29-04-2025
The common cooling down habit you should avoid during upcoming mini-heatwave
Scotland has experienced unexpectedly high temperatures so far this spring and, after a cooler couple of weeks, the warm weather is ramping up again. And those who are not a fan of the muggy weather may be starting to worry about how their sleep will fare amid reports of a mini-heatwave. Record-breaking sunshine is on the way for Scotland, according to STV weatherman Sean Batty. And we, along with the rest of the UK, are set to see a scorcher this week, with the Met Office predicting highs of 28C in Britain. The "warmest spell of the year so far" will continue to rise each day this week before blasting to 28C on Thursday, May 1, with a small chance of this climbing to 29C. Brits may be tempted to engage in some age-old habits to avoid overheating. However, an expert has warned that one common way of cooling down may come with some surprising risks. As the mercury ramps up, Scots may opt to go to bed with wet hair in an attempt to keep cool. But a hair specialist is at pains to note that this habit can actually wreak havoc on your locks from the inside out. Hair transplant expert Yannis Giantzides, CEO of Manchester Hair Transplant Clinic , has revealed that wet hair left to air-dry actually suffers worse internal damage than properly controlled heat-drying. This is because hair that stays wet too long faces serious damage to its cell membrane complex (CMC), which is what holds hair fibres together and gives it strength. "It is widely assumed that natural is always better, but when it comes to drying your hair, that's not necessarily the case," Giantzides explained. " Sleeping with wet hair increases friction against your pillow, which can lead to breakage and tangles. In some cases, it can even lead to fungal growth on your scalp." Giantzides also noted that people with dyed or chemically treated hair risk the most damage from air-drying. He went on: "These treatments already compromise the hair's protective layer, making it more vulnerable when wet. For these hair types, quick, gentle drying is especially important. "Hair is most vulnerable when it's wet, because water causes the hair to swell, and this puts pressure on the protective outer layer. When hair stays wet for too long, the CMC can become compromised. "This leads to weaker, more fragile hair which can be more prone to breakage and split ends." Experts say using heat in a controlled way is healthiest for your hair. Specialists at Manchester Hair Transplant Clinic recommend the use of a hair dryer on medium heat, kept about 15 cm from your hair while moving it constantly around different sections. This evaporates water quickly without exposing any single spot to too much heat. For anyone worried about heat damage, Giantzides advises gently removing excess water with a microfibre towel first, using a blotting technique, then a heat protectant spray before blow-drying at a medium temperature setting. There is one caveat, though. Those with natural curls might benefit from careful air drying during the day. Strong airflow from blow dryers can disrupt curl patterns, crack the curl structure and create split ends. If you don't want to give up air-drying, Giantzides says to cut the time that hair is wet as much as possible. To do this, use a microfibre towel to squeeze out water straight after washing, then apply quality leave-in products that help protect your hair's structure. Ensure any air-drying happens during daylight hours, never overnight.
