Among all the post-snooze rituals we go through, there are habits we should retire and ones we should prioritize. We often think about skincare, but what about a healthy hair sleep routine? Should we tie it up or leave it loose? An expert gives us the step-by-step via his TikTok account.

Hair up or down?

For a good night’s sleep free from any hassle, the best option is to tie up your hair. At least that’s what hairstylist and “Queer Eye” (Netflix) star, Jonathan Van Ness, advises. On his TikTok, he explains that hair gets “stuck” between the pillow and body heat throughout the night. The end result?

Upon waking up, you get the feeling of having dirty hair and feeling overheated. Additionally, your hair is rubbed against the sheets all night long, making it dry and causing it to lose its shine. As a result, the hair becomes brittle with limited growth. According to Van Ness, it’s as if the hair has been ironed. He stands firm on the issue – sleep with your hair tied up! However, his recommendation contradicts many hair professionals who advise against using hair ties, as a tightly pulled band can cause significant breakage.

Here’s how to ensure good hair protection

To avoid any mishaps, @JVN suggests the following steps:

Firstly, don’t tie your hair too tight; opt for a loose ponytail. Then, wrap the length of your hair into a bun, preferably secured with a wide satin scrunchie. Lastly, run your fingers over your scalp to release any residual tension. Indeed, a hairstyle that’s too tight can cause varying degrees of hair loss, up to and including alopecia.