How to Protect Short Hair While Sleeping

Co-authored by Madeleine Johnson and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 28, 2024 References

If you’ve woken up with a bad case of bed head, you’re definitely not alone. Not to worry! There are plenty of quick, easy ways to care for, protect, and style your short hair before calling it a night. Scroll through some possible haircare solutions and see if any appeal to you!

1

Sleep on a silk pillowcase.

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Traditional cloth pillowcases can make your hair frizzy. Silk pillowcases are very smooth, and don’t mess up your hair cuticles while you sleep.^{[1]
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Research source} Slip a silk pillowcase over your pillow instead to protect your short hair and prevent unwanted frizziness.^{[2]
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- Satin pillowcases are also a great option.

2

Secure your hair in a silk wrap or bonnet.

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Wrap a silk scarf around your hair before heading to bed, or slip on a silk bonnet for more full coverage. Silk accessories are especially great if you have short, natural hair, which is delicate and more likely to tangle.^{[3]
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3

Dry your hair with a microfiber towel.

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Regular cloth towels can frizz and break your hair. If you usually shower before bed, dry off your wet hair with a microfiber towel or old T-shirt instead.^{[4]
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Research source} These are a lot gentler, and won’t cause any damage.^{[5]
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Research source} Don’t rub your hair with the towel; instead, gently squeeze and blot away any excess water.^{[6]
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- This trick is especially helpful if you have curly hair, as traditional towels can mess with your curl pattern.
- You may wake up with bed head if you go to sleep with wet hair.^{[7]
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4

Brush your hair before going to bed.

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Pick out a brush that works well with your hair type. Start brushing along the ends of your hair, working in small, gentle movements. To prevent breakage, slowly work your way up to the top of your hair.
- Brushes that have flexible bristles are great for fine, straight hair, while a widely-spaced paddle brush is best for thick, curly hair.^{[8]
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- A boar bristle brush is best for frizzy hair.
- A wet brush or pick comb is good for natural hair.
- Brush damaged or thinning hair with a synthetic-bristle brush.

5

Spritz your ends with dry shampoo.

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Dry shampoo helps protect pixie cuts from potential bed-head. Grab your go-to can of dry shampoo and spray the ends of your hair. You don’t have to comb it in! The product prevents your strands from flipping out the next morning.^{[9]
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- Dry shampoo also adds a bit of texture and volume to your hair.

6

Treat your hair with nourishing oils.

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Argan and coconut oil moisturize and hydrate your hair overnight. After hopping out of the shower, massage a dollop of argan or coconut oil through your damp hair. Leave the oil on overnight; in the morning, your hair will look and feel great!^{[10]
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- Only use a small amount of oil, so the product doesn’t get all over your pillows and bedding.
- You don’t have to wrap your hair! These oils are jam-packed with proteins, and can protect your hair all on their own.
- This treatment works best if you shower before bed.

7

Spritz natural hair with a moisturizing mist.

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Moisturize your hair so it doesn’t dry out. Stop by your local beauty or hair supply shop and pick up a moisturizing mist. Spritz the product all over your hair, working from your roots to the ends.^{[11]
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- Any moisturizing mist will work well for this! You don’t have to use a name-brand product.
Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

Proper hair maintenance takes effort. "The mistake people make is not taking care of their hair the way they do their skin or their body. It’s so important to hold on to the health of your hair, because unlike our skin, once you lose that health and your hair’s damaged, it’s damaged until you cut it off."

8

Preserve curly hair with Bantu knots.

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Bantu knots keep your curls defined overnight. Divide your hair into 8-10 different sections with a wide-tooth comb. Starting at the roots, twist each individual section of hair into a tight coil. Then, hold each knot in place with a bobby pin.^{[12]
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- For extra protection, slip a silk bonnet overtop your knots before heading to bed.

9

Secure your curly hair in pin curls.

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Pin curls make your curls look softer. Grab and separate a single curl from the rest of your short hair. Then, loop the hair along your index finger. Slip the coil off your finger, flatten it against your head, and secure it with a bobby pin. Remove the bobby pins in the morning to create a bouncy, stylish look.^{[13]
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10

Braid your hair before sleeping.

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Loose braids make it easier to sleep with a bob-style haircut. Starting a few inches or centimeters from the ends of your roots, tie several sections of hair into loose braids.^{[14]
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Research source} Then, spray a leave-in conditioner over your hair before heading to bed. Your hair will look textured and stylish in the morning!^{[15]
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Tips

Toss out any shampoos, conditioners, and other styling products made with sulfates. Sulfates, like sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate, aren’t good for your hair since they strip away valuable oils.^{[16]
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Warnings

Don’t use heat styling tools super frequently. These can damage your hair in the long run.^{[17]
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Ditch any haircare products with phthalates, alcohol, and silicones. Unfortunately, these ingredients aren’t good for your hair.^{[18]
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