How to Sleep with an Afro

Moisturizing Your Hair

Spritz your hair with aloe vera juice. One of the factors in keeping your afro looking great, is making sure that that your hair is nice and moist. Fill a squirt bottle with half water and half pure aloe vera juice. Spritz this all over your hair, and use your fingers to massage it in. Aloe vera juice can be purchased at most health food stores, some beauty supply stores, and online.

Use leave-in conditioner. To further moisturize your hair and keep it looking good while you sleep, apply a leave-in conditioner product. Use a spray-in conditioner for convenience. Alternatively, you can use a cream conditioner. Simply work the conditioner around in your hands and then apply it to your hair, starting 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from your scalp. Massage the product down to your tips. For a natural deep conditioner, use an emollient—softening—base, like one with shea butter, honey, or avocado.

Apply argan oil around your hairline. If your hair is prone to breakage around the hairline, place several drops of argan oil onto your fingertips and move it around. Apply this oil to your hairline, in the front and back, to moisturize and avoid breakage. Be sure to purchase pure argan oil!

Setting Your Hair in Braids

Divide your hair into sections. Divide your hair into 4 or more sections, and secure each section with a clip. Some folks like to part their hair down the middle, then from ear to ear, to create 4 equal sections. Alternatively, you can simply grab even sections with your hands and secure them. The parts do not need to be straight.

Braid each section. Remove the clip from one of your sections and comb out the hair with a wide-toothed comb, beginning at the ends and working toward the scalp. Sub-divide that section into 3 pieces. Fold the piece on the right over the center piece. Then fold the piece on the left over the center piece. Fold the piece on the right (which was the original center piece) over the new piece in the center. Keep repeating this method until you reach the tips of your hair, and secure this braid with the clip. If you prefer, you can do two-strand twists instead of traditional 3-part braids, but that will require you to divide your hair into more sections than for braiding.

Smooth your hair down. Once your hair is braided, you’ll want to secure these braids as close as possible to your head. Simply tuck your braids down, and use your hair clips to secure them. You want your hair to be close to your head, but you also want to be comfortable. Experiment with different tucking methods to find what works for you.

Using the Pineapple Method

Gather your hair on top of your head. If your afro is long enough, you may be able to try to pineapple method. To do this, gather your hair into a high ponytail near the front of your head.

Secure the “pineapple” and the hair around it. Secure your “pineapple” with a loose scrunchie or silk scarf. You may want to wear a headband or wrap a scarf around your head to protect the rest of your hair. You want to the pineapple to be secured loosely. Tight ponytail holders can cause dents and kinks.

Try multiple “pineapples,” if your hair is short. If you hair is not long enough to pull together in a high ponytail, you can make 2-4 mini-pineapples. Simply gather your hair in sections, and secure each section with a scrunchie or clip. Regular ponytail holders can create kinks in your hair. Look for mini-scrunchies or clips.

Sleeping on Silk

Use a silk pillowcase to keep your hair soft and moist. Most pillowcases are made of cotton. This material actually draws moisture out of your hair, leading to tangles and breakage. Instead, you want to sleep against silk. Wrap your pillow in a silk pillowcase. After you moisturize and braid/pineapple your hair, simply lay down on your silk pillowcase and go to sleep. Silk pillowcases can be purchased at some beauty supply stores, home goods stores, or online.

Choose a silk wrap to further reduce dents and frizz. Another great option is to select a silk (or synthetic silk) wrap for your hair. You may choose a bonnet-style wrap, a tie-wrap, or you can even use a silk scarf. Many people prefer wraps over silk pillowcases because they secure hair to further reduce dents and frizz.

Secure your wrap. After you have moisturized, and braided or pineappled your hair, place your silk wrap on your head. If you are using a bonnet, simply pop it on over your pineapple(s) or braids. If you are using a tie-wrap or scarf, wrap this around your head and tie it in a knot or a bow. You want to make sure that the wrap will not fall off during the night. You also want to be comfortable for sleeping. Try to place the knot in a location where it won’t bother you while you sleep (e.g., tie it at the front if you sleep on your back or in the back if you sleep on your stomach).

Styling Your Hair in the Morning

Remove everything from your hair. When you wake up in the morning, remove your silk wrap or bonnet, as well as any scrunchies, hair ties, or clips. Set these things aside for the next night.

Shake out your hair. Once all the hair wraps and ties have been removed, shake your head from side to side, and up and down. Try to allow your hair to return to its natural position without touching it too much. If you hair was braided, you may need to use your fingers to undo your braids.

Spritz your hair with aloe vera juice. Give your hair a good spritz with aloe vera juice to help keep it moist and light. Be sure to spritz the tips of hair, as well as the area around your hairline.

Finger-comb your hair. If your hair has returned to the place you want it just by shaking it out, that’s great. You don’t even have to touch it. But if your hair needs a little help, simply use your fingers to comb it and reposition it the way you want it. If using a pick or wide-toothed comb is part of your routine, you can use one. However, combing your hair first thing in the morning can cause frizz.