Wet hair is more vulnerable to stretching and rough friction. If possible, give it time to dry before bed and avoid tying it tightly while it is still wet.
Why wet hair needs more care
Hair can be more fragile when wet. Moving against a pillow for hours can encourage tangles, flatten curls and make already delicate or damaged lengths harder to manage in the morning.
If you have to wash your hair at night
- Blot rather than rub with a towel.
- Allow as much drying time as you reasonably can before bed.
- Avoid a tight ponytail or bun on wet hair.
- Detangle gently before sleeping if your hair type benefits from it.
- Use your usual leave-in or conditioning routine where appropriate.
What about curly hair?
Sleeping on very wet curls can change the shape you worked to create and can leave sections tangled or flattened. If evening washing suits your routine, aim to remove excess water and let curls set as much as possible before sleeping.
Danielle’s professional tip
If you regularly wake with knots, frizz or rough-feeling ends after night washing, change one part of the routine at a time: drying time, product, detangling method or how you protect the hair overnight.