How to Keep Long Hair from Tangling at Night
Braids, Updos and Tips for Keeping Hair Tidy While Sleeping
Sep 2, 2009
People who twist and turn at night often wake up to find their hair is a mass of snarls. Tangled hair wastes time in the morning and can be damaging and painful to untangle. By oiling, bunning, braiding or covering your hair at night you can prevent knots from forming.
Oil Your Hair Before Bed
If you plan to wash your hair in the morning, oil it before you go to sleep. The oil will provide a lovely moisturising treatment, and the residue will be washed away in the shower. More importantly, it will add “slip” to your hair overnight, preventing the hair from catching and tangling itself. If your hair prefers a heavy oiling, use an old pillowcase or wear your oiled hair in a cap at night to prevent grease stains. Oiling works well with both bunning and braiding hair.
Braid Long Hair At Night
Braiding is an excellent way of preventing tangled hair. In general, the more confined hair is the less it can tangle – so two braids will be more secure than one and so on. In general, one braid is sufficient, although people who sleep on their backs may find using two braids is neater, as they do not rub between the head and the pillow.
Braid firmly but without pulling – it’s hard to sleep with tight, painful braids! French or Dutch braids contain the hair most securely; English braids are quicker but leave the hair above the nape of the neck loose, which can result in tangling for people with fine hair. Rope braids are less appropriate for sleeping, as hair tends to escape. Most other types of braids, such as crown braids and herringbone braids, are suitable – in fact, trying out new braids at night is an excellent way to practice until you master the techniques. Bear in mind that braiding, particularly on damp hair, will leave you with wavy hair in the morning.
Wear Hair Buns at Night
For those who find braids uncomfortable, sleep buns are an option. Sleep buns are usually simple buns such as cinnabuns worn on top of the head to protect the hair. Buns contain the hair slightly less securely than braids; however, for long hair they may be more convenient, as braids can get trapped under backs or wound around necks!
Secure a sleep bun with a hair-friendly hairtoy such as a scrunchie. Bunned hair may also give you wavy hair in the morning, with larger, softer waves than braid waves.
Wear a Night Cap to Protect Hair
A night cap sounds quaint, but it’s a very practical way to prevent tangling and damage. Hair catches on rough surfaces, which leads to damage and knotted hair. A silky nightcap lets the hair slide against a smooth surface. If you don’t fancy the idea of wearing headgear to bed, try a satin pillowcase. You’ll notice a difference in the morning – braids look less fuzzy, buns less frizzy and hair less tangled.
For more information on preventing knots, see Tips for Tangled Hair.
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