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Not everyone wants to have bed head hair when she wakes up in the morning. It doesn't matter if you sleep a like an angel or a toss like a fish out of water, if you're guilty of hopping into bed without practicing a few nightly regimens your hair will show it. There are several things to consider in caring for your hair overnight; from styling tips to hair health, know how to prepare for bed before you count your sheep.
General Nighttime Tips
There are several key tips to consider no matter what type or style hair you have. Wash your hair before bed if you've packed on a lot of hair product during day. Your hair has a way of responding to eight hours of nightly activity, whether it's from tossing and turning or a change in temperature. Brush your hair before going to bed to remove any knots or tangles. Also, matting can occur at night as you lay in the same spot, flipping your head around. Arrange your hair in a loose ponytail or pin it down with hair clips to avoid a matted mess the next morning.
African-American Natural Hair
For natural, African-American hair, no matter if the texture is course and thick or in curly ringlets, there are several things to consider in caring for your hair overnight. Your bedding and even the temperature in your home can dry out your hair, robbing it of much needed moisture. Brush or comb your hair thoroughly and pin it down by sectioning the hair into two or four larger parts. An easy way to keep hair laying flat overnight is to part it two and make pigtails. Tie a silk scarf around your hair to tame it and retain moisture while you sleep.
Hair Weaves
If you're wearing a hair weave, you will still want to care for it overnight to extend the life of your weave. If you've just washed your hair or even got it slightly wet from showering, allow your hair to dry fully before going to bed. Sleeping with damp or wet hair can cause mildew to form, especially in warmer weather. Because your weave contains your hair underneath or intermingled in your own hair, some sections may still be wet. Blow-dry for a few minutes to assure your hair is fully dry. Tie hair back into a low ponytail and sleep in a satin hair bonnet to keep hair from tangling overnight.
Special Occasion Hair
Perhaps you've just gotten your hair done for a special occasion the next day. If your stylist has perfectly coiffed your mane and your only challenge is making it through the night, help yourself sleep well and wake up to a near-perfect style. Sleep on satin pillowcases instead of cotton or jersey, which can cause friction in your hair or leave bits of the fabric in your locks. Sleep with your head propped up slightly on a few pillows, taking special care not to position your neck in a place that causes strain.
