You might be tempted to blame your pillowcase if you're noticing hairs on your pillow in the morning. But, there is no evidence that pillowcases cause or contribute to hair loss.
Less Hair Damage and Frizz
The benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase are most pronounced for hair, experts say, because the smooth surface reduces friction and thus breakage.
Silk is a gentle environment: From moisture, to softness, to repelling allergens, silk is a gentle, nurturing environment that can help care for skin and promote regrowth. Most importantly, sleeping on genuine mulberry silk can never damage your hair; there are only benefits to be had!
Satin offers similar haircare benefits to silk, but it won't retain moisture as well as silk. "Satin absorbs a little bit more than silk since it's a mixture of numerous materials including cotton, but it's still way less than 100% cotton pillow cases," Onuoha says.
Is it normal to find hair on your pillow? Yes, within reason. We're constantly shedding hair so finding some on a pillow isn't surprising. However, if you find a large clump of hair on your pillow day after day, you may want to consult a doctor to be sure there is no underlying medical condition.
The good news is all these problems are easily addressed by switching to a silk pillowcase. Silk allows the hair to slide around on your pillow effortlessly, so you wake to smoother hair. This luxurious fabric also helps your hair retain its moisture, since it's not as absorbent as cotton.
Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
Do silk or satin pillowcases cause static? As satin is usually made from polyester it can cause a bit of static in your hair (less so than cotton). Silk on the otherhand is anti-static.
Harsh chemicals like bleach or relaxers can break down the bonds of the hair, making it weaker and thus more prone to breakage. Heat styling can also put enough stress on your hair to cause breakage, so it is always important to use a protectant before you grab a hot tool.
Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Brooklinen is well renowned for its cozy sheets and towels, but the bedding brand also makes all-star silky pillowcases. Its mulberry silk material is breathable and naturally cool to the touch, two features that guarantee less friction damage to your hair and skin.
Waking up with frizzy, brittle hair is less than ideal. Unless you sleep in the same position and don't move all night, it will be impossible to maintain a sleek style with a cotton pillowcase. The friction from moving causes hair to rub, leading to not only more breakage but a nightmare look in the morning.
Silk absorbs less moisture than other popular bedding materials like cotton. This allows the skin to retain more moisture, which in turn helps prevent dry or itchy skin. Silk is also less likely to absorb any lotions or serums you might use in your bedtime skincare regime. These benefits extend to your hair as well.
If you frequently sleep with wet hair, we suggest investing in a silk pillowcase. Silk doesn't retain moisture well, thereby allowing your hair to dry faster. More importantly, it's slick and produces less friction when compared with a cotton or flannel pillowcase.
"Silk is beneficial to the hair because it is a breathable fabric allowing circulation and preventing the moisture from night sweats from getting trapped at the root of the hair," says Hill." It also helps to minimize the friction between our hair fibers and cotton fabrics.
There's a reason why many dermatologists recommend silk pillowcases. Not only is the material naturally hypoallergenic, which can keep irritation at bay, but it also has a silky smooth texture that's no match for the troublesome friction other materials might cause.
"Silk doesn't absorb or pull moisture from your skin the way traditional cotton pillowcases do, leaving hair hydrated and frizz-free." Plus, according to Richy Kandasamy, a hair colorist and a member of R+Co Collective, resting your head on this fabric will keep textured hair fresher and less "slept on" upon waking.
Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) can damage silk significantly. It is best to wash all silk products in cold water. Don't use bleach, which will harm the fabric and cause it to yellow, or fabric softener which can leave residue on the fabric.
Turning the pillowcases inside out before washing will protect the fibers and may extend the life of the fabric.
It doesn't matter whether you usually sleep on your side, on your back, or on your stomach. Since your hair follicles aren't impacted by the position in which you sleep, you don't need to worry about damaging them or causing hair loss.
The best way to wear your hair when you sleep is loosely tied up in a low ponytail or a bun, with a soft fabric tie or scrunchie. As an alternative, you can also wrap your hair in a silk or a satin scarf or bonnet to help with moisture retention and reduce friction.
People who sleep on their back or side might find that sleeping without a pillow causes neck or back pain. Sleeping without a pillow may help reduce wrinkles, but there is no evidence to suggest that it can help with acne or improve people's hair.