Should I blow dry or air dry my hair? Dermat explains why you shouldn’t sleep with wet hair to avoid a fungal infection

Do you blow dry your hair after washing it? Or do you let it air dry and just go to bed without drying your scalp? If you are the latter, then we have news for you. Leaving the scalp wet can lead to a fungal infection. Yes, you read that right.

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Dr Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist, shared a video on Instagram about what happens when we leave our hair wet. In the clip, Dr. Adel emphasized that a moist scalp can easily become a breeding ground for fungus. Although there is natural yeast on the scalp, damp hair can create the perfect environment for this yeast to thrive and increase the risk of a fungal infection called ringworm.

Never sleep with wet hair!

In the clip, Dr. Adele explained that if we don’t dry our hair, “we can end up looking like a stale piece of bread.” Setting the record straight on whether or not we should be blow-drying our hair, she stressed: “The first thing we all need to realize is that we have natural yeasts and fungi that live on our skin and scalp. [rent-free]and it is called Malassezia. One peculiarity of the fungus is that it loves nothing more than moisture (sic).”

Dr. Adel added: “So if you’re lazy when it comes to drying your hair after washing. You just sleep on wet hair and leave it on for hours on end. You’re creating a perfect storm, a perfect environment for that yeast to basically overgrow and that basically leads to something called seborrheic dermatitis, aka dandruff (sic).”

The dermatologist added that sleeping with wet hair also increases the chances of “getting a fungal infection called ringworm.” “Trust me, you don’t want this on your scalp because it’s the worst condition that can cause hair loss. Always dry your hair after washing your hair.’

Finally, she added that while leaving your scalp damp can cause fungus, it won’t cause mold to grow on your scalp.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.