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Even if you don’t struggle with hair fallout or thinning it’s still important to treat your locks with care to preserve their appearance in the years to come. Your hair follicle is extremely delicate and can snap easily, so when it comes to styling your hair, it’s of the utmost importance that you find looks which won’t tug at the roots or compromise the durability of your strands.
Daytime styling is one thing, but being gentle with your locks should carry into the evening as well, and there are certain styles which should be avoided when your head hits the pillow as they may exacerbate thinning and fallout, expediting the hair loss process. Sleeping with your hair in a loose bun or braid may be your best options for stunning locks the following morning, but there’s one style that experts agree will only stand to make your hair worse–and you’ve probably slept in it before.
Unsurprisingly, a tight ponytail is the worst hairstyle you could regularly sleep in as it compromises the strength of your locks and can increase the probability of tugging and fallout from the root. “Any high pony that’s tight will pull at the delicate hairs on your scalp and rip them out, especially around the front, sides, and back hairline,” warns hair stylist and wig designer, Germaine Leroux. Repeatedly throwing your hair in a ponytail at night will not only cause immediate damage, but it will also weaken your strands over time, creating a long term issue.
Think about it this way: when you sleep, your head moves back and forth across the pillow as you toss and turn. Worn loose or in a bun or braid, the hair is free to move with your head. But in a tight ponytail, the strands are confined to the elastic and can snap and break throughout the night. “Ponytails restrict movement of the hair strands, so as you toss and turn, you’re actually tugging on your hair which can make hair loss worse,” explains hair expert Ghanima Abdullah. Realistically, this warning is not reserved for tight ponytails alone and extends to all styles which may tug at the roots. French braids, ballerina buns, and rubbery headbands are all also frowned upon when it comes time to lay down your head each night if you want to avoid damage.
If you do want to keep your hair up and out of your face at night, another option is to try a satin hair bonnet. “It allows you to sleep with your hair loose while keeping your hair from tangling,” explains Abdullah. “It also helps preserve your hairstyle and keeps your strands from getting caught in the fibers of that comfy cotton pillowcase.” Another solution if you feel more inclined to sleep with your hair down but are hoping to avoid tangles is investing in a silk pillowcase. Not only will this eliminate knots in your hair, but silk pillowcases have also been shown to have a variety of anti-aging skincare benefits as well.
Taking care of your locks extends long past the products and masks you apply, and the style that you sleep with your hair in regularly can make a significant impact on fallout over time. A tight ponytail can be extremely damaging to your hair, ripping strands from the roots, so when in doubt, a loose braid or bun is the best way to go for beautiful texture the next day without causing long term damage. Adding a satin pillowcase or bonnet to your arsenal is another great way to maintain the longevity of your good hair day, so take out that ponytail after a long day and allow your locks to breathe while you sleep for less thinning and healthier, stronger strands.
