If you grew up in a Filipino household—or in many Southeast Asian homes—chances are you’ve been seriously warned: “Don’t go to bed with wet hair, or you’ll go blind!” Or maybe another version: “You’ll go crazy!”
You might have even heard that plucking a single gray hair will cause more to grow in its place. But of all the advice passed down from our lolas, titas, moms, and grandmothers, how much of it is actually backed by science?
Can Sleeping With Wet Hair Really Make You Go Blind?
This is perhaps the most popular and most alarming, myth: sleeping with wet hair can cause blindness. But according to medical experts, there is absolutely no scientific basis for this claim.
In fact, doctors themselves often admit to showering at night before bed, and their eyesight is perfectly fine.
The truth is, going to bed with wet hair can be uncomfortable. It may leave your scalp feeling itchy or your hair roots limp. But causing vision loss? Not at all.
So if you’ve believed you could suddenly wake up blind just because your hair wasn’t dry—rest assured, that’s nothing more than a long-standing myth without medical evidence.
Wet Hair Makes You Go Crazy?
A more dramatic version of the myth warns that going to sleep right after washing your hair can drive you “crazy” or cause mental health problems. Again, there’s no scientific proof that wet hair has anything to do with mental well-being. Going insane because your hair’s wet? Even scientists shake their heads at the thought.
Of course, there are practical reasons to avoid sleeping with wet hair. But those reasons are based on comfort and hygiene—not superstition.
Real Side Effects
If it doesn’t actually cause blindness or madness, what are the real side effects of sleeping with wet hair?
- Weaker Hair, More Breakage
Wet hair is fragile. When you sleep, friction between your hair and the pillow can cause it to break or become tangled. If you often wake up with seriously messy hair, this could be the reason. - Fungal Infections and Dandruff
Wet hair combined with a damp pillow creates the perfect environment for fungal growth—especially if this becomes a habit. Over time, you could develop a stubborn scalp infection or chronic dandruff. - The Beginning of a Bad Hair Day
Beyond tangling and breakage, your hair may also lose its shine and become more difficult to manage. It’s no surprise if your morning turns into a battle—just because of one decision the night before.
So, Can Sleeping with Wet Hair Actually Make You Sick?
Many people believe that sleeping with damp hair can lead to colds, the flu, or even asthma and allergies. On the surface, this seems logical—wet hair feels cold, and body temperature drops during sleep.
But in reality, colds and flu are caused by viruses, not because you went to bed with semi-wet hair. Unless someone around you is sick and contagious, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll fall ill just because you didn’t dry your hair.
As for headaches, some people are more sensitive to temperature changes. If you're one of those who often wake up with a headache after sleeping with wet hair—especially in air-conditioned or fan-cooled rooms—it might be better to avoid it.
Still, medically speaking, there’s no solid evidence that wet hair directly causes migraines.
Safe Tips for When You Have to Sleep With Wet Hair
Sometimes you’re just too tired to dry your hair, or there’s simply no time. If that’s the case, here are a few things you can do:
- Use conditioner and serum to minimize hair damage.
- Gently comb your hair to prevent tangles.
- Towel-dry your hair as much as possible.
- Use a silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
- Make sure your sheets, pillowcase, and hair are clean to prevent fungal growth.
Between Tradition and Science
Ironically, even though the myth linking wet hair to blindness has been debunked, many of us are still influenced by it. Plenty of people still wait for their hair to dry before sleeping—just to avoid that lingering feeling of unease.
Maybe it’s because we’ve heard those warnings so many times growing up. Or maybe, deep down, we all know that myths and traditions sometimes hold more psychological power than facts ever could.
