Is Sleeping in Braids Bad for Your Hair? Protect Your Hair and Get Beachy Waves Overnight

Co-authored by Mindy Nguyen and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 3, 2021 References

If you’re looking for an easy way to get beachy waves in your hair, you may have heard of sleeping with braids overnight. We know that you’re concerned about keeping your hair safe and healthy at night, but braids are pretty safe as long as you prep your locks. We’ll answer some of your most common questions and let you know the best ways to protect your hair when you wear braids overnight.

Question 1

Question 1 of 7:
Is sleeping with braids safe for your hair?

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Yes, but you could damage your hair if your braids are too tight. When you pull your hair into a braid with a lot of tension, you put stress on your scalp that could eventually lead to hair loss.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mindy Nguyen
Holistic Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 8 October 2021.} If you ever braid your hair before you go to sleep, make sure that it feels loose against your scalp so you don’t cause any damage.^{[2]
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- If you notice inflammation or thick scaly skin on your scalp, it could be a sign you’re pulling your hair back too tightly.

Question 2

Question 2 of 7:
What should I do before braiding my hair?

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Wash and condition your hair. Start with clean hair so your style is ready to go as soon as you wake up in the morning. Work moisturizing or hydrating shampoo and conditioner into your hair. If you want to give your hair more of a boost, try using a product with “volumizing” on the label. Rinse the shampoo and conditioner out of your hair completely.^{[3]
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- Ask a hairstylist for recommendations on what shampoo and conditioner you should use for your hair type.
- Conditioning your hair also helps smooth and protect your hair so it’s less likely to get frizzy and snag.
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Squeeze your wet hair with a towel until it’s damp or dry. Pat your hair dry with a towel rather than roughly rubbing it so you don’t damage or tangle your locks. Try to absorb as much moisture as you can from your hair so you’re less likely to damage it when you put it into a braid.^{[4]
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- Avoid using a hairdryer since it could damage your hair or make it frizzier.
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Comb your hair with a paddle brush for curly and wavy hair. Avoid using anything made from metal since it could damage your hair more than help it. Gently run a large paddle brush through your hair to get rid of any tangles. That way, it’ll be a lot easier to section and braid.^{[5]
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- Keep brushing to a minimum since it could break or pull out weak strands.
- If you normally have straight hair, use a wide-toothed comb instead of a paddle brush.^{[6]
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Question 3

Question 3 of 7:
Is it okay to braid wet hair?

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It's best to braid your hair when it's dry or damp so you don't damage it. When you tie back wet hair, it’s a lot easier to stretch and could lead to tension breakage. If you want to braid your hair, always wait until it’s at least towel-dry so you don’t cause any damage.^{[7]
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Question 4

Question 4 of 7:
How do I tie braids at night?

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Use scrunchies instead of tight elastics for looser waves. Tight elastic rubber bands can pull your hair tighter and put more stress on your scalp. They can also make a kink in your hair that stands out more than the rest of your waves. Instead, look for soft scrunchies to tie the ends of the braids.^{[8]
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Leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) of your hair untied at the end. As you’re making your braids, twist most of the length of the strands. Leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of unbraided hair at the end when you tie it off. If you tie it off any higher up on your hair, you’ll have an awkward section of straight hair in the middle of your waves.^{[9]
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Question 5

Question 5 of 7:
How can I protect my braids overnight?

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Sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent your hair from snagging. Your hair can snag on the fibers of rougher fabrics, such as cotton. Since silk is smoother, your hair will glide over the surface without getting caught while you’re sleeping.^{[10]
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- You could use satin instead of silk if that’s all you have available.
- Alternatively, you can use a satin-lined sleep beanie.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Mindy Nguyen
  Holistic Cosmetologist
  Expert Interview. 8 October 2021.}

Question 6

Question 6 of 7:
What should I do when I take out my braids?

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Run your fingers through your hair to break up your waves. After you undo the elastics, gently pull your braids apart by hand. Comb through your hair with your fingers and break apart the curls to show off your wavy hair.^{[12]
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Spray your hair with an anti-frizz serum to tame any stray ends. You’re bound to have a few hairs go out of place after you let your braids down, so work the serum onto your hands or spritz it directly in your hair. Gently work the serum in your locks with your fingers to keep your style under control.^{[13]
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Question 7

Question 7 of 7:
What are the other benefits of sleeping in braids?

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You’re less likely to get tangles or snags in your hair with braids. When you toss and turn in your sleep, you could accidentally get your hair caught on something and break some strands. When you braid your hair, you pull all the loose strands together so they’re less likely to move around or snag while you’re asleep.^{[14]
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You’ll get natural waves in your hair without any heat styling tools. Curling or making waves in your hair with heat tools in the morning can be really damaging over time. Since the braids hold your hair in the same position throughout the night, they’ll naturally crimp your hair. Your waves will look tighter and closer together if the braids are taut, but a looser braid will give you a more relaxed style.^{[15]
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Your hair stays out of your face and prevents breakouts. If you don’t shower at the end of the day, your hair could have a lot of dirt and oils that built up over the day. When you sleep, your hair could get in your face and possibly cause blemishes. If you put your hair up in braids, it stays away from your face so it stays clean.^{[16]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do you sleep with tight braids?

Mindy Nguyen
Holistic Cosmetologist
Mindy Nguyen is a Holistic Cosmetologist and the Owner and Founder of Mai Blossom Organic Salon, an organic hair salon in San Diego, California. With more than 35 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in combining Eastern philosophies with Western science to provide organic hair coloring and holistic hair styling.

Mindy Nguyen

Holistic Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You really shouldn't be sleeping with tight braids at all. This can cause stress to the roots of your hair as well as hair breakage.