How to Sleep with Cornrows

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Cornrows are one of the coolest ways to style your hair. Whether it’s for an event or just a fashion statement, this style is a must-have in your bucket list. Naturally, you would want your cornrows to last for up to a month or more. It takes more than an hour to make them so it can be heartbreaking if you wake up the next day with your hairstyle ruined. You can prevent this from happening if you know the proper way to sleep with braids on.

How to Sleep with Cornrows? Cover your braids with a bonnet, scarf, or bandana. Use satin, silk, or other non-absorbent fabrics as a hair wrap to prevent frizz and keep your hair’s moisture intact. Stay away from cotton-made materials because it can absorb your hair’s natural oils and cause dryness and breakage.

Wrapping your hair should be a nightly habit so you can maintain your cornrows damage-free for as long as possible.

Cornrows

How to Sleep with Cornrows – Maintenance Tips

Before you dive right into your bed, remember that wrapping your hair in a silk scarf is not enough. You also need to apply essential oils or a leave-in to make sure your hair is well-moisturized. The usual recommendation is to use hair products every few days or 2-3 times per week.

After this, you can start covering your cornrows with your preferred hair wrap. To do this, first, tie a silk scarf around your head. Then tie a knot at the foot of your hairline or the nape of your neck. If your hair is too long, you can put it in a bun but make sure it’s not too tight to avoid ruining your braids. Avoid using pins to the cornrows because it will loosen the hair at the scalp.

Silk or Satin Bonnet

Wrapping your hair can be time-consuming at first, but you will pick up speed, eventually. A more natural way to do this is to buy a silk or satin bonnet with adjustable drawstrings. For men, a silky durag can be an excellent wrap for protecting your cornrowed hair at night.

How Do You Take Care of Cornrows?

Proper care for your hair is essential. Hair plays a vital role in your body’s health and overall appearance. Women use cornrows and other braids to help protect their hair from breakage and lessen maintenance time. However, lack of knowledge in doing these hairstyles lead to further hair damage and longer hours of hair care. Here are great ways to take care of those lovely cornrows and other braid styles:

1. Choose the Right Hair Products.

Daily care is needed to keep your cornrows beautiful and well-maintained. That being said, you should choose the right products that will provide maximum benefits to your crowning glory. Here are the products that you should definitely include in your hair care routine:

  • Shampoo and Conditioner
    Shampooing your hair is easy, but it’s a different story when it comes to cornrows. You don’t just grab any shampoo bottle and apply it to your hair. You need to choose a mild or sulfate-free shampoo for your beautiful braids. Mix a quarter cup of shampoo with warm water and two tablespoons of olive or coconut oil in a spray bottle. After shampooing, use a protein-based conditioner mixed with argan or almond oil and water. Note that the measurements may vary depending on how long your hair is. You should also spray or press the products gently into the hair and avoid rubbing as this will cause frizziness and damage.
  • Leave-In Conditioner
    This is a definite must-have in your hair care list, especially when wearing cornrows. Leave-in conditioners help lock in your hair’s natural moisture and protect hair from damage. Choose the one that satisfies your hair type most and mix it with olive oil and water.

    Check out Arvazallia Leave-in Treatment and Conditioner (view on Amazon). This product contains Argan Oil for hydrated, moisturized, and manageable hair. This high-quality leave-in product helps protect your hair from frizz and damage.
  • Essential Oils
    Oils are not just used for mixing with shampoos and conditioners. You can also apply them directly to your hair and scalp. Remember that the goal is to keep your hair’s moisture intact; that is why essential oils should be in your hair care list. Here are some of the best oils you can apply to your braids as needed: peppermint oil, olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil, orange oil, tea tree oil, and thyme oil. These products also promote hair growth and protect your hair from damage. Remember to rub each cornrow evenly, especially if you have a dry scalp.

    If you want to try different oils to find out what fits your hair, check out Lagunamoon Essential Oils Top 6 Gift Set (view on Amazon). It contains six kinds of essential oils perfect for hair care. These oils are also used for aromatherapy, air freshening, massage, vaporization, chakra balancing, baths, and skincare.

2. Proper Maintenance

Woman with Cornrows

Caring for your braided hair does not end in choosing the right products. You should also maintain healthy hair habits and avoid activities that can ruin your beautiful braids. Wash your hair once a week to keep it clean and free from product buildup. Aside from washing your hair, make sure to clean your hair more frequently. It means you have to clean your hair without actually washing it. You can try using witch hazel oil to clean your hair, remove product buildup, and relieve scalp itchiness.

It is also essential to visit your stylist in case your braids feel too tight or if you have any concerns about your cornrows. As mentioned, proper care at night is also crucial for long-lasting braids. Make sure to choose the right hair wrap, head-wrap, bonnet, or scarf to cover up your cornrows as you sleep. If you have no time to do this, you can also buy a pillowcase made of satin or silk.

Try out this Stay On Satin Pocket Bonnet (view on Amazon). It’s a high-quality product that stays on all night and prevents hair breakage. It is made from a two-sided fabric that is soft on the inside and satiny smooth on the outside.

Let’s go over some of the most frequent questions about cornrows.

How to Shower With Cornrows

You need to wash your hair every 6 or 7 days. To do this, run your head under warm water to wash away the initial dirt out of your hair. Spray or massage your hair and scalp your shampoo solution to get rid of product buildup. Wash your hair thoroughly for about 5 minutes and spray evenly with conditioner after.

Once done, cover your head with a shower cap and wait for another 20 minutes. Remove your shower cap and rinse off the conditioner with room temperature or cold water for 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly. Pat your hair dry lightly with a towel and avoid rubbing it. Wear a shower cap again until your hair is dry.

If you don’t have one, check out Simply Elegant Satin XL Shower Cap (view on Amazon). It’s a satin-lined shower cap with adjustable drawstrings made from the highest quality EVA material. It helps protect hair from breakage and helps prevent hair loss.

How Long Do You Leave Cornrows In?

This style can for up to 8 weeks, but it all depends on how you take care of it. Remember to have them taken out after this period. This is because having them on for too long can cause hair breakage and damage. The best thing is to let your hair rest for at least a week before having it installed again.

How to Keep Cornrows For a Long Time

To make sure you’re able to maintain your lovely cornrows for up to 8 weeks, follow all the how-tos listed above. Always remember the importance of moisturizing, washing, cleaning, and wrapping your hair at night to keep your braids healthy and beautiful.

Sleeping with cornrows by wrapping your hair may seem like a daunting task in the beginning. The great news is, it will become easier as the days go by, and it will probably become a part of your system before you drift off to sleep at night. You can also follow these steps even after you’ve taken out your braids to ensure maximum protection for your hair.

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