Why you should wear a sleep cap and how to pick the right one?

Background Intro

Sleep caps are one of the best ways for you to keep your hair healthy and strong. Daily life can dry out and damage your hair, making it harder to grow your hair due to split ends and breakage. More and more women are choosing to wear sleeping caps outdoors and during the day, not just at night, to maximize the benefits. Every hair type can benefit from a silk or satin night cap, which protects your hair from the rough cotton of your pillowcase.

What is a sleep cap?

A sleep cap(hair cap) is a piece of clothing that people wear with their pajamas (e.g., nightgown, jumpsuit, etc.) while sleeping. It is also called hair bonnet or hair turban. Historically, when it was cold in Northern Europe, people started to wear hair bonnets to protect themselves from the cold. At that time, the form of the bonnet was similar to the knitted cap used to keep warm. The tail of the longer sleep cap protects the neck. The nightcap was most prevalent in the Victorian era. In modern times, the sleep cap has gradually become a bedroom item. Many women also wear them outdoors to protect their elaborate hairstyles.

What hair types benefit most from sleep caps?

Hair bonnets have always been very popular with Africans or people with textured hair and it has become almost a necessity in their lives. It is widely believed that hair bonnets are very useful for naturally curly or coiled textured hair, such as beach waves, ringlets, twists, soft curls, etc. They lock in hair moisture and prevent tangles. In fact, they don't just work for a few specific hair types. Whether your hair is long or short, thick or fine, straight or curly, coarse or smooth, you will be able to discover the many benefits that sleep caps bring to your hair. It helps to protect your hair and maintain your unique hairstyle. Therefore, there is no doubt that a bonnet can be used for all hair types.

What are the types of sleep caps?

Now there are many types of sleeping caps on the market. Here we are divided into three main types according to the material.

#1 Silk bonnet

Silk is a purely natural fiber. Among them, mulberry silk is the most popular. The silkworms eat the mulberry leaves and produce silk. A silk bonnet is very comfortable and affectionate to the skin. This kind of hair bonnet does not add plastic ingredients and does not contain any artificial materials. Since silk sleep cap is very comfortable to wear, it is made into a variety of intimate apparel and bedding. For people with sensitive skin, the silk bonnet is the best choice.

#2 Satin bonnet

In appearance, satin bonnet is very similar to silk. The difference is that it is a man-made fabric. Satin bonnet is made from a mixture of nylon, polyester, and rayon, sometimes with silk added. Generally speaking, the texture of satin is different on both sides. One side is shiny and the other side is slightly dull. With regard to feel, both silk and satin bonnet are gentle and smooth, but this is only true for the lustrous side of satin.

#3 Bamboo bonnet

For chemotherapy patients, the bamboo bonnet is a good choice.In fact, these bonnets are effective for anyone who is experiencing hair loss. They are as soft and comfortable to the touch as silk and satin bonnets. Bonnets of this material have antibacterial properties. If you are preparing for chemotherapy, you may want to consider bamboo sleep caps. They can also be worn with a halo wig, bangs or a full wig. They are a stylish and comfortable alternative to wigs.

Why would people wear sleep caps?

What is the purpose of wearing a bonnet? First I will tell you that your hair benefits a lot from the hair bonnet. Slip down to unlock secrets of the sleep cap!

#1 Maintain your hairstyle

This is the most typical advantage of a hair bonnet. When you just change your hairstyle, you don't want it to last only a few hours or days. Imagine: you need to attend an important date and you spend time and effort to get a sophisticated haircut, can you bear to see it ruined soon? The answer is obvious. Well, in order to ensure that your hairstyle can last longer, you need to wear a hair bonnet before you go to bed. Not only will it reduce friction between your hair and pillowcase, it will also keep it in its original shape, thus extending the life of your look.

#2 Contribute to styling

For a working guy, waking up early every morning to give himself a nice haircut is almost impossible. If you want to get a good look quickly in the morning, try a hair bonnet. After cleaning your hair at night, apply a curl cream or other texturizer, followed by wrapping your hair around rollers or tying it into braids and putting on a hair bonnet before bed. The next morning, you'll get bouncy curls or vibrant braids. The secret is that while you sleep, the bonnet creates an airtight space that promotes continued nutrient absorption into your hair, making it easier to style.

#3 Lock in moisture and nutrition

The easiest hair type to attack is dry hair. When your hair becomes dry, it is likely to suffer from split ends, breakage, loss of shine and a host of other problems. Most hair problems stem from dry hair. That’s why moisturizing is an essential step in your hair care routine. As much as we love those high thread count cotton sheets, they can absorb moisture from our hair, causing dryness. When we sleep, we are always moving and this can cause hair to be pulled and lead to moisture loss. Luckily, hair bonnets can take on this important task. They retain moisture and moisturizing products to stay in the hair instead of being sucked out by pillowcases and bedding.

#4 Prevent breakage

The most common cause of cuticle damage is excessive friction. But, as you might think, one cannot avoid moving before going to sleep. Your hair is constantly rubbing against the pillowcase and comforter, causing the cuticle to become thinner, and eventually chipped. Do you often find loose hair all over your bed when you wake up? A soft and smooth sleep cap can greatly reduce the possibility of hair breakage and split ends. Silk pillowcases are also a trendy option to reduce this damage. They drastically reduce the amount of friction your hair is subjected to, while giving your hair a natural shine.

#5 Minimize frizz and tangles

Perhaps you often wake up to find your hair frizzy. This is because too much friction between your hair and the pillowcase is causing the cuticle of your hair strands to lift up and look like a pile of hay. Frizzy hair tangles easily. The hair strands tangle up and form several clumps. Bonnets can be the perfect solution to this problem. They have a delicate surface and definitely do not damage the cuticle. They keep the hair off the pillowcase, reducing static electricity and ensuring that your hair is in a sleek condition. Bonnets can also avoid hair curl and make your hair look neater.

#6 Shield your scalp from irritation

If you have a sensitive scalp and feel itchy every night when you sleep, a hair bonnet will be your savior. Silk or bamboo bonnets have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and are feather soft to the touch, with a silky texture that is very light and stress-free to wear. This is one of the benefits of wrapping hair at night. They wraps your scalp, do not let it touch other things, can prevent scalp irritation, effective relief of scalp discomfort. If you are going through chemotherapy, hair fall and hair loss is enough to destroy your mood. But a hair bonnet can re-energize you.

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#7 Regulate your scalp temperature

Being warm in the winter and cool in the summer is one of the advantages of hair bonnets. In fact, the scalp and hair are more fragile compared to other parts of the body. In summer, your scalp sweats due to the heat,; in winter, most people do not feel their head is cold, but the hair bears everything. Do you feel like your hair is frozen in winter? Bonnets help regulate the temperature of your scalp, it can adapt to different temperatures and make your scalp feel cool or warm. In addition, the hair bonnet is very breathable, you don't have to worry about your scalp feeling stuffy at all.

#8 Improve your skin appearance

You may find this hard to believe. How can a hair bonnet possibly enhance the smoothness of your skin? Don't be shocked, let me explain. Regardless of your hair type, your hair is more or less oily, right? And no one can wash their hair as soon as it gets oily. What happens when the oil is absorbed into your pillowcase and comforter? The oil keeps depositing and then transferring to your face. This clogs your pores. Wear a bonnet to avoid this bad thing. Not only are you protecting your hair, but also improving the appearance of your skin.

#9 Enhance your sleep quality

Several of the benefits mentioned above will be able to help you get a good sleep. Reducing scalp irritation as well as maintaining a balanced scalp temperature can both add to the comfort of sleep. When you are no longer bothered by head discomfort, you will naturally be able to fall asleep quickly and not wake up in the middle of the night. Recent studies have shown that a hair bonnet also helps improve immunity. For chemotherapy patients, it can greatly enhance the quality of sleep, thus promoting physical recovery.

#10 Save on hair expenses

Most hair bonnets are not too expensive. Great quality silk and satin bonnets may be slightly more expensive, but they are also the most popular. Hair bonnets have multiple uses and can give you a lot of bang for your buck. First of all, wearing a bonnet to maintain your hair eliminates the need to keep applying hair care products. Secondly, bonnets help hair to maintain the shape, reduce the times you go to the barbershop, to avoid frequent coloring and perming. At the same time, the hair will be healthier. Compared to going to the hair salon to do an expensive styling, a bonnet is simply a good value for money.

How to pick the right one for me?

Today, there are a variety of nightcaps on the market. If you can't decide, you can follow these steps to find the right sleep cap for you.

#1 Get the proper length

• Short bonnet

If your hair is above your collarbone, then you can opt for a short bonnet. It's enough to wrap your hair in completely without a few strands falling out. If you like to braid your hair, put the braids up into the bonnet and it won't ruin the look of your hair. The short bonnet is also more versatile, you can use it to shape your hair.

• Long bonnet

When your hair reaches your collarbone and below, you'll need to consider a long bonnet. Of course, it works well for hair extensions as well. If you have thinning and straight hair and don't curl easily, you might like the long hair wrap. It won't leak out or rub against your hair, keeping it smooth and free of hair loss. Long sleeping cap can prevent wet hair from touching your face.

• Extra-long bonnet

This super long bonnet is very popular with people with curly hair. The reason is that it smoothes out frizz in curly hair and keeps it styled. It is very inclusive and has enough space to accommodate voluminous and thick hair. Super long hair wrap looks very luxurious and noble, for people with long and curly hair said it is a good sleeping supplies and accessories.

#2 Select the cozy fabric

• Type

In addition to the mainstream materials like silk, satin as well as bamboo fiber, there are also cotton bonnets and some mixed spandex bonnets on the market. Cotton is usually used to make the outermost layer of some sleeping, it is better closed, so it keeps you warm. The biggest advantage of this fabric is very durable and can be worn for a long time. Elastic fibers such as spandex are sometimes present in the outer layer of the hair wrap. This composition can make the bonnet more elastic, so that your hair is easily wrapped.

• Fabric content

When you are browsing for bonnets, don't forget to take a look at the product description (product details). It can offer you all the ingredients of the bonnet you have selected. You can't make a decision based on the appearance of a hair wrap alone. Look carefully at how much silk and satin is in the material list, or how much cotton and spandex is in it. The better quality silk and satin bonnets usually contain 95% and above. Generally, manufacturers combine them with cotton or bamboo fibers to make the surface of the bonnet, and the proportion of about 5%.

• Silk bonnets vs Satin bonnets: Which is better silk or satin bonnet?

Silk bonnet

Pros

Soft and smooth to the touch, very skin-friendly, suitable for wearing as bedding.
Great breathability, can retain the moisture of the scalp and hair follicles.
Not easy to cause allergies, the fiber in the silk bonnet can repel fungus or mites.
Can quickly air dry.
Can regulate the temperature, warm in winter and cool in summer.

Cons

Not as durable as a satin bonnet.
It is best to wash by hand and avoid machine washing. Requires detailed care procedures and cannot be exposed to direct sunlight.
Price is generally higher.

Satin bonnet

Pros

Very durable, can be used for a long time.
Can be put in the washing machine, easy to take care of. Can be used outdoors as well.
It will not get wet by water. It is waterproof and will not absorb your sweat.
Maintain a fixed shape to a certain extent, not easily deformed.
Cheap and economical. Can be used as a substitute for a silk bonnet.

Cons

Rough surface, not suitable for making intimate apparel or other clothing.
Not as breathable as a silk bonnet.
Can't adjust the temperature.

#3 Determine the right size

Size is also a factor you must consider. Use a tape measure to measure the size of your head and the length of your hair and record the data. Ask the manufacturer for a size chart of the product and compare it to your own size. Choose the size that fits you best.

• Get the correct data

Here are two points to keep in mind. One, you should wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your head circumference, not just the top of your head. Measuring only the top of the head may mislead you to choose a smaller size. In fact, you would rather have a slightly larger size than a head that feels cramped. For two, if you like to cover your ears as well, don't ignore them when measuring.

• Check the elastic band

As a rule, these straps are very stretchy and therefore will fit most head sizes. Nevertheless, you have to make sure that it does not have a heavy webbing. It is important to choose an elastic band that is thin and ultra-light so that it can provide the desired performance without causing headaches. If the elastic band is too tight, it can damage your hair, causing your hairline to move back and hinder the blood circulation. If the band is too loose, the bonnet will fall off when you sleep.

• Available in extra large sizes

In addition, if your hair is very thick and voluminous, or has voluminous buns, we recommend that you prepare an oversized night cap.This bonnet can withstand a variety of long hair styles, and it usually hangs down the back. There are also round oversized bonnets designed for Africans. It is important to note that their diameter matches the length of your hair field. For example, 17 inches of hair suitable for the diameter of 17 inches of bonnet.

#4 Observe the top structure

The top of almost all bonnets are designed like this - seams are sewn together on all sides and come together at the top to converge into a single point. This structure creates more space and allows your hair to be wrapped perfectly inside. The raised section at the top does not touch your hair, so no matter how much you move it, it will not become frizzy throughout the night.

We all have different head shapes and it is necessary for you to make sure that the shape of the bonnet fits your head. When you decide to buy a nightcap, you should look closely at its top structure to determine if it matches your head shape. A bonnet that does not fit can make your head feel squeezed and uncomfortable, as well as cause wear and tear on your hair. Just make sure that the product you choose has sturdy seams and is comfortable to wear so you can use it for a long time without causing any structural damage.

#5 Make your choice of style

bonnets are available in a variety of styles. There is the appearance of a round stand on the top of the head, but also like a long cloth hanging down on the back.There are several popular styles. There are several types of popular styles. For example, the front of the nightcap has various shapes of straps, the most common is the shape of bows and flowers. This kind of sleeping cap will not disturb your sleep (unless you like to sleep on your back). There are also straps at the back of the neck, they are often used as a decorative item in the street, with a certain ornamental. The simplest style is not embellished with anything else and looks very atmospheric and minimalist.

#6 Focus on adjustability

The sleep cap will cover your entire hair and head, from your hairline all the way to the back of your neck and even your back. Whether the bonnet has adjustable buttons, snaps or straps (or other types of adjustable settings such as sticky fabric) is something you need to look for.

• Button bonnet

Bonnets with buttons are more fixed, they can always maintain the same degree of tightness. You can embed the button into different holes and wear it to experience its stretch range. First embed the first hole to try whether the hair can be completely stuffed, if you can stuffed and there is still space left, prove that this bonnet is too big for you. Then embed the last hole, if the hair can not be completely stuffed in, then you should change to a larger bonnet.

• Strap bonnet

Bonnets with straps are a little more flexible, they do not have fixed holes, so the stretch range is greater. All you need to do is wrap the strap around your head and tie another knot before you go to bed. As for the degree of tightness, the strap bonnet may not be able to achieve a very tight state, but in fact does not need to be very tight, or your skin will be tight.

#7 Find the color you love

Perhaps you prefer the crispest of solid tones, or with prints and cartoons, or of course geometric shapes such as stripes and polka dots. If you just use bonnet as a good companion for sleeping, you just need to choose according to your personal preference. If you often wear it in the outdoors, you can according to the clothing color scheme and hair color to consider the color of the bonnet. This way, it can protect your hair and add extra style to you at the same time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wearing a sleep cap has numerous benefits for your hair and overall sleep quality. By choosing the right material and size, you can ensure maximum comfort and protection for your hair while you sleep. So, whether you have curly or straight hair, make sure to invest in a high-quality sleep cap and experience the difference it can make. Sweet dreams!