How To Sleep With Wet Curly Hair?

There are many concerns you may have as a curly-haired girl if you want to sleep with your wet hair. This might be because we've been warned severally of the damage it can cause to the hair. They're valid!

However, no one wants to skip a good bath after a long day. We even believe it is a ‘good medicine' that everyone enjoys.

So, what do we do? Fortunately, you won't have to fight with knots and tangles in the morning because we have tips on how you can sleep with wet curly hair.

If you're eager to know, then check out this post.

10 Tips on How to Sleep with Wet Curly Hair

1. Wash Your Hair a Few Hours Before You Go to Bed

No matter how much we try to convince ourselves, sleeping with wet hair isn't recommended. So, while we know how tired you are, we encourage you to wash your hair a few hours before you sleep. This makes your hair properly dried or damp when you want to go to bed.

2. Apply Styling Products on Damp Hair

Once you're out of the shower, apply a styling product to your curly hair. You don't have to wait for your hair to dry before you apply this. Using your product immediately after showering is always the best way to retain moisture. So, pick up your curl cream or hair oil and use it. Apart from helping you retain moisture, they also fight frizziness and define your curls.

Likewise, you can consider using a leave-in conditioner. It's a good product to start with.

The most important thing is to focus on using products that are good for your hair and help you achieve the results you desire.

3. Go for a Hair Bun

One of the simple yet effective ways to achieve gorgeous-looking curls by morning is to put your hair in a bun. While it is very easy, it helps you retain your curls and protect your hair.

This way, your hair doesn't get tangled up or messy whenever you roll on your bed. Here's how you can achieve it;

• Gather your hair into a loose ponytail. Make sure it sits on top of your head.
• Next, use a hair band to hold your hair in place, then fold your ends to form a bun.
• Try lying down to see if you squish your hair, as you want to be sure that never happens. If that's the case, loosen and make the bun higher.

4. Use a Satin Pillowcase

A satin pillowcase is a lifesaver. First, it reduces your chances of experiencing friction and tangles. And it can even help retain moisture in your hair.

These pillowcases are unlike your regular cotton ones that suck out the moisture from your hair and cause frizz. So, change your pillowcase to a satin one and have smooth hair by morning.

Tip: Wash the pillowcase after sleeping with wet hair. This is to prevent housing bacteria.

If you don't have a satin pillowcase, use a satin bonnet instead. See the next tip for more details.

5. Wear a Satin Bonnet to Sleep

Satin bonnets are also very effective in protecting your curly hair. Most women opt for this to prevent friction and tangles, and we don't see why you can't use it to protect your wet, curly hair.

This will also prevent dryness and hair breakage. And if you put your hair into a bun style or any other style, the bonnet can keep it in place. It is a good investment.

6. Plop Your Hair

If you don't know, you can sleep with a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt. This method allows you to define your curls while they get dry.

Here's how to go about it:

Get your material of choice, then place your hair in the middle, making sure there are spaces by the sides. Now, cover the back of your head and wrap the sides around each other. Tuck the ends to keep it secured and you're set for bed.

7. Braid Your Hair before Going to Bed

Braids can keep your strands safe, protected, and without tangles. But the best part is once you take them out the following day, you will have a beautiful style.

If it's up to us, we advise that you go for two or more braids, especially if you have short hair. But a single braid is also fine as long as your hair stays intact and doesn't move.

Tip: Make sure your hair is about 50% dry before braiding.

Those that are good with twists can also opt for that instead. Similar to braids, they can prevent friction, retain moisture, and protect your curls.

8. Pineapple Method

This is a method most ladies with curly hair are familiar with. It's one of those ways to keep your natural curls looking good even when you go to sleep with wet hair.

To create it, apply a leave-in conditioner to your strands, then flip your hair by bending your head. Gather your curls on top of your head and hold them with a hair tie before creating a pineapple shape with your ponytail (if you wish).

You can wear a satin or silk bonnet to bed after this and that'll be it.

9. Go for Bantu Knots

Divide your hair into small sections, then braid them to form some Bantu knots.

You can use a rattail comb to section your hair well first and comb to remove any knots before you braid. If you don't want to braid, twist each from the root to form a spiral, then roll them to lay flat on your head.

Next is to secure them further with bobby pins and wear your bonnet.

10. Use Pin Curls

Pin curls are a good solution to keep your curls in shape while you sleep. And all you need are a few bobby pins.

• First, part your hair into different sections.
• Take a section and push it upwards to your scalp using your finger.
• Make sure they are in shape while you do this, then hold them down with a bobby pin.
• Move to the other sections and do the same thing.

Once they are compressed and secured, wear a satin bonnet to protect your hair further. The bonnet or scalp makes sure to keep them in place.

How to Freshen Your Curls in the Morning?

1. Spritz your hair with water using a spray bottle

This is to add moisture to your hair. So, no need to get it soaking wet. You can also add a few drops of leave-in conditioner to the water for extra moisture. That's if you like.

Make sure to focus on the ends and the middle of your hair.

2. Apply dry shampoo if your root is oily

You can skip this if your roots are fine. However, for those who feel their scalp is a bit greasy, spray dry shampoo on it. It'll do the magic.

Dry shampoos also help to add volume to your root. So, it's not just one benefit you're getting.

3. Use your product

Rub a little curl cream on your palm and apply it to your hair. If you feel it's frizzy, you can use a serum.

4. Allow it to dry

Leave your hair to air dry to see the final results. But if you're in haste, use a diffuser instead.

Now your curls are fresh and you're ready to start your day!

Note: Many products can freshen your curls, including a leave-in conditioner. However, avoid using too many products on your hair.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sleeping with Wet Curly Hair

Check out the pros and cons below and consider should you sleep with wet curly hair.

Advantages

1. It saves you time.

This is the best part of sleeping with wet hair because you can go to bed on time without waiting for your hair to dry completely.

2. No damage by heat.

If you are used to styling your hair with heat, you can avoid that this way. This means no heat damage because there won't be a need to use any heat styling tools.

3. Achieve breathtaking styles with simple tools.

With styles like Bantu knots and braids, you can achieve flawless curls overnight.

Disadvantages

1. You might suffer from breakage. This is because curly hair is weak compared to other hair types and sleeping with wet hair can lead to more breakage.
2. For some, this is very uncomfortable. It might be because of the water that drips on their pillowcases.
3. Sleeping with wet hair might lead to scalp issues like dryness, irritation, and dandruff.

Conclusion

The tips listed here are some ways to sleep with wet curly hair at night. Try them out and let us know what you think.

We'll still advise you to try drying your hair properly before going to bed. If you're putting on a glueless wig or drawstring wig, there's no need to sleep with it wet. Simply place it on a stand and leave it to air dry.

Are there still lingering questions about this topic—how to sleep with wet curly hair? Let us know below.