7 Simple Ways to Protect Your Natural Hair While Sleeping

By Martha O

What's my nighttime routine like? Usually, I wash my face and put my hair in a satin bonnet. But if you have thick, afro-textured hair, you might want to do more than that to avoid waking up to a tangled mess.

Luckily, there are simple tips you can follow to protect your natural hair and prevent tangles and dryness while you sleep.

In this article, I will share seven easy ways to protect your natural hair while sleeping at night.

1. Apply a scalp treatment

Janelle applying her scalp treatment

Scalp treatment helps to combat itchiness while simultaneously promoting new hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp.

If your scalp is dry, massaging a generous amount of scalp treatment for three to five minutes is recommended.

2. Spritz your hair

Janelle spritzing her hair

After applying the scalp treatment, spritz your hair with water from a spray bottle.

3. Apply a hair mask

Janelle applying hair mask

Next, apply a hair mask all over your hair to combat dryness and provide the necessary moisture for repair.

4. Wear a satin bonnet

Janelle wearing her satin bonnet

Once the hair mask has been distributed throughout your hair, put it into two low ponytails and cover them with a satin bonnet.

5. Put hair in twists

Janelle putting her hair in twists

Another effective thing to do is to twist your hair before bedtime. This leaves your natural hair stretched in the morning after removal, making it easier to style.

6. Use the banding method

Janelle doing the banding method

The banding method is great for achieving stretched, defined curls and preventing tangles.

To use this method, start by splitting your hair into 4 sections, leaving out the perimeter hair. Then, band the length of each section with an elastic hairband and wear a satin bonnet over it.

If you sleep with a satin pillowcase, you can skip the bonnet.

Before tying up your hair at night, try re-moisturizing with your favorite refresher spray, an oil and water mixture, or just water.

7. Brush your hair before bedtime

Here's an extra tip to include in your nighttime routine. Before you go to sleep, brush your hair with a wide-tooth comb or bristle brush.

Be sure to brush from the roots to the tips for a few minutes. This helps to circulate the scalp's natural oil through your hair and prevent tangles the next day.