It can get a little tricky trying to keep long hair covered while you're sleeping. You understand the struggle if you've ever woken with your long locks matted, tangled, or curled in a ball of frizz. 

If you have long hair, not properly protecting it while sleeping can result in more than a terrible hair day. Your sleeping habits may cause damage over time, including hair loss. 

In this article, we'll discuss ways to protect your long hair while you sleep. You'll find advice on how to sleep with long hair, regardless of the type of hair you have or whether it has been chemically straightened or colored.

Table of Contents:

• How to Sleep With Long Hair
• Use a Silk Pillowcase
• Wash Your Hair at a Different Time
• Brush Your Hair
• Use Scarves or Wraps
• Switch to Fabric Scrunchies
• Use an Essential Oil
• Braid Your Hair
• Use a Leave-in Conditioner

How to Sleep With Long Hair

The most effective methods for protecting long hair while sleeping focus on products that you use overnight and breakage-prevention hairstyling techniques. Environmental elements, such as the moisture in your hair and bed linens, can also be important.

Here are the top 8 ways to protect your long hair while sleeping. 

• Use a Silk Pillowcase

Your hair rubs against the fibers in your cushions every time you move in bed. Your hair may become stressed and frizzy as a result. In the end, it might even lead to breakage. 

The level of friction on your tresses while you sleep may be decreased by using a pillowcase made of silk or satin. Additionally, these pillowcases may lessen your skin's stretch and stress while you sleep, assisting you in preventing wrinkles brought on by aging. Unlike cotton, silk and satin are hypoallergenic and cooling fabrics.

• Wash Your Hair at a Different Time

Even a little bit of moisture in your hair before bedtime could cause breakage or matting in the morning. Moisture causes your hair strands to become more fragile. 

Try washing your hair at a time when it has more than enough time to air dry if your schedule permits. To help lock in moisture in your hair, don't forget to finish your shower with a shot of cold water.

• Brush Your Hair

Think about introducing a different type of brushing into your bedtime routine. You can prevent frizz and matted hair by brushing out knots or tangles from your hair before going to bed. It doesn't have to be time-consuming. 

Before you style your hair for the evening and go to bed, brush it out using a simple paddle brush or a wide comb, depending on the type of hair you have.

• Use Scarves or Wraps

You might prefer a satin or silk material depending on the type of hair you have to further reduce friction while you sleep. 

You can also prevent sweat or humidity from making your hair frizzy by carefully enclosing your hair and pinning any stray strands away from your neck. 

If you want to have smooth, straight hair when you wake up, falling asleep with your hair covered is the best option. Your wrapped hair will be even more secure, and the effect of straightening will be improved by adding long bobby pins. 

• Switch to Fabric Scrunchies

The usual solution for protecting your hair at night is an elastic hairband. However, because they pull back your hair, these elastics can damage your roots and scalp. 

Use a satin or silk fabric scrunchie to tie hair up into a top knot instead. Your hair will get a breather from the friction.

• Use an Essential Oil

Applying essential oil before you go to the bed will help protect your ends. Good ways to start include Moroccan Argan Oil, almond, jojoba, and even coconut oil. 

Put your hair up in a braid or a scrunchie made of fabric, and then warm a few drops of your favorite essential oil between your palms by rubbing them. You only require a tiny amount. Apply that oil to your tresses, paying particular attention to the ends. This can shield your hair from friction and reduce split ends.

• Braid Your Hair

Try braiding your hair before sleeping if you want to avoid tangles. Any braid will do, including French braids, if you choose to get fancy, multiple smaller braids, and even a single braid. 

Instead of using an elastic, secure the braid at the end with a small scrunchie. You can tie the braid in a top knot or just wrap it around your head and fasten it there, keeping it away from your neck if you want to get additional protection. 

This will prevent moisture, sweat, and friction from damaging your hair.

• Use a Leave-in Conditioner

A good leave-in conditioner might be the solution if your hair is often frizzy and difficult to manage when you wake up. A few spritzes of a leave-in conditioner with keratin or protein before styling and protecting your hair for the evening may help strengthen your tresses at night.

Sleeping with long hair can lead to your tresses getting damaged or even leading to root and scalp problems. You can try one or more of the simple remedies mentioned above on how to sleep with long hair to ensure your hair is protected and damage-free!

Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products. From our all natural sulfate, silicone and paraben-free hair care collection we recommend Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo. And if you would like to learn more about apple cider vinegar's benefits or onion oil's benefits check out our ultimate guide on how to use them on your hair.