Have silk satin pillowcases/bonnets made a big difference for you?

[Glitch]

My hair, seemingly out of nowhere, became pretty dry and brittle! I thought it must have been the leave-in conditioner I was trying for the past ~6 months (potential protein overload), so I stopped that and even re-started with a clarifying shampoo but nothing changed. I thought it was perhaps my hair dryer, even though I only use it on cold mode and have never had issues with it before, but stopping that changed nothing either. I oiled my hair too, and while my hair seemed back to normal, it wasn't long before it went all dry again.

I then remembered that my regular silk satin pillow cases went missing due an extreme home renovation and so I've been using a regular cotton pillow for a few months now. I've always slept with my hair open at night over a satin pillow, so basically I've now been sleeping with open hair over cotton. So I'm wondering... do silk satin pillowcases/bonnets etc. truly make this much of a difference?! My hair went from super soft to the Sahara desert. :violin:

[Mariekeeee14]

Yep, I can definitely notice a difference! My hair is way frizzier and drier with a cotton pillowcase compared to a satin one

[Glitch]

Oh wow, I've actually also been having frizz issues (whereas I never have before! Or at least, I can't recall) on top of the dryness :O
I ordered a satin pillowcase and am really looking forward to noticing any changes!

[Jools69]

I’ve been using a silk sleeping cap/bonnet for a couple of months now and noticed how soft and shiny my hair is. Also, my ends are less frizzy and dry.

[Glitch]

I’ve been using a silk sleeping cap/bonnet for a couple of months now and noticed how soft and shiny my hair is. Also, my ends are less frizzy and dry.

Thanks for sharing - makes me really think this must be what's been making my hair get like this!

[Jools69]

Thanks for sharing - makes me really think this must be what's been making my hair get like this!
You’re welcome. I wasn’t sure whether it would make a difference or not, but after doing some research and some recommendations, I bought one and have never looked back. :o

Last night, I curled my hair with my Dyson Airwrap and slept with my bonnet on with my curls stuffed loose inside. Woke up this morning to lovely curly hair, ready for work. Much more comfortable than sleeping with pincurl clips in! ;)

[foreveryours]

Yep here too. Up until earlier this year I had been sleeping with my hair over a nice soft terrycloth towel on my pillow believing it would be best for an oily head. At about this time I was reading alot from EdG about lint and hair tangling. *lightbulb* After switching to a cheap satin pillowcase from Walmart, many fewer tangles in the morning, virtually no hairs in the bedding, and no "lint" all over the bathroom floor. I haven't looked back either.

[Nox_Inber]

My physical therapist has hip length hair and she suggested a satin/silk pillowcase to me just last week. She sleeps with her hair down and she said there's way less tangles than with the cotton pillowcases.

[JasminxCat]

Silk pillowcases definitely made a difference for me. I used to toss and turn all night with my hair down on a cotton pillowcase, I can't tell you how much damage that caused

[GoddesJourney]

I have silk pillowcases that greatly reduce the amount of friction and wear and tear around the hairline where I have finer hairs, and also at the nape since my hair is usually braided and the straight up (so I sleep with the nape directly on the pillowcase. Even a few nights on cotton, though lovely, starts to show some rub wear.

[Cg]

Interesting. I haven't noticed any real difference. I do continue to use the sleep bonnet, but only because it's easier to contain the length.

[Trip]

For me definitely. When I sleep on a cotton or other pillowcase now I see the big difference in how tangled it is when I wake up

[Lesley8]

I definitely notice a difference with my satin pillowcase less tangles.

[0xalis]

I thought it did, but apparently it really doesn't.
See I don't sleep with a/the same pillow every night, and also have 3 cats that can destroy satin in 1 second flat, so I'd always just take my satin pillow case each night and lay it down before I went to sleep.
Then I got way too fatigued and lazy because life circumstances changed, I forgot my satin pillowcase for several weeks, and then it got to the point where I preferred the texture of the cotton on my face.
My hair is completely fine and pretty much exactly the same.

But for some people it's a WORLD of difference... so know which category you are in!

[Jane99]

I believe my silk pillowcase is the reason why specifically my shorter layers are actually growing now. In the old days they were split messes that would just break off and never grow and I have been fighting layers for, I swear, 10 years. They’re growing now! Or, at least, they don’t have giant terrible splits and white dots in them constantly.

I also got a satin sheet set for Christmas and since I toss and turn at night I think this is helping too.

[MusicalSpoons]

Yes, most definitely. I sleep with it bunned under a loose cap and on a satin pillowcase; I'm not aure if double protection does actually do anything but it feels better to me to have most flyaways contained, then any that do escape are okay on satin pillowcase anyway. (Maybe I'll do a test run on holiday of just the pillowcase :hmm:) my hair also retains moisture better when it's bunned rather than loose. But the difference in material is way less frizz, no fairy knots in my wispies in the morning, and my hairline wispies grow longer than they used to before satin.

[SleepyTangles]

For me a silk satin pillowcase makes a pretty heavy difference, expecially on the bleached bits.

As for polyester satin, it works fine on the hair but I find It makes me sweat a lot. In general I don't like synthetic fibers against the skin, not even in clothing.

[Bri-Chan]

To me, nothing. My hair it's just the same.

[Starbunny]

I've been wondering this as well. Glad to see a discussion around it.

[Glitch]

I've been wondering this as well. Glad to see a discussion around it.

Yes, super interesting responses/experiences! Really looking forward to seeing what a potentially big difference this could make when my satin pillowcase arrives. Will update after about a month's use or so :)

[Aunt Rapunzel]

I've been using a silk pillowcase, and I have seen a positive change. Enough so that I'm now going to try a silk sleep bonnet. We'll see how it works!

[Glitch]

I said I’d update after a month of using a silk satin pillowcase, however, it’s been a few days and my hair is already completely back to its normal self! I thought it would take at least a solid month to see my rough, tangly and dry hair get better, but here I am :O I put a bit of oil on my length while it’s damp after a wash, go to sleep on satin by the time it’s fully dry, and then enjoy for some days before repeating. It’s super soft and shiny again :cloud9: Can’t believe just how much cotton dries out my hair, absorbing all the moisture!

When I originally started caring for my hair in the beginning, I made so many changes at once that I probably didn’t realize how the satin was such an important part. The crazy thing is, this isn’t even a high quality of silk I’m using! I just grabbed this cheap piece from the local fabric store where everything is a mess (while waiting for my online order of mulberry silk) and mom sewed it into a pillowcase. It means the quality doesn’t matter, at least for me, as long as the weave of the material is slippery satin. Thanks for all the replies, was interesting learning about others’ experiences with this :flower:

I’m just sad I cut off so much hair these past months, thinking it was just too late/damage was done, when really everything could have been remedied. A future warning to anyone who may need it!

[misspriss]

I use a bonnet every night. I have curly hair and only wash/dry/style twice a week. The bonnet preserves my hair for days.

I have been shopping for a bonnet for my child today - I did a crown braid on her yesterday and she slept on it. Despite her silk pillowcase, it's all frizzed out. I think a bonnet would help, kids toss and turn a lot.

My pillowcase is silk, but my bonnet is just cheap satin - I got it from the haircare isle at my local dollar store. I like it because I can just throw it in the wash. I wash my silk pillowcases in a lingerie bag on gentle and air dry -I wash the bonnets too often for this kind of treatment, although silk dries fast.

[bparnell75]

I have put a silk pillow case over the back of my lazy boy chair so when my head rubs around on it there ill not be so many tangles. I think it has helped.

[TatsuOni]

When I started using satin pillowcases I noticed a hugh difference. Less tangles and less dry hair.

But reaching a length where the ends didn't fit on the pillow anymore I started to notice more damage to the ends. Wearing a silk or satin bonnet was almost a life changer for me and I can't be without it now :p I make my own pillowcases och sleeping bonnets by the way.

[QueenElla]

Yes 100% yes!! I ordered a silk sleep cap and satin pillowcases back in January and my hair is sooo much more manageable and I don't think it gets breakage nearly as quickly as it used to. My silk cap slips off sometimes while I'm sleeping so I'm really glad i have the pillowcases as backup.

[Deborah]

I used beautiful, slippery silk pillowcases for a few years. They were nice, but they did not make my hair any different. I think it depends on the texture of your hair.

[Allorapisma]

yes but silk is no better than satin for me

[misspriss]

I just fitting my daughter in a satin bonnet for the night. I picked up a "young girls" bonnet, but it was still too big (she's 6), so I put a little hair band on it in the front.

Mine the satin layer goes inside, like it should. I don't know if this is just a fashion accessory or poor design, hers was made to go with the shiny side outside, so the print looks funny and the seam is visible if you turn it with the shiny side on her hair. She's happy, she looks just like mommy!

[AmeerahMcswee]

I still need to purchase one. I found a satin bonnet online I will try and get soon. For some reason everything they sell where I am at is cotton

[Glitch]

I still need to purchase one. I found a satin bonnet online I will try and get soon. For some reason everything they sell where I am at is cotton

It's the same for me! :surprise: Even our Walmart wasn't helpful. I had to really go out of my way to find a fabric store here that carries satin. Was a bit shocking!

[JasminxCat]

I said I’d update after a month of using a silk satin pillowcase, however, it’s been a few days and my hair is already completely back to its normal self! I thought it would take at least a solid month to see my rough, tangly and dry hair get better, but here I am :O I put a bit of oil on my length while it’s damp after a wash, go to sleep on satin by the time it’s fully dry, and then enjoy for some days before repeating. It’s super soft and shiny again :cloud9: Can’t believe just how much cotton dries out my hair, absorbing all the moisture!

When I originally started caring for my hair in the beginning, I made so many changes at once that I probably didn’t realize how the satin was such an important part. The crazy thing is, this isn’t even a high quality of silk I’m using! I just grabbed this cheap piece from the local fabric store where everything is a mess (while waiting for my online order of mulberry silk) and mom sewed it into a pillowcase. It means the quality doesn’t matter, at least for me, as long as the weave of the material is slippery satin. Thanks for all the replies, was interesting learning about others’ experiences with this :flower:

I’m just sad I cut off so much hair these past months, thinking it was just too late/damage was done, when really everything could have been remedied. A future warning to anyone who may need it!

Quality/type of silk doesn't matter for me either. I have a "mulberry" silk pillowcase that I only paid a small amount for, so not sure about the authenticity but it works great. So does the one I had before that I only paid $5 USD

[Glitch]

Quality/type of silk doesn't matter for me either. I have a "mulberry" silk pillowcase that I only paid a small amount for, so not sure about the authenticity but it works great. So does the one I had before that I only paid $5 USD

Yeah, too bad my first experience happened to be with mulberry and so I thought it was the magical mulberry helping me, when really the satin weave itself was more than enough! The more you know :graduate:

[dianaschu]

I stopped using a silk pillowcase years ago when I thought I didn't see any difference. Maybe I should revisit it.

[Eastbound&Down]

I just fitting my daughter in a satin bonnet for the night. I picked up a "young girls" bonnet, but it was still too big (she's 6), so I put a little hair band on it in the front.

Mine the satin layer goes inside, like it should. I don't know if this is just a fashion accessory or poor design, hers was made to go with the shiny side outside, so the print looks funny and the seam is visible if you turn it with the shiny side on her hair. She's happy, she looks just like mommy!

That is so cute, I have boys and their hair is stick straight, so I'm the only wavy/wurly in the house.

[Eastbound&Down]

I'm going into town later today and going to buy a new diffuser head and grab a satin pillowcase while I'm there. I've been meaning to for actual months now but it always slips my mind. Even if it doesn't "help", it seems it can't necessarily hurt either.

[Kibrah]

I use a large square silk scarf wrapped around my head with the hair tucked in the top. It's works great and was cheap. It makes a big difference for me. If I don't my hair is a dry tangles frizzy mess in the morning. I toss and turn to much for a satin/silk pillow case to work well.

[AuroreVesperale]

I use both : a silk pillowcase and bonnet because silk is good for the skin and for the hair. It really makes a difference ! I wake up with good looking hair with less frizz than just wearing a protective hairstyle. The pillowcase only isn't enough tho, in my opinion, but it's a great start. My silk bonnet is from Lily silk and it's great, affordable and you can choose between different colors (really important for me haha).

[secret soup]

I use a large square silk scarf wrapped around my head with the hair tucked in the top. It's works great and was cheap. It makes a big difference for me. If I don't my hair is a dry tangles frizzy mess in the morning. I toss and turn to much for a satin/silk pillow case to work well.

I just started doing this a few days ago! So far it seems to be working well, except it's tricky to tie the scarf in a way so that it stays intact during my tossing and turning but also isn't too tight. I have two scarves that I rotate during the week (and wash several times), and they were cheaper than multiple bonnets or pillowcases (even if I made them myself).

I must have cotton against my face, so I can't do the silk pillowcases. And my scarves are so thin that my scalp doesn't get sweaty and aggravate my yeast issues--most bonnets are too thick and wouldn't let my scalp breathe.

Edited to add: I must do the silk as I can't do protective updos because my scalp is incredibly tender and sensitive, and my hair is very fine. It's also only shoulder length.:violin:

[Kathie]

I have 2 satin and 1 silk pillow case (I've been using them for years). I like them. I can't say I have really seen a difference while using them. But I keep using them because 1) theoretically they are doing something, 2) they feel nice on my skin, 3) they are also suppose to be good for preventing wrinkles.

[Bat]

I've never noticed a difference tbh, but I do like sleeping on them

[Hedwig]

My silk pillowcase hasn't made much (if any) of a difference to me but I think it'd cute so I'm holding onto it.

[Kibrah]

I just started doing this a few days ago! So far it seems to be working well, except it's tricky to tie the scarf in a way so that it stays intact during my tossing and turning but also isn't too tight. I have two scarves that I rotate during the week (and wash several times), and they were cheaper than multiple bonnets or pillowcases (even if I made them myself).

I must have cotton against my face, so I can't do the silk pillowcases. And my scarves are so thin that my scalp doesn't get sweaty and aggravate my yeast issues--most bonnets are too thick and wouldn't let my scalp breathe.

Edited to add: I must do the silk as I can't do protective updos because my scalp is incredibly tender and sensitive, and my hair is very fine. It's also only shoulder length.:violin:

It does come off sometimes. It is a bit tricky. I am still playing with how I tie it.

[Glitch]

I must have cotton against my face, so I can't do the silk pillowcases.

I feel you! I can't have satin against my face either (I actually forced myself to learn to sleep on my back... was not fun! But I should be sleeping on my back anyway for my breathing issues, so I had a strong incentive). So annoying!

In other news, I've been trying out very loose side bun styles as I sleep over the satin, since when I sleep with my hair loose, the ends end up on my cotton bed sheet and can become a bit dry. Man, my hair is so reactive, it drives me wild. Working hard out here :patrol:

[cinamio]

I use a satin pillowcase, and I have noticed that my hair isn’t as dry. I’ve been using it for years now, so I can’t sleep when my face is against cotton.

I also have a bonnet-like cap that I use on my freshly styled hair. On those days, I don’t braid/bun my hair, so they retain their curl and don’t frizz.

[ravenheather]

I'm loving my silk bonnet and pillowcase. My hair is so much smoother.

[Aunt Rapunzel]

I'm starting to see the frizz becoming more tame, and the waves a little bit more defined - but I'm not JUST using a silk sleep cap. I also changed over to a curl-friendly shampoo and conditioner, and have started to use a leave-in curl cream conditioner. So I'm sure that the changes are a combined effect. But I do love that silk sleep cap!

[SunnyRose]

My hair is on the fine side and can break easily if I'm not gentle with it. I have definitely noticed a difference sleeping with my hair a silk bonnet! My hair feels and looks smooth and I feel like I get less breakage. Rather than rubbing on a cotton pillow case, my hair is contained within a smooth fabric. In my opinion, silk or satin pillowcases and bonnets are definitely worth it.

Edit: Also, I suggest checking out Etsy for a hand made bonnet or pillowcase. I found my bonnet there and it's really great quality with an adjustable brim and is double lined with two different colors.

[Arciela]

Mine makes a huge difference. I notice when I use cotton pillowcases my hair gets dry and such so I make sure to always use my silk case :flower:

[blessed_momma21]

Omg YES! I notice a HUGE difference when I don’t use my satin/silk pillowcase at night… my hair immediately gets so dry and frizzy! I attribute the pillowcase to the minimal frizz in my hair along with sleeping in a braid every night.

[Miss Thyme]

I thought everyone was exaggerating to some extent with the benefits of silk, and then the other day I got my silk braid protector in the mail... My braid the morning after looks newly braided, and after that first night I could almost swear my braid tassel was softer than the day before!

[Glitch]

I thought everyone was exaggerating to some extent with the benefits of silk, and then the other day I got my silk braid protector in the mail... My braid the morning after looks newly braided, and after that first night I could almost swear my braid tassel was softer than the day before!

That's what I thought too at first! But here I am now, so attached to the silky magic that I'll even be taking it with me wherever I travel to in the future :p

[KokoroDragon]

I've only had a silk bonnet for a few weeks, but it already makes such a huge difference! I wear my hair loose in it, and wake up in the morning with almost perfect hair. I've gone days without needing to detangle. It's amazing!

[Miss Thyme]

Oh! I forgot to mention that sleeping with my braid encased in silk has significantly reduced the amount of lint in my hair, compared to sleeping on cotton! My comb is so much cleaner now :)

[FallingDarkness]

Hey, hate to hijack this thread - but my silk cap keeps falling off during the night, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend me brands to help keep it on?

[KokoroDragon]

Hey, hate to hijack this thread - but my silk cap keeps falling off during the night, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend me brands to help keep it on?

I chose one with a stretchy cotton band, since I suspected I would have this problem with anything else. I usually pull mine down over my eyes, it stays in place well there. If your band is too loose, could you safety pin it tighter?

[Ashtaroth]

Hey, hate to hijack this thread - but my silk cap keeps falling off during the night, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend me brands to help keep it on?

I got mine on etsy and it has a built in stretchy headband around the perimeter with tails that I can tie to adjust the tension.

[misspriss]

Hey, hate to hijack this thread - but my silk cap keeps falling off during the night, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend me brands to help keep it on?

If you are even a little handy with a needle and thread it is super easy to take it up a little.

I couldn't find a suitable child sized bonnet for my daughter, so I just took a 1" fold (to make a 2" reduction) in the band on one of mine and sewed it off. I should have taken up a little more, it's a bit loose - but it works.

[Lainey]

I was wondering if a silky feel polyester would work for a sleep cap? Perhaps it might generate static though. I have some leftover material and thought I might try making one. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[TatsuOni]

I was wondering if a silky feel polyester would work for a sleep cap? Perhaps it might generate static though. I have some leftover material and thought I might try making one. Any thoughts? Thanks.

I've made one and it's not better or worse than the one that I made from actual silk.

[Lainey]

I've made one and it's not better or worse than the one that I made from actual silk.

Thank you, TatsuOni...I’ll get started on making it this weekend.

[misspriss]

I was wondering if a silky feel polyester would work for a sleep cap? Perhaps it might generate static though. I have some leftover material and thought I might try making one. Any thoughts? Thanks.

All of mine are polyester satin. I like the washabiity. No static issues.

[Lainey]

All of mine are polyester satin. I like the washabiity. No static issues.

Thank you misspriss.

[Miss Thyme]

I just got my first silk pillowcase! I haven't had a full night's sleep on it yet, so time shall tell what difference it does for my scalp hair (as my lengths are braided and encased in a silk sheath at night.) I did take a nap on it earlier today and it felt absolutely luxurious, so the money was well spent either way! :o

[MoonLady]

Oh my, satin bonnets every night have made a world of a difference to me. Dryness is reduced and my hair stays moisturized between wash days without having to apply oil or serum daily like in the past. I have way less splits and small pieces of breakage. I actually used to wake up with short little breakage on my pillow and see it all across the bathroom table if I combed or blow dried. No more. My hair even holds onto the scent of conditioner longer, which I love because I can't really wear perfume. I also literally style my hair with a bonnet! I just put it in there in a specific way and end up with the ends slightly curled inwards. My no heat blowout!

[Lainey]

Just some feedback. I settled for a silk and polyester mix scarf made into a pillowcase, as that what what I had available. After one night, yes, just one, my shoulder length hair was much easier to comb. I’ll check back in after a few months. Thanks, all.

[Lady Stardust]

Just some feedback. I settled for a silk and polyester mix scarf made into a pillowcase, as that what what I had available. After one night, yes, just one, my shoulder length hair was much easier to comb. I’ll check back in after a few months. Thanks, all.

This is so good to hear :)

It only took one night for me too! I use a satin sleep cap (and a pillowcase in case it comes off or I get too hot). I thought it would make my hair static but no.

I used a silk scarf over my pillow for ages but it wasn’t as effective as shiny satin.

[Lainey]

This is so good to hear :)

It only took one night for me too! I use a satin sleep cap (and a pillowcase in case it comes off or I get too hot). I thought it would make my hair static but no.

I used a silk scarf over my pillow for ages but it wasn’t as effective as shiny satin.

Thanks for that Lady Stardust, I’ll bear a satin option in mind for future experimentation. I’m thankful for this new hair saving discovery as my hair can get a bit ‘snappy’ with me when I’m combing it in the morning.

[Glitch]

This is so good to hear :)

It only took one night for me too! I use a satin sleep cap (and a pillowcase in case it comes off or I get too hot). I thought it would make my hair static but no.

I used a silk scarf over my pillow for ages but it wasn’t as effective as shiny satin.


Thanks for that Lady Stardust, I’ll bear a satin option in mind for future experimentation. I’m thankful for this new hair saving discovery as my hair can get a bit ‘snappy’ with me when I’m combing it in the morning.

I'm so happy for you!! I found the same difference in my hair with this :) I also found that polyester satin has the same effect on my hair as silk satin, by the way. And the shinier the satin, the better.

Super excited for both of us, and long term silky impacts :p