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You planned to wash your hair this morning but hit the snooze button. Then your dog decided to drag his feet on the morning walk, so there went your shower time, and you decided to throw that hair in a bun, resigned to the fact that you'll wash it tonight. We've all been there, and more than likely, we've all at some point hit that pillow exhausted, with our hair still humid — or, if you're like me, sopping wet. Unfortunately, doing so may cause some unpleasant effects for the skin on your scalp, face, and other parts of your body.
"Personally, I was told never to go to bed with wet hair because it could result in various bad endings such as fungal and bacterial infections, which could lead to an itchy scalp and dandruff," says Marilisa Sears, artistic director for Marc Anthony hair care, who first alerted Allure editors to the phenomenon. After doing our due diligence, we can confirm dermatologists agree that this old wives' tale isn't just fiction: When the dead skin cells, makeup, and natural oils that populate your pillowcase mix with wet hair, the results can be… not so pleasant.
If you're brave enough to know what exactly that pre-bedtime hair wash might be causing to manifest in your bed and on your scalp, read on: We spoke to dermatologists and hair experts to understand more about how and why going to bed with wet hair is not recommended from a health perspective. But rest assured, there are preventative measures you can take if you just can’t avoid that nighttime shower.
Meet the experts
- Marilisa Sears is artistic director for Marc Anthony Hair Care.
- Kavita Mariwalla, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and micrographic surgeon in West Islip, New York.
- Priscilla Valles is a Los Angeles-based hair extensionist.
- Jennifer Linder, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon and founder and Chief Medical Officer of Linder Health.
- Noëlle Sherber, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C.
What are the disadvantages of going to sleep with wet hair?
Hair is at its most fragile when wet, so if you go to bed with it damp and proceed to toss and turn against a pillow, you run a higher risk of breakage. But aside from being rough on your delicate strands, hitting the pillow with damp hair puts you at risk of developing skin infections, primarily on your scalp. "Certain bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, moist environments and so will proliferate on scalp skin if it stays damp for hours," explains Washington, D.C.-based board-certified dermatologist Noëlle Sherber. "Most commonly, a type of yeast called Malassezia can accumulate on the scalp and cause flaking, which can be mistaken for dandruff." The best way to know what's causing a flaky scalp is to see a dermatologist as the differences in their clinical presentations can be subtle, adds Dr. Sherber.
While sleeping on that wet hair, you could also be susceptible to developing small acne bumps or pustules (small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores) that could become itchy or painful. Dr. Sherber says this would be an infection called bacterial or fungal folliculitis. Despite the daunting name, though, folliculitis is a relatively common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become inflamed. It's best you visit a dermatologist if you find yourself experiencing persistent symptoms, though, as it would be difficult to self-diagnose, says Dr. Sherber, adding that it will be treated differently depending on whether it's caused by bacteria or fungi. She says that while mild cases may be amenable to treatment with over the counter antimicrobial products, more severe cases may require topical and/or oral medication. One such over the counter option would be Tower28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray which contains hypochlorous acid, she says.
The "fun" part about sleeping with wet hair is that these downfalls can even go beyond your scalp and hair. Similarly to what could appear on your head, you could also develop an infection on your face in the form of fungal acne. It would present as small red bumps and sometimes affect the upper body. (If you're someone with hair that touches your back, you may be wondering if your chances of developing this on the upper body are higher. But that wouldn't be a factor seeing as the yeast causing the acne lives on the scalp or face skin, but not in the hair — and isn't capable of traveling.) These small red bumps, explains Dr. Sherber, resemble acne but are technically also a form of folliculitis caused by the same Malassezia that could cause an itchy and flaky scalp. "I've diagnosed patients with this and traced the cause to their sleeping with their face on a damp pillow caused by going to bed with wet hair," shares Dr. Sherber.
How often should you wash your pillowcase?
You might've already guessed, but pillows tend to be prone to bacterial buildups just because each night, it's spending seven to eight hours (just being optimistic) in direct contact with your head. A good rule of thumb, says board certified dermatologist Jennifer Linder, is to change your pillowcase at least once a week and make sure you're washing your hair and scalp regularly — preferably with enough time to let it dry before bedtime. Silk and satin pillowcases are better for creating less friction and therefore less damage to your hair than cotton pillowcases, but do not necessarily have an impact on the amount of bacteria that can form, explains Dr. Linder.
But as New York-based board-certified dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla tells Allure, the bacteria that live on our skin, clothes, and linens are normal and generally co-exist with us in harmony. However, when your hair is wet, you are more susceptible to picking up pre-existing bacteria on your pillowcases, causing a problem for your scalp. "It's uncommon, but the risk increases," warns Dr. Mariwalla. The moisture from your hair could, in turn, also cause more bacteria to grow on your pillowcase, and sometimes the pillow itself.
If you don't mind a slight crinkly sound and want to be extra safe, you could also invest in a waterproof pillow protector such as this. However, if the plastic-y feel isn't for you, then you could also just add a regular cotton case as an extra layer of protection between your pillowcase and pillow. Dr. Sherber explains that pillows can hold onto moisture and become a breeding ground for mildew and unwanted microorganisms, so having the extra layer will help protect your pillow filling.
Do hair extensions make the scalp more prone to infection?
Hair extensions can make it more challenging or take more time to thoroughly dry the scalp, especially if you're someone wearing a semi-permanent hair topper. So the most significant consideration with hair extensions is that you'll need to allow for more drying time, says hair extension expert Priscilla Valles. As a general guideline, Valles recommends washing your hair extensions at least several hours before bed to allow sufficient time for the hair to dry thoroughly.
And if you run out of time and can't get your hair washed earlier, you could consider cheating wash day altogether. This advice goes for everyone, whether we are talking hair extensions or natural strands (or both). Valles says her go-to dry shampoo for use with extensions is Vegamour GRO Dry Shampoo due to its lightweight feel.
And in addition to potentially contracting an infection, if you're someone with tape-in extensions, leaving them wet can decrease their lifespan as moisture gets trapped inside the tape. This, in turn, can break up the adhesive bond and cause the extensions to fall out sooner.
Can scalp infections be contagious, especially if you share a bed?
If you develop an infection from going to bed with your hair wet, you could expose others to it. Dr. Linder explains that if the irritation is caused by bacteria it can be contagious and spread to other parts of the body. This would have to occur through direct contact, though. If it were to evolve to this point, you'd have to be on the lookout for any red, itchy, and oozing sores. This, Dr. Linder explains, could indicate an Impetigo infection. "Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that can occur anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp. It can be spread from person to person through contact with the infected sores or by sharing personal items, such as towels or bedding." And although it can be contagious prior to attaining the ooze-y and itchy stage, it is unlikely, says Dr. Linder.
What can you do if you just have to shower before bed?
When you're in a rush to just get to bed, even blow drying your hair can take too much time and leave your hair still damp. If this is you, hairstylist Sears advises focusing on drying the roots, since that area has the most direct contact with your pillowcase. Once out of the shower, you can also wrap your hair in an absorbent microfiber towel to help get the bulk of the water out. (Dr. Sherber recommends this one from Aquis.)
Above all else, though, know that it's okay to fall asleep with wet hair occasionally. We are all human, and occasionally there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done. Sometimes your shower just gets pushed until nighttime, and that's life. Although the bacterial and fungal risks associated with going to bed with wet hair are very real, most experts indicated that they are uncommon, says Dr. Linder. But if you suspect a bacterial infection or experience any pain, you should seek help from a doctor. Sweet dreams!
Read more hair tips and tricks:
- The 25 Best Hair Tips That Pro Stylists Have Ever Told Us
- This Hairstylist Has a Genius Trick for Smoothing Flyaways
- The 5 Best Curly Hair Tips We've Ever Learned From Stylists
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