Hair extensions are very popular, but just like natural hair, they must be properly maintained. With so many different types of hair extensions being used, it's important to know how to take care of them, regardless of the type of hair and installation process. 

Hair extensions are secured for a certain length of time, which means they will remain in the hair overnight, requiring you to sleep in them. Understanding how to sleep with hair extensions can lengthen the life of the extensions while ensuring your natural hair is not affected. 

Which Types of Hair Extensions Do These Tips Apply To? 

These tips we are about to discuss apply to almost all hair extensions, including:

• Keratin hair extensions
• Micro loop extensions
• Weft hair extensions
• Wet hair extensions
• Tape in hair extensions
• Semi-permanent method
• Loose braids
• Clip ins
• Sew in method
• Keratin bonds
• Hot fusion method
• Cold fusion attachment method
• Natural hot fusion method

How Do You Sleep Comfortably Without Damaging Hair Extensions or Natural Hair?

One of the most important things to know when caring for a hair extension is how to sleep comfortably without damaging the hair attachments. Even if it’s just one night, knowing how to work with extensions makes a difference. 

9 Tips on How to Sleep With Hair Extensions:

1) Use a silk pillowcase

A Blissy Silk Pillowcase is a great idea for protecting hair when you need to sleep with hair extensions whether it’s short, mid-lengths, or long hair. Blissy is extremely soft and gentle, helps stop breaking, and is far better quality than a satin pillowcase.

2) Use a good detangling brush

A good detangling brush protects the hair without any pull on the extensions. Starting at the tips and gently brushing your hair in between the extensions will avoid knots and tangles. Brushing your hair before you go to bed helps remove buildup and tangles.

3) Protect your hair with braids

Putting your hair in a loose braid before going to sleep will help keep each extension secure and free of knots. This is also a good way to avoid tangles or stress on the hair which can cause breakage. Secure the braid with a silk scrunchie. A hair tie could cause breakage depending on the type.

4) Secure your hair in a low-positioned ponytail

A ponytail keeps your hair intact, especially if you use a silk scrunchie. If you wear a low ponytail to bed, make sure you put the ponytail in the direction opposite to how you sleep. You should also make sure to keep the ponytail loose and not too tight so it doesn't pull on your hair strands. And use the right kind of hair tie (a silk scrunchie) to lessen the tension.

5) Create two buns

Wearing your hair in buns can also help protect your hair extensions, especially if you have long hair. The goal is to avoid pulling on the extensions while ensuring your own hair strands avoid breakage.

6) Use a sleeping bonnet

These caps usually look like a shower cap but are much softer. Before putting the cap on, tie your hair into one or two buns. The best sleep caps are made of silk, like the Blissy Bonnet.

7) Tie your hair with a silk scarf

Wrapping your hair with a silk scarf is a good idea when trying to protect your hair from breaking. This is much better than a cotton scarf because cotton absorbs moisture and can cause damage. Cotton pillowcases are notorious for creating the feeling of a sweaty head, disturbing your comfort while you sleep.

8) Avoid sleeping on wet hair extensions

As a role of thumb, do not sleep in wet hair extensions, even if just one night. This will cause the hair to get tangled, which could create damage to your own hair.

9) Use a shower cap

A shower cap will help keep your hair extensions dry, so you won’t have to go to bed with wet hair. When all else fails, you can even wear a shower cap to bed.

Deep Conditioning Weft Hair Extensions (and Other Types) 

If you have human hair extensions which include weft, tape, or micro ring, you may want to condition your hair extensions while sleeping. After brushing, you want to check the extensions to make sure they are fully intact. 

Applying a hair extension-suitable conditioner to the hair and braiding it so it will stay put until morning helps you sleep comfortably while keeping your hair and the extensions healthy and shiny. Wash your hair in the morning after conditioning the hair extensions overnight when removing the braid. Do this at least once a week.

What to Do With Different Hair Extension Lengths?

If you have longer hair extensions, a braid is the best way to keep your hair out of the way. It is very easy to brush your extensions in the morning when removing the braid and your hair will probably have a nice wave. 

When you brush, always start at the tips. The last thing you want is to have the hair extension getting caught and pulled, which could detach it or cause your natural hair to come out.

If you have short hair extensions, you may not have enough hair to braid them. Tying your hair into a loose ponytail with a soft hair tie works wonders. Don't worry about details, you always want to stay away from extensive styling before going to bed.

Why Is There So Much Hype Around Silk pillowcases?

In most hair care stores, you can easily find a satin scarf, but it’s been proven that satin is not the ideal fabric for hair while sleeping. When you are sleeping with hair extensions overnight, you want a solution that will keep your hair wefts intact. 

While satin is an improvement for your hair over cotton, there really is no comparison when it comes to silk. Let’s look at why silk is lightyears better than satin. Silk is natural and allows your skin to breathe. Many people get confused because satin and silk look similar, but they don't do the same things. 

Silk feels great against the skin and keeps hair in place. It’s also hypoallergenic, so you can minimize allergy attacks and skin irritation while you sleep. 

Silk offers great benefits to your hair as well—it prevents split ends and tangles. If you’re wearing extensions, the best solution is to sleep on a quality silk pillowcase, like Blissy, to ensure there is no pulling and your hairstyle remains intact.

Why Blissy is Changing the Game

The Blissy Silk Pillowcase is a game-changer for your hair and skin. Blissy is:

• Anti-aging
• Anti-bacterial
• Bug resistant
• Hydrating
• Hypoallergenic
• Non-irritating

When it comes to your hair health, Blissy creates 43% less friction than cotton, preventing split ends, frizz, tangles, and breakage. It also promotes shiny, healthy hair. When sleeping, you get all the benefits of a cooling, moisture-wicking silk pillowcase that’s soft, comfortable, and regulates body temperature.

Treat Your Valuable Hair Extensions to the Care They Deserve

The goal is to secure and promote healthy hair growth while ensuring your extensions are damage free when going to bed. Once you have the process under control, you'll feel a lot more confident when preparing your hair and extensions for sleeping. It's all in the way you handle them, the products you use, and the type of pillowcase you use overnight.

If you're learning how to sleep with hair extensions, one of the best investments you can make is a silk pillowcase to keep your hair in great condition.