Undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer raises worries about hair loss, leading many people to seek ways to protect their hair. Silk or satin pillowcases, well-known for their beauty benefits, may offer hope by protecting hair during chemotherapy.

If you are trying to protect your hair and you’re wondering whether silk or satin pillowcases might help, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Silk and Satin?

Silk is a filament fiber that is made naturally. A filament fiber is a type of fiber with naturally long threads, and it does not have to be spun to create a fiber of significant length. It tends to be softer than fibers that have to be spun together because those fibers are often bulkier and have more edges. Most commercially available silk fabric is called mulberry silk and comes from the cocoon of the silkworm moth.

Satin is actually a type of weave, rather than a fiber. You can weave any type of fiber into a satin pattern and you are likely to get a smoother, shinier fabric than you would have otherwise. In fact, you can even weave silk fibers into a satin pattern. Satin has most of the properties of silk, though it is often more affordable, especially as bedding. So, there’s not a lot of difference between using a silk or satin pillowcase in terms of your hair.

Is Silk or Satin Beneficial to People Undergoing Chemo?

There’s no direct research on whether silk or satin might help protect your hair or have other benefits while you’re undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. According to Dr. Jessie Cheung, a board-certified dermatologist with practices in both Willowbrook, Illinois, and New York City, using silk or satin pillowcases can have benefits for hair health. These fabrics can reduce friction between the hair and the pillowcase, thereby minimizing hair breakage and preventing damage to the hair follicles.

People have different opinions when it comes to silk versus satin pillowcases. One MyBCTeam member said, “I think the silk would feel good until all the hair drops — then fleece would be cozy, especially in winter.” Another added, “I think silk or satin pillowcases might help.”

Silk pillowcases may help your hair retain moisture, which can help prevent it from becoming brittle and breaking under normal circumstances, though it would likely not do enough to prevent hair breakage during chemo. Silk pillowcases cause less friction, so your hair will be less likely to fall out from rubbing on the pillowcase itself. Satin may also offer these same benefits.

Are Other Types of Bedding Beneficial to People Undergoing Chemo?

Silk and satin are not the only types of bedding to consider while undergoing chemotherapy. After all, bedding can be made from cotton, bamboo, flannel, jersey, and other fabrics.

Bedding choice ultimately comes down to your preference. One MyBCTeam member explained, “I didn’t change my pillowcase because we use 1,500-count Egyptian cotton, so our sheets are super soft.”

If softness is something you care a lot about, or if you have sensitive skin as a side effect from chemo, then these sheets might be right for you. Don’t forget to check the type of laundry detergent you are using as well, as you may need to switch to a hypoallergenic formula to protect your skin.

Yet another member said, “My understanding is that a fleece pillowcase is wonderful during chemo.”

Fleece is warm and soft, so it could feel good on your body in ways that are helpful during your experience with chemotherapy.

Temperature and Sheets

Some people who are undergoing chemotherapy have trouble controlling their body temperature at night. They may feel especially hot or cold when they are trying to sleep. If this is you, then finding sheets that help you control your body temperature may help.

Bedding, including a pillowcase, made from natural fibers like linen, cotton, or even silk, may help you stay cool at night. While cotton pillowcases may not help your hair, they may make you more comfortable. They are breathable, which means that they don’t trap air close to you but instead allow air to move from under the covers to outside of them and back again. This feature helps the hot air move away from you as you sleep and permits cooler outside air to come in.

A tighter weave, like percale, can also feel cooler because it’s lightweight. Percale is a type of closely woven, plain-weave fabric used in bedsheets that’s known for its crisp and cool feel. Some semiprocessed fibers, like bamboo or lyocell (a type of fiber that is considered a form of rayon), may also help you stay cool at night.

If you get cold while you sleep, on the other hand, you may want heavier sheets, like flannel. These sheets will trap warm air next to you so you don’t have to worry about feeling cold at night.

Thread Count and Chemo

The thread count of sheets matters for some people, although other factors may be more important when you choose sheets. The ideal thread count varies based on the sheet’s fiber and weave.

In general, higher thread count sheets are good for people who are cold while they sleep, and lower thread count sheets are better for people who feel hot when they sleep. Both can be soft and comfortable, depending on the type of thread that they are made of. A higher thread count does not necessarily mean you are getting high-quality bedding.

Higher thread count sheets are usually made with thinner, finer fibers that spin into thin yarns. This feature can be more comfortable for some people under certain circumstances, but these sheets will also be quite a bit more expensive. You can usually find soft sheets that help you regulate your body temperature for a reasonable amount of money.

Which Sheets and Pillowcases Are Best When Undergoing Chemo?

Sheets are a personal choice. What is comfortable for one person might be too light, too soft, or too rough for someone else.

When you are undergoing chemotherapy treatments, your body is going through a lot. It is fighting, and you can honor that fight by choosing sheets that are comfortable for you at the moment. That could even change over your time doing chemo or not, like one MyBCTeam member, who said, “I never changed from my normal pillowcase.”

Because there isn’t any scientific research available to help you choose bedding, you can safely go with what feels good and works for you. If you need to change bedding, you can try several different kinds until you find one that feels right. If you love your current sheets and pillowcase, there is no compelling reason to change them simply because you are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

If you want guidance about your bedding situation, talk to your doctor or health care provider. They may be able to help you find sheets, blankets, and pillowcases that will work for you. If you feel like your bedding is uncomfortable and you can’t find anything that works, they may be able to figure out why you’re not sleeping and help you get the rest you need.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyBCTeam is the social network for people with breast cancer and their loved ones. On MyBCTeam, more than 64,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Are you wondering how to protect your hair while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.