Any lady or hair stylist can attest to the usefulness and importance of gel for aiding the styling of hair: holding it tight, stable, and soft to achieve a particular style and making hair shiny and beautiful. However, it is pivotal to look out for its right application as a way of curtailing its possible side effects. 

It is bad enough that most of the people who frequently use gel do not exactly put it to the right use for their hair safety. The majority are only concerned about the product that works best and leave it in their hair as long as they wish but here is the question can you sleep with gel in your hair? Let’s find out.

Is It Bad to Sleep with Gel in Your Hair?

Sleeping with gel in your hair is not bad. However, doing it regularly can cause issues. These include product build-up, very oily scalp, itching, and flaking. The gel can clog pores on the scalp. It can cause infections if left for a long time, hindering the scalp from breathing.

Also, hair gel stiffens hair to set it into a hairstyle. It keeps curls in place, reduces frizz, adds volume, and tames flyaways. This is why people with sensitive or damaged hair should be careful. The gel can strip moisture from hair that is already dry or irritate sensitive scalps. Some gels have ingredients like drying alcohol. They can make scalp issues worse and lead to hair problems.

Why You Shouldn’t Leave Gel in Your Hair Overnight

As earlier stated, its bad to leave hair gel on overnight and here are some reasons you should discontinue this practice:

1. Gel accumulation or buildup

When gel is not properly washed on time, it can contribute to an accumulation of oil and product on the scalp. This buildup consequently can degrade into potentially irritating substances that, in the case of some people, can:

  • Your scalp would be dried out.
  • Induce irritation
  • Bring on dandruff flare-ups

Hence, it critical that you do not leave gel in your hair overnight to avoid possible problems 

2. Product flakes 

Leaving gel in your hair overnight could as well result in flakes that resemble dandruff, especially if you try to restyle your hair after the gel has dried. 

3. Can lead to greasiness

Gel can be used to achieve a ‘wet look,’ which is a popular hairstyle. Allowing it to build up for too long, however, may cause your hair to appear greasy, while product build-up around the roots can make your hair heavy and difficult to style. The key word is to enhance moderation.

4. Presence of harmful ingredient

Some hair gels contain harmful and harsh ingredients such as sulfates, drying alcohols, and even triethanolamine and wearing gel for a long time could result in problems. 

These ingredients can irritate the scalp, dry out the hair, and even cause allergic reactions in some people. In this regard, when looking for a hair gel, consider products with more natural ingredients. However, without the chemicals, these gels are likely to be less effective.

5. Your hair and scalp’s current condition

Habit of making hair stay for a long time should be avoided by anyone who has a sensitive, oily, or irritated scalp. The simple reason for this is that you will be exacerbating the problem. 

A sensitive will not respond well to the chemicals in gels, and the risks may outweigh the benefits. The same is true for damaged hair. Damaged hair is frequently dehydrated, so applying hair gel frequently or making it hair stay too long will only dehydrate it further.

Does Gel Causes Hair Loss?

Not necessarily, but some of its compositions which are extremely harmful to your scalp and hair can eventually cause severe hair breakage. You are sometimes dragged towards baldness. The following are the causes damages to your hair growth:

1. Alcohol

This is an ingredient that could have a side effect on your hair; it can cause your hair to become extremely dry. Because of the extreme dryness, your hair will be prone to breakage.

2. Parabens

Many gel products contain parabens.  Preservatives are a type of chemical that is used to extend the life of a product. This is fantastic for the product, but not so great for your hair.

This habit will keep your hair from drying out and breaking. Furthermore, use natural shampoos and conditioners to maintain the health of your hair or to keep it in its natural state.

3. Silicones

Silicones present in hair gel are used to make your hair shine. While silicones may do their job well, your hair will suffer as a result. Silicones are bad for your hair because they coat the shaft and make it difficult for your hair to absorb the nutrients it requires which result in hair loss.

How to Effectively Remove Hair Gel off Your Hair 

Now, we have established that leaving gel in your hair overnight is a bad idea. It is strongly advised that you rinse it out after each use to avoid clogging the pores. Here’s how to get hair gel out of your hair the right way.

1. Wash your hair with water

Wash your hair with water to soften the gel and make it easier to remove. Do not risk taking off the gel without softening it with water first as this could cause hair breakage.

2. Message with conditioner

Take a generous amount of conditioner and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips. Make sure to rub vigorously to dislodge any stiff gel that may be clinging to the roots. Repeat until you are the hair is free of gel.

3. Finish with a cool rinse and let your hair dry

Kindly note that Conditioner, rather than shampoo, is more effective because it is slick and glides through the hair. This facilitates the removal of any hardened product, debris, or grease. Your hair will also feel smoother and shinier as a result of this treatment.

Can I Sleep with Other Hair Product?

Though it is generally bad to wear hair products overnight but there some hair products that work best while sleeping. The examples are listed below;

1. Square Silk Scarf

Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before going to bed is another hair product that could be worn while sleeping.  It will help your hair slip and slide rather than rub and fray even when you toss and turn.

2. Overnight Treatment

Biotin, argan oil, rosehip oil, algae extract, and coconut are just a few of the healthy ingredients in this formula. Before bedtime, pump one to two nickel-sized amounts into the scalp and throughout the hair from root to tip (you may want to protect your pillowcase with a towel). The gel melts into opulent oil those conditions like no other.

3. Hair Masque

This masque, formulated with hyaluronic acid, purified mushroom, Amazonian acai, and tamarind, WORKS on hair while you sleep. It hydrates, strengthens, and smooths hair beautifully. The light lavender scent is also very relaxing.

Conclusion

Based on above possible implications e.g. Gel build-up, Greasiness, Hair Flakes, the type of Hair Gel Ingredient, and the condition of your hair could pose to be major limitation of wearing hair overnight. It is better to avoid such act than dealing with the effects.

Disclosure: This article, other beauty and fashion tips on SheBegan are contributed by experienced fashion professionals, beauty & cosmetics experts. Read our full research and editorial process here. Also, our posts may contain affiliate links, read our full affiliate disclosure
Author

Abimboye Femi is an experienced Beauty Expert. Over the years, he has developed an uncanny nose for sniffing out the perfect fragrance as well as an eye for best beatification practices. He brings to bear, his vast knowledge of research to help deliver rich contents centered on Beauty and Cosmetics.

Write A Comment

Pin It