The Harvard doctor says it’s easy to get into the habit, but doing so may lead to serious damage
A doctor has claimed that people should stop sleeping with wet hair as it may lead to baldness. It might take time to become noticeable, but anyone who does this regularly has been warned that it could lead to thinner and weaker hair, as well as other problems.
Dr Saurabh Sethi is known for sharing his medical experience and knowledge with 1.1 million Instagram followers, reports What’s The Jam. The 42-year-old has issued an urgent warning for people who go to bed with wet hair – as it could cause hair to fall off, he says.
He explained his reasons in a clip, which has racked up 150,000 views on TikTok. “It might seem harmless, but sleeping with wet hair can actually mess with both your scalp and strands,” he said.
The doctor, who graduated from Harvard University, said that a damp scalp creates the perfect environment for fungi and bacteria, leading to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, which causes itching and flaking. Dr Sethi added: “Wet hair is weaker. Tossing in your sleep puts stress on it, causing breakage, frizz and even thinning over time.”
To combat this, he urges people to take the time to dry their hair before going to sleep, even if it’s a quick blow-dry. The doctor stressed: “It can make the biggest difference to your hair health. Don’t make this common mistake.”
People flocked to the comments to share their reactions. One said: “I always tell my son this, but he doesn’t listen. Maybe he will listen to you!”
Another added: “Yes! I used to sleep with a loose wet ponytail and my hair started to smell like mildew!” And, a third commented: “Omg I do this every time! Well, not anymore!”
He previously claimed that drinking water with one 20p fruit added daily for a month could be the “secret” to looking younger. The health expert said that the drink “packed with 30 different beneficial plant compounds” might help wipe away some signs of ageing.
On top of hair loss and breakage, you might notice that your skin is more prone to acne. Experts claim that, whilst sleeping with wet hair might not directly cause acne, it can create conditions that make acne more likely.
The Sleep Foundation reported that: “Some people caution against sleeping on a damp pillow, believing it to be an ideal environment for certain types of bacteria to thrive, potentially increasing the risk of skin problems like acne.
“A pillow that is damp or has collected residue from hair products could potentially make acne worse by creating an environment that is humid or oily, leading to clogged pores and inflammation. For these reasons, some experts suggest it is better to sleep with clean and dry hair that is pulled away from the face.”