How To Take Care Of Short Natural Hair At Night

Last Updated on September 11, 2022 by The Blessed Queens

You can do everything right with your natural hair regimen… and still ruin it all with a bad nightly routine. Think about it- you spend a significant portion of your life with your hair squashed underneath the weight of your head.

This can lead to breakage as your curls snag on your pillowcase, dryness as your hair loses moisture overnight, matting/tangling from friction between hair strands, and unmanageable hair when you wake up in the morning.

How To Take Care Of Short Natural Hair At Night

Healthy hair care doesn’t stop when you sleep! Besides, given the amount of precious time you spend on your hair, I’m sure you want to keep it looking good for as long as possible.

Today, we’re sharing some hair care tips to protect and maintain your curls, coils, and kinks at bedtime!

Moisturize

It’s a good idea to replenish any moisture your hair might have lost throughout the day before heading to bed.

Even if you have a good routine of regularly moisturizing your hair, applying a bit of something lightweight at night can make a big difference.

Adding it at bedtime will ensure that you don’t have wet hair in the morning. Of course, do this as you feel is necessary.

Seal your ends

Sealing your hair not only keeps the moisture in but it also helps your ends from splitting, becoming dry and brittle or breaking off. Ends are the oldest part of the hair and they need to be cared for and sealed to retain length.

Shorter styles do not have to deal with friction from clothing but just the sun, pollutants and the elements are doing harm too so the sealant (usually a natural oil or a cocktail) lends a barrier to assist in keeping them away from those fragile ends so your retain length and have healthier hair.

Here are five things to remember when sealing your hair:

1. Make sure that you seal in the proper order – The purpose of sealing the hair is to trap moisture in it so that your style lasts and you do not end up with dry frayed ends in two days.

The ideal order of things should be water or water based moisturizer (water is the first ingredient on the ingredient list) then oil or butter (heavy or light).

You can also try the LOC method where you add a creamy leave in conditioner after your oil.

2. Choose your oil or butter wisely – The oil of choice is really a matter of preference, however as a rule of thumb the thicker the oil the more effective the seal.

Choosing the right oil is based solely on your hair needs if you are natural with thick coarse strands then you may want to try a heavy oil or butter such as castor oil or shea butter.

Mineral oil works well for coarser hair types as well when applied to the ends.

If you are relaxed or have fine light strands then a light oil or butter may work well for your hair, for example avocado oil or a light hair dress.

3. Focus your attention on the ends – The ends of the hair are the oldest and most fragile parts of the hair so pay close attention to what you are doing as you apply your products to that portion.

If sealing is new to you spend some time focusing on what the ends of your hair feel like and look once sealed effectively. This will ensure that you always get it right every time.

4. Get to know your hair in its sealed state – this might sound a little ridiculous because obviously if you follow the basic technique of water then oil then how your hair looks and feels should be a no brainer.

This however is not true for everyone especially if you are new to sealing and how your hair should feel afterwards.

Moisture retention with an effective sealing routine should last a couple of days, your hair should clump together easily if you are natural and your hair should have a natural sheen about it is you are relaxed or natural.

The hair should also feel soft and silky smooth on day one and a few days afterwards once dry.

If your hair and ends still feel dry and frayed then you may need to take a look at your process and or products.

Additionally make sure your ends are not damaged, the only thing that will fix damaged ends is a good trim, only then will you start sealing effectively.

5. Don’t touch your hair

After you have sealed your hair allow it to dry un-manipulated so that the moisture can settle in and the oil can work its magic.

You may choose to tuck your ends away in order to preserve moisture but if you like to wear your hair out just know that you may have to seal more often in comparison to when you may choose to wear a protective style. Either way whether you have to seal every 6 days or every 3 days the technique is all that matters.

Braid or Twist It Up

Braids or twists hold in moisture and help your hair stays soft and fairly detangled.

You don’t have to do a ton of plaits or twists, because who has that kind of time?! But, as you moisturize your hair, you can divide it into about seven or eight medium-sized sections and twist.

If you are looking to maintain a style like a twist or braid-out, you can make your nighttime twists rather loose so as not to disturb the definition too much.

If you are trying to stretch your hair in addition to maintaining moisture, plaiting or braiding is best, since the hair is more taut than it is with twisting.

Twisting can provide a decent stretch with the right technique.

Pineapple Your Hair

“Pineappling” your hair essentially means putting it up in a loose ponytail, and this style does a few things.

For one, it protects your wash-and-go curls or sets (whether you’re rocking a twist-out, braid-out, or rod set) by placing everything in the center of your head. When you take it down, the hair that was hidden and protected on the “inside” now lays on top and looks flawless.

Secondly, pulling your hair up to the top of your head and securing with a satin scrunchie gives you a bit of stretch, making for great second-, third-, or fourth-day hair!

Last but not least, your hair is likely to appear bigger after pineappling.

If you love big hair, or you’re looking to create more volume, then give it a try! Those of you with shorter hair can do multiple pineapples – two or more according to your length – for the same results.

Use a Satin Bonnet or Scarf

After setting your hair for the night with one of the above methods, use a silk or satin bonnet or scarf to prevent the hair from losing moisture or snagging on traditional cotton pillowcases.

Many like to use both a scarf and bonnet when pineappling, wrapping the scarf around the sides while protecting the exposed hair at the top with a bonnet.

Use a Satin Pillowcase

If you don’t like the feeling of anything on your head while you sleep, or you just don’t want to be bothered with any of the above steps, a satin pillowcase may be the answer for you!

You can toss and turn all you like without worrying about a bonnet slipping off while still maintaining the moisture.

Night Scalp Massages

done at night with a simple scalp massage.

Scalp massages (with or without an oil) can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, condition the scalp all the while boosting the strength of the hair roots.

Depending on your hair length and the style you’re wearing, put your hair in a low-manipulation style overnight.

1. 1. If you’re rocking a twist out or braid out, take a moment to re-braid/twist your hair before going to sleep. This will decrease frizz and keep your style looking good when you take out the braids/twists the next morning.
   2. If you’re wearing a wash n’ go, try a pineapple to protect your curls for the next day. Gather all your hair to the top of your head and secure it with a loose hair tie. This leaves your curls loose on top of your head so they won’t get crushed under your head overnight.
   3. To preserve a stretched style, tie your hair in loose, chunky twists/braids, buns, or bantu knots under a scarf.

There you have it, How To Take Care Of Short Natural Hair At Night

How do you care for your short natural hair at night?

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