I’ve been noticing more split ends in my beard lately and started wondering if my cotton pillowcase’s thread count could be the culprit. Does a higher thread count actually reduce friction and protect the beard, or is it all just marketing? What’s your take?
While thread count in cotton pillowcases can influence fabric smoothness, it doesn’t fundamentally address the core issue of friction and moisture absorption that leads to beard split ends. Higher thread counts may slightly reduce surface roughness, but cotton inherently lacks the low-friction and moisture-retention properties of silk or satin. Sateen, a tightly woven cotton variant, offers a middle ground by mimicking silk’s smoothness at a lower cost. For optimal beard health, consider transitioning to a silk pillowcase with a momme count of 16 or higher, as it significantly reduces friction and retains essential oils, preventing split ends.
One thing I’ve noticed is that even with higher thread counts, cotton pillowcases can still tug on beard hair due to their texture. I switched to a sateen pillowcase last month, and while it’s not as smooth as silk, it’s been gentler on my beard compared to regular cotton. If you’re hesitant about silk, sateen could be a good transitional option to test out.