After bleaching my hair white a number of years in the past, it is unsurprising that it has by no means been the identical. That is particularly the case within the morning, after I get up with aggressive bedhead that requires a number of minutes of brushing, leaving my 2A/2B waves and curls frizzy and liable to breakage.
Whereas researching methods to tame my bedhead and enhance the well being of my hair, I saved coming throughout recommendation that advised I change from a cotton pillowcase to a silk one. Curious to see if this straightforward swap would really work, I attempted Cozy Earth’s 100% mulberry silk pillowcase (which the model kindly despatched me). These had been the outcomes.
My hair earlier than the silk pillowcase
I have been utilizing 100% cotton pillowcases for the previous few years. Whereas I would not say they’ve offered essentially the most luxurious expertise, they get the job executed. Nevertheless, I get up each day with tangled, frizzy hair and material traces on my face. That is compounded by the truth that I am a sizzling sleeper, which provides to the chaos — particularly since my cotton pillowcases aren’t cooling me down.
Following wavy hair routines, post-shower, I’d use a leave-in conditioner or wave spray to scrunch my hair, emphasizing my curls. I strive to not use an excessive amount of product since my hair is skinny and liable to wanting oily. After that, it dries and appears presentable. However then, I am going to mattress and get up with this…
My unruly bedhead.
This hair is tangled to the purpose the place it requires brushing (combing via with my fingers will not work). I am left with a poof of frizz with no outlined curls or waves in sight. This has occurred so usually that I’ve stopped performing my post-shower wavy hair routine since my bedhead is highly effective sufficient to make the entire endeavor really feel pointless.
Silk pillowcases cut back friction and do not take in as a lot moisture, which helps protect hairstyles, keep hair hydration and stop tangles and breakage. Due to the mild material, it’s also mentioned to be nice for delicate, acne-prone pores and skin — although it isn’t a one-stop miracle treatment. With this data in thoughts, I switched out my cotton pillowcase for a silk one.
My hair after the silk pillowcase
Upon resting my head on the pillowcase, I instantly felt a distinction. The shortage of friction made it simpler for me to glide my pores and skin and hair throughout the case, whereas the material has extra of a cooling impact than cotton (good for decent sleepers like me). Now, for the true take a look at: sleeping with the silk pillowcase.
I liked sleeping with this material. It felt a lot cooler and extra luxurious than my cotton pillowcases. Plus, there have been no residual material traces on my pores and skin. As for my hair, I carried out my post-shower wavy routine, went to mattress and awakened like this…
My hair, post-silk pillowcase.
Whereas my hair nonetheless grew to become messier in a single day, it wasn’t practically as tangled and frizzy because it usually is. I may nonetheless make out extra pronounced waves and slight curls. Normally, after I get up, my hair appears prefer it’s mad at me, however this time, it simply regarded perturbed. It was simpler to comb out with my fingers, that means that the hairbrush was solely barely essential, and consequently, my frizz was diminished. My hair additionally felt softer to the contact and extra hydrated.
Cozy Earth’s pillowcase is constituted of 100% mulberry silk and handled with aloe vera.
Since silk pillowcases will be costlier than cotton ones, I secretly hoped this experiment would not work. However based mostly on these outcomes, I believe silk pillowcases are value it — particularly for those who’re ready to care for them to lengthen their lifespan.
These are Cozy Earth’s care directions for its silk pillowcase: “Mechanically cleanable, cool iron, DO NOT DRY, gentle detergent OR HAND WASH delicately.” I’ve seen different manufacturers suggest treating your silk product gently at each step by prioritizing hand washing or utilizing the washer’s mild cycle with the merchandise in a separate mesh laundry bag for delicates.
Once more, I am low-maintenance: I used the washer with a gentle detergent. My house constructing’s mannequin would not have a delicate cycle, so I positioned the pillowcase in a protecting mesh bag earlier than washing it. Then, I let it air dry flat and had no points.
Do I like to recommend a silk pillowcase?
The side-by-side earlier than and after bedhead images.
In case you’re uninterested in bedhead, sleep sizzling or hate waking up with material traces in your pores and skin — and you’ve got the money to spare or a birthday wishlist — I believe a silk pillowcase is value it. Usually, I consider any product that may enhance your sleep is value it for those who’re prepared to care for it correctly.
In case you’re seeking to save and nonetheless reap the advantages of a silky pillowcase, CNET’s favorite budget silk pillowcase is simply $16. As for no extra aggressive bedhead, that’s priceless.
Earlier than washing your silk pillowcase for the primary time, test if the model has particular washing and drying directions. Sometimes, you’ll be able to spot-clean or machine-wash your silk pillowcase with chilly water on a delicate cycle (with out spin). It is best to keep away from harsh material softeners and bleach and use gentle detergents as an alternative. You possibly can air-dry your pillowcase or use the dryer on a low setting.
Turning your pillowcase inside out and placing it inside a mesh laundry bag can assist shield it through the wash and dry course of.
Silk pillowcases have the potential to assist with acne-prone pores and skin. Due to their easy, tightly woven materials, they will cut back friction and irritation and stop the build-up of micro organism and extra oil manufacturing. Silk would not take in as a lot moisture from the pores and skin as supplies like cotton, which helps maintain the pores and skin hydrated. Silk can also be naturally hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating.
Like the remainder of your bedding, recurrently washing your silk pillowcase is important to take away oil and dust buildup. Nevertheless, it additionally relies on your pores and skin. Usually, as soon as per week is enough, however twice per week could also be higher when you have excessively oily pores and skin. To increase the lifetime of your silk pillowcase, go for hand washing or spot-cleaning with a gentle detergent and letting it hold dry.
Silk pillowcases have some potential downsides. The first one is the upper value, as silk is taken into account a luxurious materials. One other is the particular care necessities. As a result of silk is delicate, it would get broken extra simply than different supplies like cotton, and never everybody loves silk’s cool, slippery really feel. Lastly, there could also be ethical concerns, as producing actual silk includes silkworms.
