If your hair is dry or color-treated, you may need to take extra care to prevent further damage. But caring for your hair goes far beyond using the right shampoo and avoiding hot styling tools. It turns out that there are many things you can do to protect your hair while you sleep since all this at night could be damaging your hair more than you think.

We believe that your hair needs restful sleep just as much as your skin. And we’ve rounded up some seemingly harmless mistakes you might be making that are keeping your hair from looking its best.

You’re Going To Bed With Damp Hair

© Shutterstock.com© Shutterstock.com

Some days, you barely have the energy to remove your makeup, let alone dry your hair, and we completely understand that. But in addition to waking up with a lopsided head, sleeping with wet hair can cause serious damage.

Wet hair is very fragile, and all the shaking overnight can damage the strands and cause breakage and splitting. It is best to wash your hair a few hours before going to bed or use a heat protectant and dry it with a hairdryer.

You Sleep With Your Hair Up In A Bun

© Sergey Mironov / Moment / Getty Images© John Fedele / The Image Bank / Getty Images

If you have long hair, nothing feels more comfortable than tying it up in a ponytail or bun before bed. But not giving your hair a break from tight styling overnight can weaken your strands and even lead to long-term hair loss.

To give your scalp some much-needed recovery time at night, let your hair down before bed and never tie your strands in a tight bun when they’re wet.

Swap Your Cotton Pillowcase Out For A Silk One

© Pexels.com© Shutterstock.com

Getting rid of your old cotton pillowcase and investing in a quality silk pillowcase is more than just a luxurious item to add to your nightly routine. Cotton tends to be rough on the hair and prevents it from slipping easily, which can lead to tangled, dry, and frizzy hair.

Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help keep your hairstyle from getting messy at night and will benefit not only your hair but your skin as well.

You’re Not Brushing Your Hair Before Sleep

© Shutterstock.com© Shutterstock.com

You probably spend a lot of time each morning making sure your hair is perfect, but brushing it well before you go to sleep can help you avoid all those morning tangles and tangles.

Brushing helps evenly distribute the natural oils produced by the scalp from root to tip, keeping hair shiny and preventing breakage.

You Never Braid Your Hair Before Going To Bed

© Shutterstock.com© Unsplash.com

While your curling iron can help you create beautiful beach waves in no time, being creative and using heat-free styling options will help your hair stay healthy and well-hydrated.

Doing a loose braid before bed and applying some leave-in hair care products is the easiest way to wake up with beautiful curls. In fact, sleeping in braids is one of the secrets used by Indian women to keep their hair long, shiny, and healthy.

Wearing this protective hairstyle to sleep can prevent split ends, strengthen hair and help it grow faster.

Does your hair look tangled when you wake up? Do you know any hair care hacks that you can share with other Bright Siders?

Preview photo credit Sergey Mironov / Moment / Getty ImagesJohn Fedele / The Image Bank / Getty Images