The Complete Guide to Protecting Your Hair at Night

We spend hours asleep, which is exactly when most frizz, dryness, and breakage begin. This guide shows you how to build a simple night routine that protects your strands and makes every morning easier.

Why night protection matters

• Friction roughens the cuticle and creates frizz.
• Cotton absorbs moisture and leaves hair dry by morning.
• Tossing and turning can tangle ends and cause breakage.

Step 1: Choose the right sleep surface

Use a bamboo hair bonnet or bamboo pillowcase to reduce friction and retain moisture. Bamboo is smooth, breathable, and great for sensitive scalps.
Related reads: Why Sleeping with a Bamboo Hair Bonnet Will Transform Your Hair
Compare fabrics: Bamboo vs Satin vs Silk: Which Fabric Is Best for Your Hair?

Step 2: Prep hair in 3 quick moves

1. Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush.
2. Add lightweight hydration with a leave-in, curl refresher, or a tiny bit of oil on mids to ends.
3. Seal and tuck your ends inside a bonnet or use a soft bamboo scrunchie for a loose pineapple or braid.

Morning help: 3 Easy Morning Routines for Healthier Hair 

Step 3: Protect your ends

Ends are fragile. Keep them tucked, moisturised, and off your shoulders while you sleep. A loose braid, two twists, or a pineapple with a gentle scrunchie works well.

Step 4: Pick gentle accessories

Avoid tight elastics that tug and dent. Choose soft, fabric-covered scrunchies and clips that glide over hair.

Step 5: Match the routine to your hair type

• Curls and coils: Pineapple or two chunky twists, bonnet on.
• Waves: Loose braid to preserve pattern, bonnet or pillowcase.
• Straight or fine hair: Silkiness can slip out of styles, so choose a pillowcase or a fitted bonnet and a low loose pony with a soft scrunchie.
• Long hair: Braid or wrap, then bonnet to stop mid-length friction.

What to avoid at night

• Going to bed with wet hair
• Tight hairstyles that pull on roots
• Heavy products that leave residue on the scalp
• Rough cotton pillowcases that wick moisture

Quick checklist

• Detangle lightly
• Add a touch of hydration on mids to ends
• Use a bonnet or pillowcase made from bamboo
• Secure gently with a soft scrunchie
• Sleep, then enjoy an easier morning

Want to go deeper on common pitfalls? 5 Nighttime Hair Mistakes That Cause Frizz 

Shop the look: BetterBe bamboo hair accessories