if you sleep with wet hair regularly.
- You can also protect your pillow by opting to wrap your hair in a microfiber towel or scarf.
Sleeping on wet hair can cause your hair shaft to dry bent at the wrong angle, leaving you with dull, frizzy hair. You can avoid this by using a smoothing serum or leave-in, such as a beach spray.
Regularly sleeping with wet hair can cause mold to grow on your scalp, create dandruff, or even damage to your hair. Try to give yourself a buffer in your nighttime routine, so your hair has some time to dry before bed.

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Is it bad to go to bed with your hair wet?

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist
Jenny Tran is a Hair Stylist and the Founder of JT Hair Lab by Jenny Tran based in the Dallas, Texas metro area. With over seven years of professional hair styling experience, Jenny specializes in hair coloring, haircutting, and hair extensions. JT Hair Lab is an authorized carrier of R+Co and of Milbon and is committed to using products with quality ingredients.

Jenny Tran

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Your hair is more fragile when it's wet, so sleeping with wet hair can cause friction or rubbing that damages it. If you have to go to bed with wet hair, purchase a satin pillowcase and fan your hair out on your pillow so you're not lying on it.

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Do satin cases also work well?

Community Answer

They do. Satin and silk have the same textures, so they should work the same.

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Is it true that if I sleep with wet hair I could get a cold?

Community Answer

That is a myth. You will not get sick from sleeping with wet hair.

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Tips

To help your hair dry, fan it out on your pillowcase before you go to sleep. ^{[17]
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Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 August 2020.}

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Using a silk pillowcase is a great choice regardless of the method you choose, and it will also help prevent skin wrinkles.

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Warnings

Sleeping on wet hair can cause damage to your hair, so protect it with leave-in cream. To prevent breakage, wrap up or cover your hair.

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Professional Hair Stylist

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How to Sleep With Wet Hair

Steps

Avoiding Hair Creases and Frizz

Creating Beach Waves, Crimps, or Curls

Avoiding Dangers

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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