Waking up and seeing hair falling off the pillow is a common phenomenon. However, if this situation recurs daily in large numbers, dermatologists believe that the cause may originate from seemingly harmless sleep habits. Besides hormonal factors, genetics or micronutrient deficiency, the scalp environment at night plays an important role in the hair's development cycle.
According to Dr. Chagarla Mythri, a dermatologist specializing in skin and hair in Hyderabad, India, the process of hair follicle recovery and regeneration takes place most strongly in deep sleep. “If hair and scalp are constantly subject to friction, dryness or stretching during sleep, the hair will gradually weaken and become more prone to breakage,” she emphasized.
How does the friction from the pillow shell and sleeping position affect hair?
One of the factors often overlooked is the material of the pillow shell. Cotton has a higher absorption capacity and a rougher surface than silk or satin. When swaying while sleeping, repeated friction between hair and the cotton pillow shell can damage the hair body, causing mechanical breakage instead of natural physiological breakage.
Dr. Mythri said that switching to silk or satin pillow shells helps hair slide slightly, reduces pulling force on hair follicles and limits scalp irritation. This change is considered a simple but effective measure to reduce hair loss in the long run.
Sleeping posture is also significantly affected. Sleeping on your back helps reduce direct pressure on hair and scalp, while sleeping on one side for a long time can cause local hair loss due to concentrated friction. Experts recommend changing postures regularly to distribute pressure evenly and support blood circulation to the scalp.
Sleep quality and pre-sleep habits determine hair health
Sleeping when hair is still wet is a clearly harmful habit. According to research published in the Annals of Medicine and Surgery, wet hair has a weaker structure, is prone to breakage and disrupts the microbiome of the scalp, thereby increasing the risk of irritation and hair loss. Doctors recommend to dry your hair completely and tie it loosely before bed.
Not only that, sleep quality directly affects hormones. Many international studies show that sleep deprivation increases cortisol, the stress hormone, thereby disrupting the development cycle of hair follicles. According to Dr. Mythri, deep sleep is the time when growth hormones are secreted, supporting tissue repair, including the scalp and hair.
Some nighttime habits recommended by dermatologists include: gently massaging the scalp before bed to increase blood flow, loosening or braiding hair, using a moisturizer if the air is dry, and sleeping enough 7-8 hours each night. A 2016 study in the journal ePlasty showed that regular scalp massage can improve hair thickness by increasing blood supply to hair follicles.
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