Selecting layer selects layer mask first, problem?

Thane-

I noticed sometimes i get weird problems that don't happen other times, like going into scuplt mode, making some duplicates and then existing the mode having the original thing i copied having a sort reduced opacity or grayed out a little and no longer having actual normal map color qualities. In thinking about it i wondered if having the layer mask selected, which happens when i first select a layer via the photoshop layer window, causes any problems? I try do make sure im not selecting the mask before i do operations just in case, but it'd be nice to know i don't need to worry about it.