However, remember that not all hair masks are designed to be left on your hair overnight. Some may even lead to hair breakage due to certain ingredients. Hence, getting the right information about overnight hair masks is key. This article explores the benefits of overnight hair masks, how to use them, and how often you should use them. Take a look.
1. Intense Moisturization
Having a layer of nutrients from the roots to the tips overnight gives a lot of time to your hair to absorb all the nutrients and deep moisturization. The overnight hair mask ingredients are said to coat the hair follicles and retain the moisture inside the hair to offer improved shine.
2. Frizz Control
An overnight hair mask helps in improving the texture of your hair. It helps in keeping your hair tame and frizz-free. Applying any moisturizing mask helps your hair adhere to its natural flow and not get excessively frizzy. An overnight hair mask makes this adherence last for extended periods.
3. Improves Hair Health
In general, an overnight hair mask is supposed to have nutrients that your specific hair type lacks. With the help of these nutrients, the overnight hair mask will target your hair’s problems. The mask works towards making your hair healthier by giving it extra nourishment. Depending on what the main ingredient of your overnight hair mask is, it can improve your hair’s quality in different ways. For instance, an egg yolk-based mask will contain vitamin E. This antioxidant reduces hair damage (1). Vitamin E also reduces free radicals on the scalp that slow growth.
4. Reduces Tangles
Just the way conditioner makes your hair soft and tangle-free, an overnight mask also helps detangle the hair and make it easy to comb. Though applying an overnight hair mask has multiple benefits, are all of them safe for your hair? We discuss the risk factor that comes with using these hair masks in the next section.
Are Overnight Hair Masks Safe?
Hair masks are supposed to be good for your hair. However, when you keep them on overnight, you increase the chances of adverse reactions on the scalp. This may lead to hair damage. The most crucial factor is to be fully aware of the ingredients in the overnight mask. Certain ingredients can be helpful if used for a specific amount of time. If you cross that time, they can harm your hair. Read on to find out how different ingredients affect your hair, and make a hair mask choice accordingly:
1. Overnight Hair Masks With Protein
Protein is a great ingredient that helps with hair growth. However, there is a limit to it as well. Avoid using protein-rich ingredients in your overnight hair masks as it is claimed to lead to hair breakage. If your hair receives an excess of protein, but the moisture it receives is not enough, there is a considerable possibility of the hair follicles becoming brittle and causing hair fall. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. Note: Protein masks shouldn’t be used more than once every 8 weeks. When keratin protein, which is in each hair strand, is reduced, a protein mask is helpful. However, if you already have protein in your hair and add more, it will take up more space inside the hair strand and stretch it from the inside out. This creates a bulge under the cuticle, and that is when it breaks easily.
2. Overnight Hair Masks With Apple Cider Vinegar
The hair care community knows apple cider vinegar for its ability to make your hair shiny. However, apple cider vinegar has a low pH which makes it highly acidic. Keeping it on the hair for a prolonged period can strip away your hair’s protein. Additionally, exposing your scalp to any acid for a prolonged period can lead to scalp burns.
3. Overnight Hair Masks With Egg
It is best to avoid ingredients like an egg as it can impart a foul odor to your hair when you keep it on overnight. It also runs the risk of bacterial or fungal development that could occur because of the hair mask’s overnight application. It may be beneficial for the hair if used for a shorter time. Additionally, if you have an egg allergy, you should stay away from an overnight hair mask that contains eggs. Now that you know what kind of ingredients you have to stay away from in an overnight hair mask, keep reading to find out what kind of ingredients you can use on different types of hair.
Overnight Hair Mask For Dry, Frizzy Hair
If your hair is dehydrated and gets frizzy often, you must use an overnight hair mask containing moisturizing ingredients to hydrate and restore it. If you want to add moisture to your hair, two great ingredients are banana and honey. Bananas contain silica. Silica is used in many hair conditioners to reduce frizz (2). Honey is an excellent conditioning agent that adds moisture to your hair. It also contains vitamins and minerals that can further strengthen your hair (3). What You Need
1 tablespoon honey 1-2 ripe bananas
What To Do Note: Banana is very difficult to rinse from the hair. Hence, it is better to use banana water with honey. Boil the banana and the peel, strain the liquid, add honey until it is dissolved, and wait for the mask to be cool enough to be applied on the hair as an overnight mask. Read on to know what sort of ingredients you need for an overnight mask for damaged hair.
Overnight Hair Mask For Damaged Hair
If you have an outdoor work environment or style your hair often, your hair can undergo significant damage. If you take care of your hair regularly, you can stem the progress of this damage and restore your hair’s natural texture. Two primary ingredients that can help alleviate hair damage are coconut oil and aloe vera. Coconut oil has a low molecular weight and gets absorbed into the hair follicles easily. Additionally, it is integral to use coconut oil if you wish to stop protein loss from your hair (2). Aloe vera contains antioxidants, enzymes, fatty acids, and vitamins that can ensure a healthier scalp (4). What You Need
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel 2 tablespoons non-refined coconut oil
What To Do
Take the two tablespoons of coconut oil in a glass bowl and microwave it till it is warm. Add the aloe vera gel to the oil. Stir the ingredients until the consistency of the paste is uniform. Apply the paste from the scalp to the tips of your hair.
Now that you know how to make overnight hair masks, lets talk about how to apply them.
How To Use An Overnight Hair Mask
After you have selected the right kind of overnight hair mask for your hair problems, it is time to ensure that you apply it correctly.
Wash Your Hair: Wash and condition your hair like you usually do. Dry It Partially: Use a microfiber towel or a soft T-shirt to wring out the extra water from your hair. Do not use a blowdryer as your hair needs to be damp when applying the mask. Apply The Mask: Divide your hair into sections with a comb. Use clips or hair ties to keep them apart. Unclip one section and start applying the hair mask to it, starting from the roots and moving down to the tips. Repeat this process until you have applied the hair mask to all the sections of hair. Comb Your Hair: Once you have covered every inch of your hair and scalp with the overnight mask, use a wide-toothed comb to spread the mask evenly. Secure Your Hair: Put on a shower cap to keep all your hair in place. You can pin up your hair if you have long hair. Lay a towel on top of your pillow before you go to sleep to avoid staining it. Wash Your Hair: The next morning, wash your hair with plain water. Make sure you wash off the mask completely. Dry Your Hair: Dry your hair with a soft towel. Style it as usual.
So how often should you be using these masks? Read on to find out!
How Often Should You Be Using An Overnight Hair Mask?
If your hair is dry or damaged, you could benefit from using an overnight hair mask once or twice a week. While you regularly apply this mask, keep track of any scalp or hair issues that come up due to overuse or buildup on the hair from the mask. If you feel itchiness or thinning in your hair, stop using the overnight hair mask. If your hair is oily but not damaged, you do not need to use an overnight hair mask as often. Restrict use to once every two weeks. If you have been using an overnight hair mask for a few months but do not see a change in your hair texture or any damage reduction, you should consult a dermatologist. Do not try to increase the concentration of ingredients in the hair mask. Wondering what happens if the mask is left on for too long in your hair? Find out below!
What Happens If You Leave A Hair Mask On Too Long?
When you use an overnight hair mask that you bought off the shelf, you should make sure you use it as per the directions for use. Keeping it on for too long can potentially make your hair brittle and susceptible to breakage. If you make the overnight hair mask at home, make sure to use mild ingredients and not keep it on longer than overnight. Can I leave castor oil in my hair overnight? Discover what these beneficial ingredients are and what they can do for your tresses by checking out the infographic below. Depending on your hair type and needs, you may do that. Castor oil is low on the comedogenic scale, so it won’t clog your pore if left overnight in the hair. You can apply it for long hours if you have dry hair and need extra nourishment.
