Most damage that your hair extensions sustain won’t happen during the day. Instead, it’ll occur overnight while you’re asleep. That shouldn’t be a great surprise, given all the friction, tangling, and stress that can be caused to bonds and wefts during hours of tossing, turning, and head movement.
All this might raise questions for you about how to sleep with extensions. Fortunately, simply by having the right night routine in place, you can prevent most of those annoying morning tangles. That, in turn, will help protect your investment and keep your extensions looking fresh for longer.
Let’s take a look, then, at the essentials of sleeping with hair extensions.
Why Extensions Tangle Overnight
For great numbers of us, the experience of waking up with tangled extensions is all too familiar. Hair extensions can be particularly vulnerable to this problem, because they don’t have the natural oils that help keep your own hair smooth and lubricated.
Here are a few more reasons for overnight extension tangling being so common:
- Standard cotton pillowcases have a relatively rough surface. Their fibres catch the cuticle of both the sleeper’s natural hair and whatever extensions they may be wearing. This friction can cause strands to rub together and become knotted.
- Repeated tossing and turning over the course of the night can lead to hair wrapping around extension bonds, rings, or attachment points. Such movement puts stress on both the extension hair and the fitting method.
- Loose hair can catch on itself and create knots at the nape. These knots and matting can become increasingly tricky to brush out over time.
The Night Routine That Works
Five minutes of preparation before bed can save you a frustrating battle with extension tangles in the morning:
- Brush your extensions thoroughly, always starting from the ends and working upwards. Remove any tangles gently, so that nothing gets worse overnight.
- Before you sleep, braid your extensions loosely. A single loose plait or two loose braids will keep your hair contained without pulling on the roots or bonds. Never go to bed with a tight ponytail or bun, as this can cause strain to bonds and attachment points.
- Secure your braided hair with a silk scrunchie, rather than a standard elastic band. Silk scrunchies minimise friction and won’t snag the hair. Don’t use anything with metal clasps, as these can catch on hair pieces and lead to breakage.
Would you appreciate further in-depth advice? In that case, educate yourself on the do’s and don’ts with this overnight extension care guide.
Pillowcase Material Matters
The material that you sleep on can make a noticeable difference to your hair pieces’ condition when you get up in the morning:
- Switch to a silk pillowcase, and your extensions will thank you for it. This change alone can reduce friction by up to 40%, compared to sticking with a cotton pillowcase. By making this move, you can help ensure your hair glides across the surface of your pillowcase, instead of catching and tangling.
- If silk isn’t within your budget, you can get a similar benefit at a lower cost from a satin pillowcase. Satin may not be identical to natural silk, but it still provides a smoother surface than standard cotton bedding.
Another issue with cotton is that it absorbs natural oils from your extensions during your sleep. This leaves hair pieces drier and more prone to tangling.
It’s possible, of course, that you would prefer not to change your bedding. If so, a silk or satin bonnet or scarf can work brilliantly, especially for longer or thicker extensions.
Night Care by Extension Type
Across the various common types of extensions, overnight care requirements can differ:
- Clip-in extensions
Clip-ins must always be removed before bed; this is a non-negotiable requirement. Sleeping in clip-ins can bring about severe tangling, unnecessary stress on your natural hair, and damage to the clips themselves.
- Tape-in extensions
Sleep in a loose braid, and try to avoid direct pressure on the tape bonds whenever possible, as excessive pressure can impact on their longevity and comfort. For example, you should be positioning your head to avoid the tapes being crushed against the pillow for prolonged periods.
- Nano-ring or bead extensions
For nano-ring hair pieces, it is advisable to create a loose plait that starts below the rings. This will keep the extension hair controlled, while allowing the rings to remain free from unnecessary tension or tangling.
- Weave or sew-in extensions
Wrapping any weave or sew-in extensions with a silk scarf or bonnet will be the best way to protect them during the night. This will help maintain smoothness, lessen friction, and prevent excessive movement while you sleep.
Morning Detangle Routine
So, you’ve hopefully stopped your hair extensions matting overnight. However, there are further steps you can take to help maintain the protection of your hair pieces:
- Instead of attacking knots with a brush straight away, begin by lightly misting with a good-quality detangling spray or leave-in conditioner.
- Use an extension-safe brush or wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends and working up in small sections.
- As you brush, take a moment to check your bonds, tapes, rings, or wefts. Look out for any movement, loosening, or signs that maintenance may be required. The earlier you spot any small issues, the sooner you will be able to intervene to prevent bigger problems later.
Conclusion
When it comes to sleeping with hair extensions, five minutes’ preparation at night really can save you 20 minutes’ work in the morning.
The winning formula for most extension wearers in the UK is simple: braid or plait loosely, use a silk or satin pillowcase, and do a gentle morning detangle. That’s it.
Remember that if you are to protect your extensions in the long term, consistency will be more important than perfection. By embedding these small habits into your routine, you can go a long way to ensuring your hair pieces stay smooth and shiny for longer.