When it comes to washing hair at night, there’s something you should know: Going to bed with damp hair is never a good idea—in fact, it is one of the worst things you can do for the health of your hair. “Wet hair is a breeding ground for dermatitis and possible fungus,” dermatologist Clara Lacasta says. “In addition, when hair is wet, it is at its weakest state and breaks more.”
Blow drying at night
Knowing that, it seems blow-drying at night is non-negotiable. To get a good blow-dry at night with minimum damage, Lacasta recommends gently drying your hair almost entirely with a hair dryer and then using a round brush to smooth and style.
Hair stylist Pablo Bogado, ambassador for Wella and Termix, agrees that blow-drying hair is essential for healthy hair. To protect the hair, he recommends first removing as much moisture as possible with a towel. “Don’t be too rough; just lightly rub the hair with the towel so that it does not break,” he advises.
As for what kind of towel, he prefers cotton. “There has been a lot of talk lately about cotton versus microfiber,” he notes. “However, I particularly like 100% cotton towels for their softness and because they allow air to pass through so the hair breathes and doesn’t suffer.”
Try the “wrap drying” technique
Speaking of suffering, Bogado also recommends keeping the hair dryer a comfortable distance from the hair to prevent scorching it when drying. He says two to six inches away is the ideal distance to ensure that the dryer does not touch the hair shaft directly.
He also recommends using the “wrap drying” method, which involves using a paddle brush or round brush to smooth the hair while drying. “When drying your hair, it’s important to move it around,” he explains. “That way the heat disperses better and we separate the strands.”
Keep your hair type in mind, too. “If you have fine hair and want to give it volume, you can dry your hair with your head upside down. If you want to straighten and smooth the hair, dry from roots to ends with the help of a brush,” he says.
Of course, if that sounds too complicated, you can also try a hair dryer brush, which is a blow dryer and round brush in-one. Many people find them more efficient and easier to handle than a separate dyer and hair brush.
How often should you wash your hair?
Whether you’re a proponent of washing hair at night or in the day, it’s important that you don’t let your hair stay damp for too long. So, avoid wrapping it in tight braids or buns while it’s wet.
As for how often you should be washing your hair, that’s entirely dependent on your unique hair and scalp needs. “It’s okay to wash your hair every day,” Lacasta says. “Wash your hair every day if it gets dirty; grease and sweat irritate the scalp.”
And, no, you’re hair won’t fall out more if you wash it often: it can actually a nice opportunity to baby your hair and keep it optimally healthy. “Turn every wash into a chance to treat the hair with conditioner and nourishing oil on the ends,” says Lacasta.
This post originally appeared on Vogue.com
