Share on Facebook
We have all been hearing this old school advice that has been passed down from one generation to another about not going to bed with wet hair because it will make you sick. That's just one of the few advice older people have for our hair.
It has always been a question of whether sleeping with wet hair is bad or not. Well, the answer is yes and no. Yes, it may be bad for you, and no because it may not be totally because of what you think. Today, let's try to list down a few of the reasons why sleeping with damp hair is not advisable.
Hair breakage
For some reason, there are few people who would love to wash their hair at night. May it be because it fits their schedule, or it has been their habit for a long time, and they're just simply unaware that it has a few harmful effects on their hair.
Every time our hairs are wet, it is in a 'compromised' state. This is one of the main reasons why we need to pay extra attention to our hair after washing it. It is highly suggested not to tug or pull your hair or to turn and toss in bed as the hair is at its weakest when it's wet. Plus the fact that it will cause you more time styling once it's dry that may make you consider using strongest holding hair wax.
Causes dandruff
The prolonged wetness and warmth of your head can cause fungi and bacteria to multiply on your scalp. Not to mention the natural oil being stripped away from your hair because of the dampness. We also need to take note that both losses of natural oil and bacteria growth make our scalp more prone to dandruff.
Although dandruff is not severe or contagious, it can be shameful and difficult to treat. If you don't want to deal with itchy scalp, skin flakes on your eyebrows, hair, beard, or mustache, shoulders, and mostly on your scalp, then better try to avoid sleeping with your hair still wet.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection and is highly contagious that could be very itchy and may cause patchy hair loss. Sleeping in warm and damp hair may be one of the reasons one could get this ringworm as they mostly fostered in these conditions.
Most people who have ringworms show symptoms such as scaly, gray or reddened areas on their heads, tender or painful areas on the scalp, hair that easily brittles, and slowly expanding or enlarged patches. If you've been sleeping with wet hair and observed a few of these symptoms, you might want to consider seeing a doctor.
Acne
Any mold or bacteria that are lurking on your scalp can be out of control in a damp environment, which means every time you sleep with wet hair, you are helping bacteria to grow and foster even more.
Furthermore, these microorganisms will most likely penetrate in your pillow. If you are lying your head with a pillow that is crawling with bacterias, there's a high possibility for you to be experiencing acne break out. Your skin should be thankful for drying your hair before sleeping.
Bacteria growth
It is based on the fact that the combination of warmth and water can cause fast growth of bacteria. A wet or damp pillow may become a ground for breeding of these fungi, bacterias, and any other infectious microorganisms.
Some people think that a constant change in their bedsheets and pillowcase will help, but it will definitely not. If you genuinely want to avoid or get rid of them, you might wish to reconsider your daily routine, including sleeping with damp hair.
Conclusion
As most people say, our hair is our "crowning glory"; therefore, we should take good care of it. We are under the impression that sleeping with a damp hair causes your immune system to weaken and get sickness like a cold, but the real fact is that most of the adverse effects will all come down to the health of your hair.
We all have our ways of accomplishing our daily routines, including taking a bath or even just merely washing our hair. However, we do it, or when we do it is entirely up to us, but we also need to make sure that we are not compromising our health for it. We may want to consider observing precautions and may want to try rearranging these routines.
