A woman with curly hair looks surprised.

Hair Breakage (or Frizz)? Your Bedding Might Be to Blame!

We’re all used to the frizzy hair-warm weather combo. It’s something that just can’t be avoided. But what about the frizz that persists all year round? Where is that coming from?

The answer might surprise you.

If you’re in the dark about your hair breakage, no need to fret. We’re here to help. Keep reading to find out the answers and solutions for hair breakage and frizz!

What is frizzy hair anyways? 

Some people have naturally frizzy hair, especially those with curly hair. However, typical frizz is due to damaged, dry, or brittle hair that needs a bit of TLC.

Each hair strand on your scalp is made up of little shingles that protect your hair from environmental stressors. A healthy cuticle lays down smoothly. Your scalp produces natural oils that moisturize those little shingles that allow for a happy, healthy, smooth cuticle. [1,2,3]

When hair is dry or damaged, however, the cuticle becomes open, rough, and almost prickly (like a pine cone). Thus, frizzy hair is born. [1,2,3]

A woman is scratching her head.

The Cause

Some common causes of hair breakage and frizz are: [2]

  • Harsh hair products 
  • Heat styling
  • Humidity 
  • Washing in very hot water
  • Over washing
  • Towel-drying 
  • Lack of moisture
  • Unhealthy diet
  • A lack of regular haircuts
  • Tight hairstyles
  • Stress
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Eating disorders
    • Your bedding (particularly pillowcases and sheets) 

    Yep. Your pillowcases and sheets might be doing you a disservice when it comes to silky-smooth hair maintenance.

    How can my bedding cause hair breakage?

    We’re so glad you asked! 

    It all boils down to fabric types, and cotton is the biggest bad-hair culprit. When it comes to protecting your hair, cotton is not your buddy. 

    Traditional pillowcases and sheets are typically made from cotton fibers or cotton blends because they are cheap, but most don’t realize that cotton production requires an excessive amount of water, energy, and chemicals. Not only that, but cotton adores soaking up any sort of liquid substance. Because of this feature, cotton sheets and pillowcases mean more icky, gross buildup and more trips to the washing machine. 

    So, cotton isn’t mindful, it’s harsh on your skin and hair, AND it’s taking up more of your time because it has to be cleaned more often. Yeah—we say, “no thanks.”

    What does this have to do with your hair? 

    First, cotton absorbs a lot of excess moisture. So much so, it could potentially be dehydrating your hair of its natural oils that are essential for strong, long, silky locks with lots of bounce and shine. Dull, brittle, and damaged hair can be a result of cotton’s excessive absorption.

    Also, cotton fibers are rough, causing unnecessary hair manipulation from friction. As you sleep, your hair rubs and pulls against these rough cotton fibers, resulting in knots, tangles, and damage. What else can the roughness of these fibers lead to?

    • Snarled hair from friction takes longer to style. When you go to brush your hair after a good snooze, you may find yourself yanking on your roots to try and detangle those pesky knots. Not only can this cause breakage, but hair fall, too. 
    • Split ends.
    • Frizz.
    • A daily case of the “bedhead” blues. 
    A close-up look of some fabric.

    The Solution

    Bamboo viscose. 

    When your stuffy cotton bedding is keeping you up at night and you’re waking up with knots, tangles, split ends, and the infamous frizz, it’s definitely time to switch to bamboo viscose sheets and luxe pillowcases

    Why is bamboo viscose better for your hair than cotton bedding? 

    • Bamboo viscose is ultra-soft and super smooth: Breathable, lightweight, and oh-so-soft, bamboo viscose bedding is much softer than cotton. Unlike cotton fibers, bamboo viscose blends have smooth, rounded fibers that protect against hair tugging and pulling. That means instead of rough hair manipulation due to friction, you get the perfect silky surface for your hair to glide over while you toss and turn at night.
    • Bamboo viscose is hypoallergenic: Fabrics made from bamboo viscose can naturally ward off common household non-living allergens. What does this mean for your hair? No more icky, gross build-up of irritants and other unwelcome guests that can compromise your hair and scalp health. This is also great for prolonging wash day and keeping your hair and scalp cleaner for longer.
    • Bamboo viscose is durable and cooling: Bamboo viscose fabrics' temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties help circulate airflow, wicking away excess body heat for a cooler sleep every time. Compared to traditional Egyptian or Pima cotton sheets that boast a high thread count at an even higher price, premium bamboo viscose blends are much stronger. This strength translates to a durable, cooling material that won’t soak up all your hair’s necessary oils and moisture during the night. 

    Bamboo viscose is versatile, mindful, and the best option for your hair at a price you’ll love. 

    Not sure where to start? We suggest investing in our Luxury Pillowcases first. Buttery-smooth and seriously soft—our Luxury Pillowcases exude indulgence, with their crisp look and light, airy feel. Cosy’s Luxury Pillowcases are part of our highest quality line and feature an even higher bamboo viscose content than our Premium line. They stay fresher 3x longer than alternate fabrics and they’re super easy to care for, too. 

    Click here to discover even more affordable luxury today!

    How do you protect your hair while you sleep? What are your favorite Cosy House products for super-silky-smooth rest? Let us know in the comments below. The Cosy community always loves hearing from each of you! 

    We've gone ahead & enclosed a 10% off coupon below for you to use if you'd like to take the plunge and try out our sheets for yourself! To shop our collection & get 10% OFF Use the code 'BLOG10' at checkout.

    A woman is pictured asleep, with the promotional code BLOG10 in all uppercase letters, no spaces, appearing on her right side.

    Resources:

    1. Watson, K. (2021, September 6). How to sleep with long hair to protect the health of your hair. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-sleep-with-long-hair#tips 
    2. Marie, S. (2021, June 3). What causes frizzy hair? We have the answers. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-causes-frizzy-hair#ways-to-tame-frizz 
    3. Cherney, K. (2022, August 31). Hair breakage: 12 possible causes and treatment. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-breakage
    eCommerce Department

    Written by eCommerce Department