The Benefits of Using a Silk Pillowcase

High-quality sleep is incredibly important. The effects of bad sleep will seep into your everyday life, causing increased irritability, a lower attention span, and difficulty focusing – not to mention all the long-term effects like worsening mental health and the increased chance of a chronic health problem. Sleep also has a significant effect on your appearance; a lack of sleep can lead to dull, dry skin, and the material you sleep on can even change the quality of your hair.

One way to improve your sleep is to invest in high-quality bedding, and a product that many people have raved about in recent years is silk pillowcases. So, is it just a fad, or does sleeping on silk make a genuinely positive impact on your life? Are silk pillowcases good for hair? Learn everything you need to know about silk pillowcase hair benefits (as well as other advantages) right here.

About Silk Pillowcases

A silk pillowcase is exactly as it sounds – a pillowcase made from silk. Silk is produced by silkworms, often coming from mulberry silkworm cocoons, and is a natural protein fibre known for its soft, shiny texture. It’s a much-loved fabric because of its lightweight feel and breathability, and it can be used to create a wide range of clothing.

Silk pillowcases have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people promoting their benefits. Before going into why, it’s important to note there are several different types of silk pillowcases:

Silk Grade: Silk gets graded from A to C, with A offering the highest quality of silk and C providing a lower quality silk. Naturally, grade A silk comes with a higher price tag.

Momme: When referring to silk, momme refers to the thread count. A higher momme measurement means more silk strands, and a lower means fewer silk strands. While a higher momme count is higher quality, that doesn’t always mean better for silk cases – a 19 momme or 22 momme silk pillowcase would work better than 25 momme, as 25 would be too heavy.

Size: Finally, there’s a difference in sizes. Some silk pillowcases will only fit larger pillows, for instance. The average standard silk pillowcase is 20 x 26 inches.

The 10 Benefits of Using a Silk Pillowcase

You have likely heard that using a silk pillowcase is a good idea, but you might wonder why. These ten benefits may have you running to the store to purchase your first silk pillowcase.

1. It Stops a Bad Hair Day

Silk pillowcases for hair are particularly popular. When you sleep, your hair gets tangled and knotty, especially if you have finer hair or move around a lot during the night. This can be exacerbated by your pillow’s material. A silk pillowcase does not cause as much tangling compared to a cotton pillow, meaning you are more likely to enjoy a good hair day when using one.

2. It Prevents Hair Breakage

Most people dream of healthy hair without any split ends. Other pillowcases often lead to breakage, whereas the softness of silk pillowcases prevents breakage, which makes it easier to grow long, flowing hair. After using a silk pillowcase for a while, you will notice fewer split ends.

Struggling with hair loss? Click here for a good hair loss treatment.

3. It is Hypoallergenic

If you have allergies, silk is one of the best materials to invest in, as it’s 100% hypoallergenic. You don’t have to worry about any irritation during the night when you use one, especially if you have psoriasis or eczema.

4. It Can Reduce Lines and Wrinkles

Yes – silk pillowcases and hair go hand in hand, but they are also great for the skin! Silk pillowcases can reduce lines and wrinkles due to the smoother surface, which means sleep lines are less likely to form. With a silk pillowcase, you can truly get some beauty sleep.

5. Silk is Not Absorbent

One of the biggest problems with cotton pillowcases is the fact they absorb a lot of moisture, including your face creams and oils. Silk pillowcases do not do that as they are moisture-wicking, which means they stay cleaner for longer and help you maintain healthier hair and skin.

6. It Keeps You Cool

Did you know being on the cool side can help with higher-quality sleep? [1] It’s true, and a silk pillowcase can help with that. Silk pillowcases are better when it comes to heat control, letting you get a more peaceful night of rest.

7. It Works Well for Curly Hair

Another reason you should use a silk pillowcase for hair is due to the benefits of curly locks. The reason for this is that the smooth surface reduces frizz and naturally moisturises the hair, which means you will wake up with sleeker locks, no matter how curly your natural hair is. They can also help maintain your curl pattern upon waking.

If you want to keep on top of your hair’s health, download a hair track app to monitor hair loss and growth.

8. Silk Pillowcases are Machine Washable

You might think that investing in a silk pillowcase will add greatly to your chores, but that’s not the case. Silk pillowcases are thankfully machine washable at 30 degrees, so looking after yours will be nice and easy. No need for hand washing!

9. It is Non-abrasive

Silk is non-abrasive and doesn’t cause much friction, which is especially beneficial for your hair. If you have a blowout, for example, you can expect it to last much longer when sleeping on a silk pillowcase. The non-abrasiveness also means the silk pillowcase is gentler on delicate hair, so it works well if you have finer strands.

10. Sleeping on a Silk Pillowcase Feels Luxurious

Everyone deserves a little luxury in their lives, and that is what a silk pillowcase provides. When putting your head down to sleep at the end of the day, a silk pillowcase feels amazing, and you will sleep far better because of it.

How to Find the Right Silk Pillowcase

You now know all the benefits of a silk pillowcase for hair, skin, and your overall sleep. Your next step is to find the right silk pillowcase – but where do you begin? Here are some factors to consider when shopping.

Silk Type: Start by refining by silk type, as you want a high-quality silk pillowcase. In particular, look out for mulberry silk, as this is the best.

Momme Count: Consider momme count when buying a silk pillowcase – generally, 22 momme is considered the best for a pillowcase.

Silk Purity: To make the most of the benefits of a silk pillowcase for hair, choose one that is 100% silk, avoiding pillowcases that blend with other materials.

Compatibility with Bedding: Choose a silk pillowcase that works well with the bed you already have, considering things like colour and size. For example, if you have dark bedding, choose a silk pillowcase that’s also in a darker colour, such as navy. Size is particularly essential, as you do not want to invest in a high-quality, expensive silk pillowcase only to realise it does not fit onto your pillow!

Cost: You don’t have to spend too much to enjoy the benefits of a silk pillowcase for hair. However, keep in mind the quality of a silk pillowcase will be reflected in the price tag, so it may be worth spending more.

How to Look After Your Silk Pillowcase

For your silk pillowcase to continuously benefit your hair and skin, you must look after it properly. To do this, wash it every week (or every ten days) to keep it clean. When washing, turn the pillowcase inside out and put it on a 30-degree wash using a mild detergent made specifically for silk. Never put your silk pillowcase in the dryer – instead, hang it up until it’s dry, preferably out of direct sunlight.

Does a Silk Pillowcase Prevent Hair Loss?

Silk pillowcases and hair work very well together, but they cannot prevent hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, or other types of alopecia – they can only prevent breakage. If you have experienced hair loss, you should find a better hair restoration option, such as a hair loss medication or a hair transplant. Your first step should be to determine the cause of the hair loss before getting started on a restoration journey.

Benefits of Silk Pillowcases: Final Thoughts

Silk pillowcases are an effective investment, boosting your skin and hair health. Not to mention the boost to your quality of sleep. Without a doubt, silk is the best material type to sleep on.

Again, though – silk pillowcases cannot aid with hair loss. If you are struggling with hair loss, get in touch with our team of hair specialists today, or head to our patients gallery for a direct look at what our services can provide. With our help, you can enjoy a permanent solution that gives you a full head of hair.

Sources:

1. https://news.uthscsa.edu/a-cold-room-not-a-warm-bath-encourages-sleep/#:~:text=That%20happens%20because%20your%20body,is%2060%E2%80%9367%20degrees%20Fahrenheit