The Myth Squad – why use a Silk Pillowcase?
We’re very happy to present a new we heart this feature; The Myth Squad. We’ll examine the myths and legends that you’ve heard hundreds of times, and determine if they’re valid and should be brought into your routine, or banished to the old wives tale file. Today, we have wht member Holly delving into the staple of every 50s housewife, the silk pillowcase…
I am going to talk about something that brings a whole new meaning to the term “a wrinkle in time.” Have you ever woken up with a sleep crease? If you sleep on your side, you know what I mean; that telltale crease that the pillow makes on your face while you are sleeping. What about wild woman bed head? You went to sleep with normal hair and woke up with a rats nest in your hair. If you can not personally relate to them, I’m sure you’ve seen someone experience one of those phenomenons.
The silk pillowcase is a simple and easy solution for both. This is not a new or high tech product. In fact, they’ve been around for a long time and there is something to be said about an item that stands the test of time. Even my Grandmother, who was born in 1906, considered a silk pillowcase to be a key beauty item.
Here is how they work…
Basic pillowcases, like ones made of cotton do not offer any slip or give. During the night the fibers in the traditional pillowcase continuously tug at delicate parts of the face and neck. Pillowcases made from silk provide a certain amount of slip or give required to prevent sleep crease and even skin stretching. When I think about all of the money I have spent on facial cream, serum, my Clarisonic and other various hair products to stay young, I literally kicked myself. Why did I ever stray away from my Grandmother’s beloved silk pillowcase?
Silk pillowcases are also amazing at keeping your hair in check. Silk is woven closer together than cotton and other materials. This makes silk much gentler on your hair. Silk allows your hair to glide over the pillow without getting caught in the fibers. I immediately noticed a huge difference the next morning. I have long thick hair and it looked nearly as good the next morning, saving me time I would have spend restyling. My hair stylist also swears by the silk pillowcase to extend styling. This is especially true for people who have brittle hair. She also highly recommends it to anyone with thinning hair or someone who has a lot of damage.
From now on, I am going to be like Grandma and sleep on a silk pillowcase. Who knew the “old school” silk pillowcase was such a multi tasker? So, the wht Myth Squad Verdict? The power of the silk pillowcase is not a myth!
Want to wake to smoother hair and skin? Try a beauty staple, the silk pillowcase. Readers – do you Agree or disagree with my verdict?
Filed in: beauty & fashion, myth squad
Not only do I regularly wake up with wild hair, I’ve come to work with pillowcase face creases that lasted ‘til lunch! I can’t believe I’ve never tried a silk pillowcase. My mom swears by them, but it took your post, @hao9703, to convince me. Hmm, wonder where I can pick one up at lunch?
Bravo, @hao9703!! Congratulations on a lovely first WHT piece! I am very excited to learn more about deconstructed beauty myths. And you may have just convinced me to give a silk pillow case a try. Now I just need to find some inexpensive ones. Any ideas on that??
I am ADORING the idea of this series. And I’m really surprised that this myth is true…looks like I’m going to need to get a silk pillowcase! And afer googling, they don’t seem THAT expensive. Thanks for the tip, @hao9703!
@Melissa and Kellie — You can check Ross and TJ Maxx. I found mine on sale at Macys.
It is amazing rhat this is one myth that is true!
@hao9703!! How about my old satin pillowcase?
@Pamela Irene — I do not have a satin pillowcase so I cannot speak to how effective it may or may not be. However, I would think it would depend on the weave of the fibers. I am a big advocate of using what you have.
I would think this should work. Please report the results back.
Ok, I’ll try a silk pillowcase if it will make me look as gorgeous as Marilyn does in bed!
But seriously, it makes so much sense. Especially the hair part. I wake up with knots in my hair like you wouldn’t believe! I’d def. give this a try.
Well done @hao970 (Holly) on your first post. Welcome to the team! We look forward to more of your beauty sleuthing.
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I’ve really been wondering about this recently! I would love to try it just for the luxury of silk, but if it helps other things too – woohoo!
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I drool and I’m afraid I would ruin the pretty silk pillowcase! :(
But this does make sense, I wonder why more people don’t use this trick? Thanks for sharing @hao9703
Great post @hao9703! Looking forward to more of these!
This is very tempting to try :D I also recommend goose-feather stuffed pillows. As much as it sounds like I’m pushing for high-maintenance products, the squishiness adjusts better to your head shape than regular pillows and has more air and room to accommodate better. It feels so much better the next morning, no sore neck or anything. I think sleep is paramount in beauty regimens, so I’ll bring out the big bucks :p
Great post, Holly – I’m glad to see that you’re writing over here. This was a very interesting article; as a result, I’m going shopping for a silk pillow case (or two). I don’t usually get the creases on my face, but I have very curly hair that seems to come to life while I’m sleeping. I hope this helps!
I was lucky enough to have these once (until they finally fell apart from too many hot water washes in the washing machine!). It’s been awhile and I can’t remember how they affected my hair, but I do remember that I NEVER woke with a face crease, so I can attest that they do indeed work in that regard…darnit – time to spend some more money I don’t have!
I love silk pillowcases. I bought them originally because I heard they were gentler for your hair, and that’s when I realized I now wake up crease-free! I used to get creases in my face that lasted hours.
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