Sleeping Hairstyles That Avoid Tension

The pineapple gathers hair at the top of the head so it stays off the pillow. It suits curly and wavy hair best, because it keeps curl patterns stacked instead of crushed.

1. Lean forward so your hair falls toward the floor.
2. Gather everything at the crown, higher than you would for an everyday ponytail but not at the very top of the head.
3. Wrap a soft scrunchie once. A single loop is enough. If the hair slides out, add a second loop, but not a third.
4. Fluff the ends so they are not folded under the scrunchie.
5. Cover with a roomy bonnet or sleep on a smooth pillowcase.

The usual mistake is pulling the scrunchie tight to make it feel secure. A tight pineapple pulls on the crown all night. If it keeps slipping, use a slightly larger scrunchie rather than a tighter wrap. See night routine for curly hair for how this fits into a full routine.

One loose braid is the default for long straight or wavy hair. It keeps strands together so they cannot wrap around each other as you turn.

1. Gather hair at the nape, not at the crown, so the braid lies along your back and not under your head.
2. Braid with a relaxed grip. You should be able to see small gaps between the sections near the top.
3. Stop a couple of inches before the ends if that feels more comfortable, and fasten with a soft scrunchie.
4. Check by tugging gently at the scalp. If you feel any pull at the hairline, redo it looser.

Common mistakes are braiding tight against the scalp, which pulls on the roots, and braiding when the hair is very wet, which leaves a crimped pattern as it dries. A loose braid is also a good option if you sleep on your back and do not want a lump under your head. See night routine for straight hair for the surrounding steps.

Large, loose twists keep coils separated and are the usual choice for coily hair. Work in four to six sections and keep each one wide enough that it does not pull at the scalp.

Twist size	What to expect
Few, large sections	Least tension; the easiest to sleep on
Many small sections	Looks neat, but each root takes pull
Twists wrapped into a bun	Can press on the pillow; keep it low and loose

Twist from the roots only as tightly as feels comfortable, and let the ends go free. If you moisturize before twisting, use a small amount so the twists do not slip apart in the night.

Cover the twists with a large, adjustable bonnet so that they are not squeezed flat. See night routine for coily hair for the full routine and bonnet suggestions, and bonnet sizing and fit if the bonnet feels small.

Leave hair down when it is short, or when any style feels tight. Hair down means nothing is gathered, so nothing can pull. The trade-off is that loose, long hair can tangle against the pillow.

Use this to decide:

Hair length	Suggested choice
Chin length or shorter	Down, with a bonnet or satin pillowcase
Shoulder length	Down or a very loose low braid
Past the shoulders, straight or wavy	Loose braid
Past the shoulders, curly	Loose pineapple
Coily, any length	Large loose twists or a loose pineapple

If you leave hair down, a bonnet or a smooth pillowcase is what keeps friction low. A bonnet that fits well also keeps hair off your face. For options, see best satin bonnets. If your hair is down and you still wake up tangled, switch to the braid before you add more products.

Choose a soft, wide scrunchie with a gentle band, and wrap it loosely. Thin elastics, metal joins, and claw clips concentrate the pull in a small spot.

Published options from the brands:

• Kitsch Satin Sleep Scrunchies: $10 for five in black. Kitsch describes them as satin scrunchies that will not crimp or agitate strands overnight.
• Kitsch Satin Pillow Scrunchies: $25 for four. Kitsch describes them as plush satin scrunchies gentle enough to sleep in, meant to hold longer and textured styles without tugging or creasing.
• Slip Skinny Scrunchies: $51 for six, in 100% silk. Slip describes them as anti-crease and anti-breakage.
• Tele Ties Large Silk Scrunchies: $29.99 for three, with an inner coil that Tele Ties says holds without slipping.

The clear pick for a nightly habit is the lowest-priced set, because you will want several and can swap them. Move up to the plush or silk options if you have a lot of hair or want a specific look. See best sleep scrunchies and satin scrunchies for sleeping.

Check in the morning. These are the signs a style was too tight:

• A tender scalp, especially along the hairline or at the crown.
• A headache that appears when you take the style out.
• A groove or dent in the hair where the scrunchie sat.
• Small bumps or soreness around the roots.
• Hair that feels stretched or looks pulled straight.

What to change:

1. Loosen the style or switch to one with fewer pull points, such as a single large braid.
2. Replace the tie with a wider, softer scrunchie.
3. Move the gather point a little each night.
4. Leave hair down for a few nights and note whether the sign goes away.

If tenderness continues even with hair down, it is no longer a styling question, and a professional is the right person to ask. For a fuller routine, see sleep hair protection guide.