Everyone has done it: after a long day, you jump into the shower, wash your hair, have no energy to blow-dry it and go to bed with a wet head.
It turns out your mother was right. You should never sleep with wet hair.
Jumping out of the shower and heading to bed can cause all kinds of scalp, hair and even respiratory problems, including infections, fractures and an overgrowth of fungi, including ringworm, which can lead to bald spots.
Dr. Noelle Sherber, a dermatologist, said bacteria and germs “thrive in warm, moist environments,” meaning that while you sleep, they grow on your head and are transferred to your pillow and bed, causing a host of problems.
Going to bed with a wet head can cause serious damage to your hair, which becomes elastic and brittle when wet
She said To tempt: ‘Certain bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, moist environments and will therefore multiply on the scalp if it remains moist for hours.
‘Typically, a type of yeast called Malassezia can build up on the scalp and cause flaking, which can be mistaken for dandruff.’
Malassezia can also cause itchy pimples on the face, scalp and upper body.
Sleeping on wet hair can also cause acne and pustules, which are small inflamed blister-like sores that are filled with pus and can be extremely itchy or painful.
The infection, called bacterial or fungal folliculitis, is common and unlikely to lead to major side effects.
However, the bumps can be persistent and difficult to treat, depending on whether they come from bacteria or fungi. Severe cases may need to be treated with oral medications.
Another infection that can develop when you sleep on wet hair is fungal acne. This causes small red bumps on the face and sometimes on the upper body.
Dr. Sherber said, “I have diagnosed and identified patients as sleeping with their face on a damp pillow because they went to bed with wet hair.”
In addition to skin problems, possible breathing problems due to a damp head are a serious concern of doctors.
Dr. Cindy Wassef, a New Jersey dermatologist, told If Yahoo goes to bed with wet hair, it can lead to breathing problems, as damp pillows and bedding can promote mold growth, which can irritate the respiratory tract.
Aside from the effects on the body, going to bed with a wet head can cause serious damage to your hair, which becomes elastic and fragile when wet.
Dermatologist Dr. Ife Rodney also told Yahoo that the combination of increased elasticity and fragility can cause hair to break and for that reason she recommends allowing hair to dry completely before hitting the pillow.
Sleeping on wet hair can also cause or worsen dandruff.
To avoid problems, the experts naturally recommend drying your hair before going to bed, but if that is not possible, they recommend tying long hair in a loose ponytail or sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase, which can reduce friction on your body. locks.
Sleeping in a satin head covering can also protect your hair.
In addition to hair care, doctors say it’s important to wash pillowcases, which are prone to bacterial buildup, regularly and that you should replace or wash them weekly.