When it comes to hair care, sometimes various tips and tricks actually help promote growth and healthy locks. One of the most popular beliefs includes braiding one's hair before sleeping in order for it to grow longer and stronger. Do such claims have any roots? Well, to have our answers we spoke to our expert, Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Department of Dermatology, Sharda Hospital - Noida, and explored the science and benefits behind this hair care habit.
Does Braiding Your Hair Make It Grow?
“Hair growth is mainly influenced by genetics, scalp health, and general nutrition,” Dr Gulati explained. For the unversed, hair grows roughly half an inch per month. Although braiding does not stimulate hair growth directly, it does contribute to healthier hair, which supports growth retention.
Benefits of Braiding Your Hair Before Bed
Now that we know that braiding hair before bed betters the hair, Dr Gulati shared how:
1. Reduces Hair Breakage
The major advantage of braiding your hair before bed is that it reduces friction between your hair and the pillow. Your loose hair is easily tangled and breaks while sleeping. Braids contain and protect your hair from damage.
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2. Prevents Split Ends
When your hair is left loose, it rubs against surfaces or gets caught in movement, which makes it prone to split ends. Braiding locks the hair strands together, thereby reducing the chances of fraying.
3. Retains Moisture
Braiding can help retain moisture in your hair by preventing excessive exposure to air, which can dry it out. If you have naturally dry or curly hair, braiding before bed can help keep it hydrated.
4. Maintains Hair Strength
By reducing mechanical stress, braiding can help maintain the strength of your hair strands over time. Stronger hair is less prone to breakage, allowing you to retain length effectively.
5. Encourages Natural Waves
If you like the look of natural waves, you can braid your hair at night and wake up with beautiful waves the next morning without using any heating styling tool.
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Tips on How to Braid Your Hair Before Bed
To take full advantage of the benefits of braiding, follow these expert-approved tips:
- Use a silk or satin pillowcase to help reduce frizz and breakage.
- Apply a lightweight hair oil or leave-in conditioner to keep hair hydrated overnight.
- Avoid tight braids as braiding too tightly can put strain on your scalp and hair roots, leading to tension damage.
- Choose a loose three-strand braid, fishtail braid, or even a rope braid that can protect without excessive tension.
Bottomline
Although braiding cannot be used for direct stimulation, it contributes directly to the protective mechanism and to retaining your hair. For this reason, with braiding alone, one prevents breakage or splitting and remains moisturised thus preventing further weakening, allowing keeping the hair looking healthy with minimised cuts; which indirectly promotes keeping the length. Therefore, if one wants a pretty simple means to protect his/her hair overnight braiding as a means would improve their hair quality and texture!