How Overnight Friction Affects Hair Breakage (Especially for Fine or Colour-Treated Hair)

You’ve invested in the salon-grade masks, you’ve cut back on the heat tools, and you’re using the "right" shampoo. So why are you still finding snapped-off strands on your pillow every morning?

The truth is, for those with fine or colour-treated hair, the biggest threat to your hair health isn't your styling routine—it’s your sleep. Specifically, it's overnight friction.

The "Sandpaper Effect" of Traditional Bedding

Most of us sleep on cotton or polyester-blend sheets. While they feel soft to our skin, under a microscope, these fibres are remarkably "grabby." For hair that is already compromised by bleach or naturally fine in diameter, these fibres act like microscopic sandpaper.

As you move during the night, your hair cuticles—the protective "shingles" on the outside of the hair shaft—snag on the fabric. Instead of sliding, the hair stays put, stretches, and eventually snaps.

Why Fine and Colour-Treated Hair are at Risk

• Fine Hair: Lacks the internal strength (medulla) of thicker hair, meaning it reaches its "breaking point" much faster under tension.
• Colour-Treated Hair: The chemical process of colouring lifts the hair cuticle. Raised cuticles are far more likely to "lock" with cotton threads, leading to those impossible-to-brush morning tangles.

The Aussie Humidity Factor

Living in Australia means dealing with humidity that causes the hair shaft to swell. When the hair swells, the cuticle becomes even more prone to snagging. If you've ever woken up with a "nest" at the nape of your neck after a humid night, you've experienced friction damage firsthand.

The Solution: Eliminating the Snag

To stop the snap, you have to eliminate the friction. 100% Mulberry Silk is the only fabric that provides a truly frictionless surface. Because silk is a protein-based fibre (just like your hair), it doesn't strip away the natural oils needed to keep fine hair flexible.