ANDextremely pleasant to the touch, the silk cap for hair, whether curly or straight, to be worn during the hours of night rest really helps to have shinier, healthier and frizz-free hair, helping to preserve the integrity of the shafts, making them smooth and shiny. Also known as “silk bonnet”, here’s how to choose and wear it.
Silk cap for hair, what is it for?
If your hair tends to frizz and not hold its style, contact with silk at night can help. «Tossing and turning during sleep causes your hair to rub against the pillow. When the yarn the pillowcase is made from is raw cotton, it creates friction that can cause knots and tangles. Over time, these stresses weaken the stem, damaging it”, he explains Silvia Cecchinato, Sitri certified trichologist technician.
«Cotton is also absorbent, a perfect characteristic for towels that absorb water residue on the skin, but not for hair. In fact, this type of texture takes away the protective hydrolipidic substances deposited on the stem, making it dry and dehydrated. In this situation the lengths become fragile and subject to breakage over time.”
In photo: TheSilk Lady silk cap (Instagram @thesilkladysa).
Silk, on the other hand, is a naturally smoother fabric. «It creates much less friction, allowing hair to slide over the fabric instead of getting caught. It does not absorb humidity and preserves capillary hydration. Furthermore, it is able to counteract the phenomenon of electric hair rising, making it more disciplined and tidy”, explains Silvia Cecchinato. «These characteristics help prevent split ends, help reduce stress on the lengths, and keep the hairstyle intact for longer, with the curls or style remaining more defined until the morning».
Silk cap for curly hair: the benefits and correct use
The use of the silk cap requires specific routines depending on the type of hair. «To keep the curls defined for longer, preventing them from “crushing” during the night, it is important not to handle them too much: simply gather them in a very soft high ponytail on the highest part of the head, securing it at the top of the head with a soft elastic band or a silk scrunchie», explains the trichologist.
«Once the hair has been collected, the silk cap is worn to keep it protected and defined during the night, making sure that every strand remains inside the cap. In the morning, he removes the cap and gently shakes his head to make the curls “fall”. It is possible to vaporize a veil of water to revive the waves, without combing them.”
Silk cap for straight hair
The evening routine for straight hair aims to keep the style smooth, soft and tangle-free. «To prevent unwanted shapes, start by combing the hair with a wide-toothed comb, or using a brush with a soft bristle brush», explains Silvia Cecchinato.
«At this point, if the hair is very long, a large braid is made, while in the case of medium lengths the hair is gathered in a low ponytail to be secured with a soft elastic or a silk scrunchie».
«As soon as you wake up, carefully remove the cap and free the lengths by untying the large braid, or by removing the accessory chosen to secure the lengths. After combing your hair, you can apply a few drops of nourishing oil to shine the ends.”