Silk pillowcases are a great way to keep your curls protected from breakage and frizz. They're made from a natural material that's smooth and gentle on even the most delicate of hair types—and they'll help keep your curls smooth and shiny all day long.
Less friction, less frizz – Because it's so smooth, silk doesn't cause much friction for your delicate strands of hair. No matter your hair type, this can be a vital tool for stopping bedhead and helping to prevent hair loss that can often come with friction.
Silk will typically last longer because it's higher quality. If you with satin because it better aligns with your budget, it's still a huge upgrade from a cotton pillowcase. And if you're really concerned about the slight loss of moisture, Onuoha suggests giving your curls a quick oil treatment.
While both silk or satin are better for hair than regular cotton, silk is generally considered the better material of the two.
Silk fades in the sun
As such, silk is prone to fading when exposed to direct sunlight, either indoors or outside. Even this best silk bedding will fade if left in direct sunlight. This is why we recommend always hanging your silk to dry away from the sun.
Satin – a vegan-friendly alternative to silk – is naturally cool against your skin, and will not absorb your hair and skin's natural moisture like a standard cotton pillowcase. Using a satin pillowcase promotes healthy hair by allowing it to retain your hair's natural oils, reducing dryness, breakage and tangles.
Silk: A silk pillowcase is the ideal choice for anyone with fine or thin hair. Silk is a natural, protein-based fiber that is gentle on fine and thin hair while helping hair and scalp retain natural moisture.
Curly hair and wavy hair tend to get a lot more frizzier when compared to straight hair. Your hair type is determined by the shape of your hair follicle. If you have a rounded follicle, your hair grows straight. If you have flat hair follicles, your hair type becomes wavy or curly, making it more prone to frizz.
“For dry, frizzy hair silk pillows are beneficial as silk retains moisture and reduces frizz.” So you can wake up looking flawless like in the movies.
Plus, when you move during your sleep, your moisture-deprived hair rubs against the cotton fibres of your pillow, causing a lot of friction. This in turn can make your hair frizzy and more prone to damage and breakage.
Is it better to use a bonnet or silk pillowcase? It all comes down to what area of your beauty routine you are looking for the most improvement. The silk pillowcase is going to have more benefits for your skin, and the silk cap will focus more on improving your hair's health.
Tips for Washing Silk Pillowcases
Do not use fabric softeners, as these products leave a residue on the fibers and can actually make the fabric less "silky." When drying wet pillowcases by hand, never wring them. Instead, press them against a dry towel to remove excess moisture.
Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
A good rule of thumb is if the pillowcase is priced less than $20, it is not 100 percent silk, but some other material or very low-quality silk. Silk is an all-natural fiber and more expensive than man-made fabrics like satin and polyester. Don't settle for anything less than a 100 percent natural silk pillowcase.
Because it is produced naturally, Mulberry silk is more refined than other types of silk as it is made up of individual long fibers, which also aids to give it its luminous white color. In fact, 100% Mulberry silk is so desirable, not only because they are high quality, but they are also significantly durable.
Bamboo is gentle on the skin and hair
Say good bye wrinkles, frizzy hair, tangles, and bedhead! Bamboo's smooth surface means less friction and tugging on the skin and hair.
Bamboo sheets naturally wick moisture away, keeping your sheets fresh for longer. They're ideal for those with sensitive skin or who have allergies. While natural silk does have certain hypoallergenic characteristics, these properties become less effective the longer the sheets are worn.
When comparing bamboo lyocell Vs silk, the majority of the main points of bamboo Vs silk can also be applied. While both are silky smooth – bamboo will last longer, get softer with time, wash well and provide hypoallergenic, antibacterial properties while you sleep.
Less Hair Damage and Frizz
The benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase are most pronounced for hair, experts say, because the smooth surface reduces friction and thus breakage.
Sleeping on a satin pillowcase helps smooth frizzy hair and minimizes static. The softness of both silk and satin eliminate the friction you get when your hair rubs against a harsher fabric. Another added benefit is that silk and satin help keep your hairdo looking fresher and less “slept on” in the morning.
Satins made from softer natural fibers, such as silk, are much less wrinkle resistant but are also much more luxurious.