We’ve gathered four essential tips to protect your natural hair or Afro while sleeping. Maintaining the health of your natural hair requires more than just a daytime routine—it extends to how you care for it at night. From shrinkage to breakage, many challenges can affect the strength and moisture of your Afro. Without a proper natural hair bedtime routine, you may wake up to dryness, frizz, and hair loss.
To help you keep your natural crown healthy, read the four essential tips to protect your natural hair or Afro while sleeping.
1. Detangle, Moisturise, and Deep Condition Your Hair
A long day can leave your natural hair tangled and compressed, making detangling an essential first step in your bedtime routine. Hairstylist and founder of Mmeso’s Beauty Bar, Mmeso Adimoha, recommends using natural, homemade products to remove knots gently.
Fellow hairstylist and founder of Fabulous Mobile Salon, Faith Mensah, emphasizes the importance of moisturising your hair before bed. She explains that moisturising helps retain moisture and coats the strands to prevent dryness, which is a major cause of breakage.
“Deep conditioning helps natural hair absorb moisture and protein, strengthening the hair strands,” Faith adds.
Pro Tip: Avoid combing or manipulating your hair when it is dry, as this can cause unnecessary breakage.
ALSO READ: Deep Conditioning 101: Expert Tips for Healthier, Stronger Hair
2. Plait Your Hair Before Bed
Protective hairstyles are one of the best ways to prevent tangling and breakage while sleeping. Founder of Carlocks Beauty Studio, Mwezi Mjoli, suggests plaiting your Afro into styles such as Bantu knots or the Benny and Betty style before bed.
Mmeso adds that twists are another effective bedtime hairstyle, which can be done by parting your hair into large sections and gently twisting it. These styles help preserve your curls, reduce friction, and lock in moisture overnight.
3. Wear a Bonnet or Satin Doek
Once your hair is moisturised and braided, the next step is to protect it with a bonnet or satin doek. Faith Mensah stresses that covering your hair at night minimises rubbing and friction, which can lead to split ends and hair damage.
Mmeso explains that a bonnet helps to integrate moisture-rich natural products into your hair while you sleep. “Put your hair into a bonnet so the natural product can work wonders before the morning comes. A bonnet is also good to avoid hair breakage caused by constant friction on the bed.”
For extra protection, Faith recommends using a silk pillowcase in addition to a bonnet or satin doek, as silk helps retain moisture and prevents dryness.
4. Drink Water Before Bed
Did you know that staying hydrated also plays a role in protecting your natural hair or Afro while sleeping? Mmeso suggests drinking water at least 30 minutes before bedtime, as a healthy body leads to a healthy scalp.
Drinking water helps transport essential vitamins and nutrients to the hair follicles, promoting strong and healthy hair growth. Additionally, adequate hydration prevents scalp dryness, reducing dandruff and irritation.
Final Tips to Protect Your Natural Hair or Afro While Sleeping
A good natural hair bedtime routine is crucial for maintaining strong, moisturised, and healthy hair. By following these tips to protect your natural hair or Afro while sleeping, you can wake up with nourished curls that are easy to manage.
✅ Detangle, moisturise, and deep condition
✅ Plait your hair into protective styles
✅ Wear a bonnet or satin doek (or use a silk pillowcase)
✅ Stay hydrated before bed
Incorporate these habits into your nightly routine, and your natural hair will thank you!
ALSO READ: Top 10 Trendy Protective Hairstyles to Try in 2025
