Is Taking a Bath at Night Better for Your Hair?

Do you like to shower in the morning and start your day fresh? Or do you prefer to bathe in the evening to wash the day's dirt and grime away? Most people shower when it's convenient. But did you know that taking a bath at night can affect your hair's condition? Below are the pros and cons of washing your tresses at night, tips on how to avoid hair breakage, and products to help reduce hair fall.

If taking a bath at night seems natural to you, there may be a good reason. A study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews showed that a warm bath an hour or two before bed induces a natural cool-down effect in the body, resulting in better sleep. This "Warm Bath Effect" not only helps you fall asleep faster, but it can also increase your slow-wave and non-REM sleep.

But when it comes to hair, the benefit of taking a bath at night is a clean scalp and strands. Hair shafts can potentially harbor bacteria due to their grooved cuticle surface. If you're out and about all day, showering before bed ensures you're not taking dirt, pollution, and germs where they can contaminate your sheets and pillowcases, spreading them to other areas of your skin.

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology shows that bacteria in moist skin and scalp travel toward the upper hair follicle, where it's easily dislodged and transferred to surfaces. Similarly, scalp disorders such as folliculitis and dandruff, among others, are linked to microbes, so going to bed with a clean scalp can help minimize their symptoms while you sleep.

So, is it okay to shower at night? While keeping your head and body clean before bed can be beneficial, avoid going to bed with wet or damp locks.

Wet hair is more fragile and brittle, especially if it is highly porous. Water can damage hair over time, degrading the integrity of its outermost layer. These cuticles lie flat to protect the cortex of the hair and are covered by a layer of fatty, waxy, oily substance that makes them naturally hydrophobic. But chemical treatments and heat styling can eventually damage the cuticles, making them swell with water. Going to sleep with wet strands subjects them to friction with your sheets and pillows, which can cause further damage.

So, it's essential to dry your hair before going to bed. You can use a microfiber towel or a hair dryer. However, keep it at least 15cm from your hair, continuously moving it around as you dry your strands.

You can also fortify locks with hair-strengthening products as you shower, night or day. Use a deep cleansing yet gentle, silicone-free formula specially made for weak hair. Dove Botanical Anti Hair Fall Shampoo Silicone Free Primrose strengthens and nourishes strands to reduce hair fall. Pair it with Dove Botanical Anti Hair Fall Conditioner Silicone Free Primrose, which protects brittle hair.

Meanwhile, long and healthy hair can be yours with Sunsilk Strong and Long Shampoo. It contains biotin and aloe vera that strengthen your locks and make them resilient to friction and other physical stressors.

Taking a bath at night is not bad for your hair if you don't go to bed with water-logged locks. For lovers of night showers: you can minimize damage by drying before hitting the sack.