How many times have you washed your hair before bed and found yourself torn between using a hair dryer or going straight to bed to relax? For me, this happens frequently, and every time I chose to go to bed immediately. But recently, I felt the need to change this habit after hearing repeatedly about the harms of sleeping with wet hair. At first, I thought it was exaggerated or not as dangerous as it is said, through the Dalili Medical website, the harms of sleeping with wet hair are discussed, which prompted me to search and delve into this topic. Here is what I found...

**Does sleeping with wet hair cause hair loss?**

Sleeping with wet hair is not considered a direct cause of hair loss. However, some problems resulting from humidity, such as fungal infections, may lead to increased hair loss. Therefore, it is necessary to visit a specialized clinic to obtain a medical diagnosis in the event of noticeable hair loss.

**Is leaving hair unwashed beneficial?**

There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that not washing the hair or scalp is beneficial. However, some people notice an improvement in the condition of their hair when they wash it less often, and this is due to the hair not being exposed to the heat of the dryers that cause it to break and dry out, and it has nothing to do with washing the scalp or hair.

**Is it okay to leave my hair wet?**

Although leaving your hair wet is not "bad" for your health in the sense of causing disease or permanent damage, hair becomes more fragile when it is wet, which can lead to mechanical damage over time, especially if you move a lot while sleeping.

**The harms of sleeping with wet hair**

**Hair breakage**Sleeping with wet hair before drying it can lead to many problems, the most important of which is hair breakage. When hair is wet, it is at its weakest, which makes friction between it and the pillow while sleeping lead to its weakness and breakage.

**Infection**A humid environment is an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and fungi, and this also applies to wet hair. So, sleeping with wet hair can promote the growth of bacteria and fungi on the scalp, which can lead to painful infections.

Among these infections, we can find:

**Aspergillosis**This infection is particularly dangerous for people with respiratory problems or a weakened immune system. It is caused by mold that is usually found on pillows, which can be exacerbated by the moisture from wet hair.

**Malassezia folliculitis**This condition is similar to itching and acne, as it is caused by a fungal infection in the hair follicles, and is exacerbated by sweating. It can also lead to dandruff or scalp dermatitis.

**Scalp ringworm**Also known as tinea capitis, it is a highly contagious fungal infection that causes an itchy, red rash in the form of rings, and may lead to bald spots.

**Dandruff**Dandruff is a type of infection, and the risk of developing it increases when sleeping with wet hair. Hair can also become dull and damaged because the pillow fabric absorbs the natural moisture and oils in the hair.

**Headache** Since the body temperature rises during sleep, the body becomes warm, so wet hair that retains moisture throughout the night can cause headaches.

**Allergies and fungal growth**: It is known to everyone that pillows are the ideal place for dust mites and bacteria to multiply as they absorb sweat, dead skin cells and oils from the body. Therefore, sleeping with wet hair leads to the transfer of moisture to the pillow and then with the room temperature it becomes a fertile ground for fungi harmful to the scalp and unwanted infections occur. These parasites can also cause severe allergies that affect the skin and respiratory system.

**Skin and scalp infections** When your hair is wet at bedtime, the moisture in your hair will transfer to the pillow and the towel that covers your hair. All this accumulated moisture becomes a fertile ground for bacteria to multiply. Therefore, hair follicle infections and other skin infections on the head or face may occur, such as ringworm (caused by microscopic fungi that attack the hairy skin), psoriasis (an inflammatory disease characterized by red, scaly patches) or folliculitis (the appearance of red patches consisting of small blisters that develop to form a crust on the back of the top of the head).

**Throat, nose and ear pain* When the hair is wet during sleep, it becomes cooler, which can lead to many infections in the throat, ears, nose and sinuses. These infections may be accompanied by symptoms such as: headache, nasal congestion, coughing and sneezing, high temperature, sore throat, and body aches. In some cases, symptoms may develop to include ear congestion and sinusitis.

**Muscle pain** The change in temperature between the head and the body can lead to muscle pain or severe cramps. Facial paralysis may also occur.

**Dandruff**When the scalp remains wet for long periods, it affects the function of the sebaceous glands. As a result, these glands may start producing more oils or reduce their production. In addition, wetness can affect the natural pH balance of the scalp, leading to dandruff or increased hair oiliness

What is the best way to sleep with wet hair?

1- Allow wet hair to dry slightly until it is only damp.

2- When sleeping, leave the hair hanging down so that it can move freely while you turn over.

3- Make sure to use hair care products to protect it from frizz, flyaways and breakage.

Here are some tips to prepare your wet hair before bed according to its type:

**For coarse hair:**

1- Style your hair in a ponytail, as this helps lengthen the hair and maintain the shape of the braid.

2- Use intensive moisturizing products, such asOlive oil or products designed for coarse hair.

3- Cover your hair with a large silk cap or scarf to protect it from frizz and hold it until morning.

**For wavy hair:*

1- Use styling products, and apply them from the roots to the ends to reduce the softness of the waves, which helps avoid turning them into flat hair while you sleep.

2- Use moisturizing products from the middle of the strands to the ends, as the scalp secretes natural oils, so there is no need to moisturize the roots.

3- If you are worried about your hair strands becoming rough or flat, you can sleep on a silk pillowcase or cover your head with a satin scarf to protect your hair while you sleep.

4- You can use some products that help organize your morning routine, as hairspray that stays on overnight can facilitate the process of detangling and smoothing the hair.

5- Once you wake up, you can use a hair dryer to define your hair shape, or add a small amount of sea salt spray to enhance the shape of the waves.

6- You can use a refreshing spray or dry shampoo on the roots to lift the hair a little.

As for straight hair:

Make sure to gently distribute the products between the straightened hair strands after waking up using a brush with rough bristles, which helps distribute the natural oils evenly, making the hair shinier, less frizzy and easier to manage, which ultimately benefits the health of the hair.

If you want to wake up with slightly wavy hair, you can use a styling mousse suitable for waves from the roots to the ends. After that, divide your hair into two halves and make braids using two or three braids. Make sure to use an elastic band without a metal clip to avoid any wrinkles at the ends, which is something you should pay close attention to

**How ​​to reduce the negative effects of sleeping with wet hair**

Sometimes, you may have to sleep with wet hair, and there is no need to worry if this happens, but it is important to avoid making this a recurring habit. To reduce the side effects resulting from this, here are some tips that you can follow when you find yourself forced to not dry your hair before bed:

1. Try to avoid tossing and turning a lot while sleeping.

2. Use products that help the hair slide to reduce friction with the pillow, such as nourishing serum.

3. Dry your hair well with a towel.

4. Style your hair in a way that allows oxygen to flow to the scalp and prevents tangling, such as a large braid or wrapping it around the head and securing it with pins.

5. Use nourishing hair products, such as creams, masks and oils.

6. Make sure to provide the necessary care for your hair every day.

7. Wrap your hair with a soft, clean scarf to keep it

Tips for proper hair care:

To maintain healthy hair, it is important to follow a good care routine, according to the needs of each hair type, it is recommended to adapt this routine, but in general it is sufficient to consider the following:

1. Use specific hair products**Using effective products that suit your hair type or special needs is key to having good quality hair. It is also important to wash your hair when needed and apply masks or serums from the middle of the hair to the ends to moisturize and nourish the hair fibers.

2. Pay attention to nutrition**Following a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to maintain healthy hair, as a lack of nutrition can lead to hair loss in some cases.

3. Dry your hair with a towel**It is best to remove excess moisture with a towel and let your hair air dry, however, before sleeping with wet hair, it is always preferable to use heat sources after applying a heat protectant.