Is It Bad to Go to Sleep With Wet Hair?
Everyone has gone to bed with freshly washed hair at least once in their life, either out of laziness or because they were hot. Even if you feel refreshed and comfortable with wet hair, you should know that sleeping with wet hair can be harmful. Whether it is summer or winter, sleeping with wet hair is not only harmful to your hair, but also to your health. Over the years, there has been much debate about the effects of sleeping with wet hair, but most experts agree that it is a bad habit.
So in this new OneHOWTO article, we will explain why it's not a good idea to go to sleep with wet hair and the short and long-term consequences it can have.
You can catch a cold from it
Although several studies have proven that cold does not necessarily make you sick, sleeping with wet hair is definitely not beneficial to your health. Exposing yourself to low humidity for a long period of time, especially if you sleep in an air-conditioned room or during the winter season, can weaken your immune system. This can increase the likelihood of catching a virus or waking up with a sore throat. You should also keep in mind that our bodies are more vulnerable when we sleep. So, if you go to bed with wet hair, you increase the chances of getting sick.
It contributes to hair loss
In the short term, sleeping with wet hair does not cause hair loss. However, if you continue this habit in the long term, your scalp will weaken, causing your hair to grow weaker and more likely to break. In addition, when you roll over and move around, the friction between your wet hair and the pillowcase can cause your hair to break and snap more easily because the wet strands become softer and weaker.
Promotes dandruff appearance
Wet hair, whether in summer or winter, is bad for the skin because the accumulated moisture on the scalp can destabilize the PH and disrupt the composition of the skin. As a result, the fungus Malessezia, which feeds on fatty acids and renews the cells of the scalp, can no longer work as it should, and dandruff forms. Dandruff is not caused by sleeping with wet hair, but by old cells of the scalp that accumulate and fall off. Even though this fungus is often related to hygiene problems or skin type, sleeping with wet hair greatly increases the changes.
Hair is damaged by it
The main problem with sleeping with wet hair is that the persistent moisture makes your hair prone to damage, tangles and split ends. Since damp hair is usually more sensitive, the friction against your pillow can cause split ends or hair breakage. If you only do this occasionally, you may not notice a difference. However, if you do it frequently or if you already have severely damaged hair, sleeping with wet hair can eventually weaken your hair beyond repair.
It can cause fongus to appear
The risk of fungal infections increases if you sleep with wet hair. Prolonged moisture promotes fungal growth, and microorganisms thrive best in a moist environment. Fungi can not only irritate your skin, but also disrupt the flora of your scalp.
It can lead to headaches
In addition to external influences, sleeping with wet hair seems to be a predisposing factor for sinus headaches and pain in the back of the eyes. The moisture in our hair causes a small evaporation process to take place in the scalp, affecting our sense of warmth and causing inflammation. This is due to selective brain cooling (SBC), a mechanism that protects the brain from overheating.
It produces an itching sensation
In addition to the presence of fungus, the mere fact of having too much moisture on your head for several hours can cause your skin to wrinkle and swell. If you have sensitive and atopic skin, this sensation can cause severe itching. It can be frustrating to spend so much time drying your hair, but if you do it regularly, you will notice how your hair regains its vitality and strength, you will sleep better and you will avoid discomfort and problems.
If you suffer from sensitive skin and are prone to itching, don't miss our article on how to stop the itching.
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