We often think about the importance of haircare in the morning hours, but bedtime is equally as essential to healthy hair. Besides, think of all the heat damage, color treatments and general day-to-day tangles we inflict on our tresses daily. Think of bedtime as a time to restore and nourish your hair, not adding insult to injury. Keep reading for the six most important things you should never do to your hair before going to bed if you want to maintain healthy and beautiful hair.

Don’t go to bed with wet hair

I am the biggest fan of night showers in the world, but going to sleep with wet hair is so bad for your locks. Hair is weakest when it’s wet, so sleeping right after you’ve washed it does more harm than good. The elasticity is loosened, which means it will snap and break far easier than when dry. If you absolutely have to sleep with wet hair, braid it to protect it from damage.

Stop using elastic bands

First off, you shouldn’t be tightly tying your hair up when you sleep anyway, but you definitely shouldn’t be using elastic hair ties. Tight buns and ponytails are pulling every single hair around your hairline and that can lead to a receding hairline. Especially if you wear your hair up during the day, sleeping with the same style will only cause more damage. A loose braid or a low bun with a silk scrunchie is the best way to sleep with your hair protected.

Don’t fall asleep with styling products

If you have a lot of styling products in your hair, it can be really drying. Make sure to take out any bobby pins holding up your style, then break the products down with a bit of leave-in conditioner, and brush it out.

Ditch your cotton pillowcase

By now, you’ve probably heard over and over again how beneficial silk or satin pillowcases are for beauty purposes. So what are you still doing with any ol’ pillowcase? Cotton is known to deplete moisture from the hair leaving it dry and frizzy. Not to mention it’s all around better for your skin, especially in hot and sweaty seasons. If your budget doesn’t allow for an upgrade to your pillowcase, you can get the same effect by wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf.

Don’t skip brushing your hair before bed

While you don’t need to brush your hair with 100 strokes like the age-old advice says, going to bed with tangled hair is a big no-no. Use a boar bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb to brush your hair from root to tip before bed. Not only does this remove snarls, it also helps distribute natural oils to your hair while you sleep for extra conditioning.

Stop sleeping in a dry room

We already know a dry environment can wreak havoc on our skin, especially while we sleep, but it has equally negative effects on the cuticles of your hair. Throw a treatment oil on your hair before bed and invest in a quality humidifier. A humidifier is great at helping your hair retain its natural moisture, reducing frizz and also help keep your scalp healthy and itch-free.