Do silk pillowcases really make a difference? Bottom line, yes: Silk pillowcases can improve skin and hair hydration, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and result in smoother, frizz-free hair every morning. Just don't expect magical results.
"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.
While a satin weave pillowcase can minimize friction (and that's a good thing!) there are many benefits to real silk pillowcases that satin pillowcases just can't deliver. If you want the best for your hair, choose a pure mulberry silk pillowcase.
Well, silk is a protein-based fibre, which acts as a natural moisturiser, so it absorbs less moisture, eradicating frizz. Its smooth surface means the fabric doesn't pull at your hair like cotton can. Less friction + more moisture = less breakage + smoother, sleeker hair.
As such, silk is prone to fading when exposed to direct sunlight, either indoors or outside. Even this best silk bedding will fade if left in direct sunlight. This is why we recommend always hanging your silk to dry away from the sun. Happily, your silk sheets should air dry very quickly, even indoors.
Which one you choose comes down to a few factors, like price and preference. "I like satin more because it's less expensive than silk, but it's also smoother than silk, reducing the friction between the hair strands and the pillowcase," says Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, Trichologist, Ph. D.
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.
Less Friction
That's not the case with a satin or silk pillowcase. The satin pillowcase will allow your hair to gently glide over the top of it reducing friction, tangles, and frizz and keeping your hairstyle intact. The satin or silk pillowcase also helps prevent split ends from breaking.
Type 2C hair waves start from the scalp and are thicker than other Type 2 hair types. This coarse hair type is the frizziest and forms a clearly defined “S” shape.
“There is some evidence that when compared to typical cotton pillowcases, less moisture is absorbed with a silk pillowcase,” says Janiene Luke, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Loma Linda University in California. These benefits are more pronounced for hair, especially curly and textured hair.
Silk can be beneficial for your skin and hair
It is simple. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can keep your skin healthy and smooth while preventing premature wrinkles. While it may seem like a steep investment, it can be worth it. It also keeps your hair frizz-free and smooth.
Some detergents are simply too harsh for silk and will leave it feeling rough and scratchy. Choose a gentle detergent specified for washing delicate fabrics, which will clean well while protecting the fibers.
Since the primary cause of frizziness is dehydration, the best way to stop your hair from being frizzy is to avoid washing with water that's too hot, steer clear of too many heat styling products and harmful chemicals, get a haircut, and use hydrated hair products like shampoo with glycerin, conditioner, leave-in ...
Before we get into what can make your hair appear frizzy, it's important to know what the underlying cause is. Frizz occurs due to a lack of moisture in the hair. This causes hair to seek moisture from the air around it, which is why humidity often makes matters worse.
Hair will slowly become drier, coarser, and thinner over the years. The truth is that as we grow older, the oils that our scalp relies on for nourishment decrease, resulting in drier, frizzier hair. Along with a change in oil production, our body stops creating melanocytes, the substance that colors our hair.
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.
Detergent can stiffen silk
Even if you are hand washing your silks are per the instructions, if you are using a detergent, they can become stiff. Using a castile soap like Dr Bronner's instead can help a lot. Even after air drying, though, your silk may still be a bit stiff.
How to Machine-Wash Silk Pillowcases and Sheets: Place in the washer with other silk items in similar colors. Turn silk pillowcases inside-out and place them in a mesh bag to prevent pulls in the fabric. Run the machine on a delicate cycle, with cold water, and use mild detergent according to package instructions.
The fabric of your pillowcase plays a role in the premature formation of wrinkles and overall skin health. “Silk pillowcases are better for your skin,” Dr. Michael Jacobs, medical technology director at Cortina and a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, previously told HuffPost.
The highest-quality silk is mulberry silk, which is made from silkworms who eat from the leaves of the mulberry tree. It's the most durable silk and also the softest, which makes it ideal for a high-traffic item like a pillowcase. There are grades within silk — A, B, and C scale, with A being the best quality.
Silk and satin – often get confused for each other, they look similar but what are the differences between the two? Despite their similar appearance the biggest difference is that satin is a weave and not a natural fibre, whereas silk is a natural fibre fabric.
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.