How to Sleep with Straight Hair

Purchase a silk or satin scarf. There are various types of head wraps available, but the best for protecting your hair overnight are those made of silk or satin. These materials reduce friction between your hair and the pillow, preventing tangles when you wake up. You can choose from patterned scarves, folded scarves, or even neck scarves, as long as they can securely wrap and tie around your head.

• Large bonnets are also suitable, but they may be too loose to keep your hair in place, so opt for one with an adjustable tie. Select a scarf that can fully cover your hair and stay firmly in place.

Use your fingers to apply overnight hair serum. To maintain straight hair, use an overnight hair serum with low alcohol content and rich in keratin protein before sleeping. Take a small amount of serum on your fingertips and apply it to your hair by smoothing it from top to bottom.

Part your hair down the middle at the back of your head. You need to divide your hair into two sections for this wrapping method. Use a comb to part your hair from the middle at the back of your head. Tilt your head forward and use a comb or your fingers to create a clean part.

• If you have a front section of hair, you can also create a focal point there to divide your hair into two equal parts.

Brush your hair while keeping the sections separate. First, brush the front section forward to separate it from the back. Then, brush each side of the front section backward, ensuring you have two equal sections on each side.

• Use a loose hair tie to secure one side, separating it from the other side for the next step.

Wrap each section tightly around the back of your head. Gather the middle of the left section from the back, as if you're making a ponytail. Twist the hair neatly over the back of your head, positioning the ends to the right and securing them with a bobby pin if your hair is freshly straightened. Repeat the same for the right section, twisting it neatly to the back with the roots on the left.

• If there's excess hair on the left, twist it to the right. If there's excess on the right, twist it to the left.
• If you secured one section with a hair tie earlier, remove it before wrapping.
• For long hair, you may need to wrap each section forward and then backward again, ensuring it stays firmly in place.

Secure the ends with bobby pins. After both sections are tightly wrapped around your head, use bobby pins to secure the ends. Choose pins that match the shape of your head to minimize dents in your hair.

• If your hair is very long and you’ve wrapped it forward, you may need additional bobby pins to keep it secure.

Cover your wrapped hair with a scarf to keep it secure. Use a scarf to neatly wrap your hair, starting from the back of your head and tying it at the front to avoid sleeping on the knot.

• The scarf will help hold bobby pins in place and keep your hair intact while you sleep.

Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. If you prefer not to use a scarf, you can protect your hair overnight by using a pillowcase made of silk or satin. These materials reduce friction with your hair if you move your head while sleeping.

• Look for silk or satin pillowcases online or in stores that sell bedding accessories.
• Even if you skip the scarf, it’s recommended to wrap your hair to minimize tangling during sleep.

Brush your hair straight while wet and let it dry completely. If you have naturally straight or slightly wavy hair, try shampooing or conditioning before bed. Use a paddle brush or wide-tooth comb to detangle, then air-dry or blow-dry your hair while brushing it downward.

• Ensure your hair is completely dry before sleeping, as even slight moisture can cause curls or tangles overnight.
• Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners designed for smoothing hair, as sulfates can dry and frizz your hair.

Apply overnight straightening treatments for frizzy or damaged hair. If your hair is frizzy or damaged, use smoothing oils, serums, or hair creams before bed. Ideal products include argan oil or coconut oil. Apply a small amount to your fingers and smooth it from roots to ends.

• Use a fine-tooth comb to distribute the product evenly, ensuring every strand is nourished.

Loosen your bun in the morning. Brush your naturally straight or straightened hair to smooth it out and tie it into a high ponytail. Use a hair tie to secure it loosely, then create a small bun by wrapping the hair around the base of the ponytail. Secure the bun with a fabric band.

• In the morning, undo the bun and brush your hair until it’s straight.
• This method works best when combined with other solutions, such as sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase or using an overnight straightening serum.

Keep your bedroom cool. Nighttime sweating can cause your hair to curl and tangle. Set your thermostat or air conditioner to maintain a cool room temperature, or open a window on cooler nights.

Control scalp oil with dry shampoo for sleek, straight hair. If you have naturally straight hair, it’s less likely to get oily. Instead of washing your hair every night, try using dry shampoo to manage oil and maintain volume. Spray the dry shampoo about 6 inches (15 cm) from your roots and let it sit for a minute before massaging it into your scalp with your fingers.

• If using powdered dry shampoo, shake a small amount onto your roots and massage it into your scalp. Add more powder to other areas if needed.

Apply a thickening treatment before bed. If you have naturally straight hair, you can use a thickening product to add volume. Take a small amount of the product on your fingers and apply it to damp hair.

• To enhance thickness, secure your hair in a high ponytail, loose bun, rollers, or braids after applying the product.