The mulberry silk pillowcase has cemented its status as a beauty essential, celebrated for its benefits to both hair and skin. With the cooler, drier air of the season wreaking havoc on my hair—cue the static—I decided to put this luxurious alternative to the test. Swapping my everyday pillowcase for a soft mermaid-blue silk one, I set out to discover if it could tame those pesky flyaways and truly live up to its glowing reputation. Here's what I found.
The good news first: sleeping on a pure silk pillowcase is truly an unparalleled experience. Did it offer the dramatic before-and-after transformation I had hoped for my hair? Not entirely. But making the switch to silk is not without its benefits. For starters, I started noticing fewer strands littered on my bed when I woke up in the morning. The usual detangling routine that monopolised my mornings was reduced to a quick swish with the Tangle Teezer and voila, my hair was devoid of flyaways.
A quick chat with Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic in Mumbai, would further validate my findings. “While silk pillowcases may not have a pivotal role to play in hair loss and breakage, they can certainly offer a reprieve for those dealing with dry, frizzy hair,” she says. So, what do silk pillowcases have that their cotton or linen counterparts cannot offer? “The natural properties of silk offer less staticity to reduce friction in hair, thereby reducing hair damage and split ends. Cotton pillowcases unfortunately tend to absorb moisture, thereby alleviating dryness in the hair,” she explains.
If you are looking to dial back hair breakage as you sleep, Dr Agarwal believes that the following measures can help:
- Avoid sleeping with wet hair as the hair shaft tends to break easily in this weak state. The hydrogen bonds are more flexible in wet hair and are more susceptible to breakage. Ensure that you dry your hair adequately before sleeping.
- Stay away from tight braids or buns while sleeping. Do not use rubber or metal clasp or bands to tie the hair while sleeping as it can lead to more breakage and hair loss. When possible, sleep with your hair open or tied in a loose braid.
- Ensure that you always detangle your hair before sleeping. This will prevent the knots from getting worse as you sleep and minimise breakage as you detangle your hair in the morning.
- You can also choose to oil your scalp—not the hair shaft—before sleeping. A gentle scalp massage with your fingertips will stimulate blood circulation and provide the moisture and hydration needed for scalp health.
- For further protection, you can apply a hair repair serum or mask as per your hair type and its needs to ensure added hair nourishment and reduce hair breakage as you sleep.
Below are some silk pillowcases you can shop:
Dame Essentials Champagne Gold Pillowcase
UberSilk Blush Dreams Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Esme Luxury Brown Pure Silk Pillowcase
Bedlam Monogram Silk Pillowcase
