How to Keep Your Hair Out of Your Face While You're Sleeping

Co-authored by Amber Rose and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: January 17, 2023 References

If you're tired of waking up with bed head, you'd like to protect your hairstyle, or your skin is prone to breakouts, pull your hair back at night. Gathering your hair into a simple style prevents it from rubbing against your pillow and becoming frizzy or damaged–especially if you want to protect long hair. It's also critical if you're trying to improve the health of your skin. Preventing hair from pressing against your face keeps the oil off your skin. Spend a few minutes adjusting your bedtime routine so you wake up with great looking hair and healthy skin. We’ll cover easy methods for protecting your hair while you sleep (including popular techniques for using a satin or silk scarf).

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Caring for Your Hair

1
Wash your hair when it's greasy and dry it completely before going to bed. You don't need to wash your hair every day since washing too much can strip your hair of natural oils and make it dry. Instead, shampoo your hair with a product that matches your hair type whenever your hair feels oily. Then, air dry or blow-dry your hair so you don't sleep on it while it's wet, which can tangle your hair or break it.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- For example, if you have dry hair, choose a moisturizing shampoo.
- Going to bed with clean hair also keeps your pillowcase free from grease that can transfer to your face while you sleep.
2
Pull your hair into a low ponytail if you'd like to keep your hair straight. To get your hair out of your face, gather it into a ponytail near the base of your neck and tie it loosely with a soft elastic hair tie. Don't wrap the band too tightly or you'll create a kink in your hair.^{[2]
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- Keep the style loose so it's comfortable for you to sleep on.
- If elastic hair bands are uncomfortable, use a soft scrunchy to keep your locks in place.
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3
Make a loose French braid if you want to create a wavy texture. To give your hair a loose, casual look in the morning, pull your hair back and make a French braid. The braid keeps your hair away from your face and shapes your hair into waves while you sleep.^{[3]
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- If you find it uncomfortable to sleep on the French braid, make 2 smaller French braids on the sides of your head.
4
Put your hair into a high bun if you want to keep your hair's volume. If you've got thin hair or just want to maintain a blowout, gather your hair onto the top of your head. Wrap an elastic or foam band around your hair to make a loose bun. If you want a lot of large waves, make 2 smaller buns on the top sides of your head.^{[4]
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- A high bun is great for sleeping on since the bun rests on your pillow instead of under your head.
5
Wrap a silk scarf around your hair to prevent frizz. If you have flyaway hairs near your face, tie a silk scarf around your scalp so it covers your hair. The silk prevents friction that causes your hair to frizz while you sleep.^{[5]
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- Sleeping with a silk scarf around your hair is especially great for curly hair, which is more prone to becoming frizzy.
6
Sleep on a silk pillowcase to keep your hair smooth and healthy. Swap out your cotton pillowcase for a soft silk pillowcase. The silky fabric doesn't rub across your hair as you sleep, which causes damage and frizz.^{[6]
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- Sleeping on silk also prevents your hair from drying out since silk doesn't absorb moisture like cotton.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Protecting Your Skin While You Sleep

1
Remove your makeup before you go to bed. It's important to remove products that clog your pores and can lead to breakouts. Wash your face with a cleanser that's designed for your skin type and give your skin a break while you sleep. This also prevents makeup from dirtying your pillow.^{[7]
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- If you don't have time to wash your face with a cleanser, use a makeup remover wipe. Then, rinse your face with cool water.
2
Apply nighttime skincare products that work while you sleep. Some products like retinols and glycolic acid are more effective while your skin is resting. If you use anti-aging products or heavy moisturizers, spread these on your face before you go to bed.^{[8]
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- Many anti-aging products are also photo-sensitive, which means you shouldn't apply them during the day if you'll be exposed to sunlight.
3
Change your pillowcase every other day. Even if you wash your face before bed, you'll still transfer natural oils to your silk or cotton pillowcase. Because you're probably laying your face on your pillowcase at some point during the night, keep your pillowcase clean. Wash it at least every other day to prevent breakouts.^{[9]
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- If you have a lot of pillowcases, swap out your pillowcase every night.
4
Sleep on your back to prevent wrinkles and keep your skin looking fresh. It can be tricky to train yourself to change sleep positions, but try to sleep on your back. This naturally keeps your hair out of your face and your face won't become creased as you sleep against your pillow.^{[10]
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- Keep your head slightly elevated to prevent fluid buildup around your eyes.
5
Run a humidifier to prevent your skin from drying out. If you wake up in the morning and your skin feels dry or itchy, run a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep. The humidifier adds moisture to the air which also prevents your hair from becoming frizzy.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Remember to apply a moisturizer to your skin before turning in for the night. Since you're pulling your hair back, you don't need to worry about your hair getting moisturizer on it.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can you wrap your head in a scarf to protect a hairstyle overnight?

Amber Rose
Licensed Cosmetologist
Amber Rose is a Licensed Cosmetologist and the Founder and Owner of Quality Style Weaves and Braids Salon in Orlando, Florida. With over ten years of experience, Amber is experienced in twists, braids, weaves, cutting, styling, and conditioning treatments. She specializes in hair growth for all hair types.

Amber Rose

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

First, get a proper size scarf for the style. Before you put the scarf on, pin your hair up. Then take the scarf and stretch it out. Bring it under your hair at the back of your head and hold the two ends up in the air. Then cross the ends. Bring the ends back under the hair, cross them, then bring them up and tie them in a bow. If you take the two bows and tuck them under your scarf, that will lock your scarf in.