Exercise is necessary for anyone looking to improve their health or achieve a toned body. However, sweating during workouts can be inconvenient and often leaves your hair smelling and feeling strange. This can be a problem if you have plans to meet with others after your workout session.
Luckily, there are easy techniques to keep your hair in excellent health without expensive tools. Read these tips to learn what you can and should do to ensure your hair stays in great shape, just like your body.
Avoid Washing Your Hair Everyday
The immediate response to smelly hair is to wash it thoroughly after working out. However, daily washing can lead to more problems such as dry and brittle strands, hair breakage, or an itchy scalp.
One way to prevent these issues is by washing your hair every other day using phthalate-free shampoos. Strong shampoos tend to strip the natural moisture from your hair and can worsen a sensitive scalp. If you frequently experience irritation and hair fall, it could be caused by washing your hair daily.
Plan your wash days and workout days wisely whenever possible. You can substitute your regular shampoo with dry shampoo if you exercise daily. This will keep your hair volumized and smell fresh even after leaving the gym.
Wear A Different Hairstyle After Working Out
Keeping your hair from touching your face while working out is a must. A simple ponytail often does the trick. However, be sure to let it loose afterward. Your scalp also needs to breathe; keeping your hair tied up post-workout can weaken it.
So, consider leaving it untied on your way home from the gym. If you want to remove tangles, comb through your hair using your fingers and then with a wide-toothed comb. Doing this protects your hair from breaking and falling.
Cool Down Your Tresses
You should also cool down your hair, like doing cool-down exercises after an intense workout. Use your blow dryer on the cool setting to accelerate the process before you untie your hair. Do this for two to three minutes to remove excess sweat and moisture from your scalp.
Additionally, keep extreme heat away from your hair. The afternoon sun, a hot blow dryer, or wearing a baseball cap can make your scalp produce more sweat. Heat can also make your hair frizzier and cause strands to fall. If you’re exercising outdoors, your hair will be more exposed to sunlight even when the weather is windy and cold.
To protect your hair from the damaging heat, apply a UV protectant spray before stepping outside. Remember, your scalp and hair also need sunscreen, just like the rest of your body.
Touch Your Hair Less
If you’re a person who habitually touches their hair for whatever reason, it may be time to stop. Your hands touching your scalp stimulates further sweat and oil production. That’s why you need to keep your strands off your face, or you’ll constantly touch your hair.
Sometimes, you don’t notice how much you’ve touched your hair, especially when focused on your workout routine. To curb this problem, invest in a moisture-wicking headband to wear while exercising. It’ll absorb sweat and oils and hold those stubborn baby hairs in place.
Exercise Only When Your Hair Is Dry
Surprisingly, some people exercise with wet hair. You might have to change this habit if you’re one of them. Working out while your hair is wet will let water and sweat mingle on your scalp and eventually get trapped there. When they do, your head will likely feel itchier the longer you go without a wash.
Say you get caught in the rain while jogging, end your work out there, and dry off at home. Shower or wash your hair only after you’ve done an intense physical activity to remove the scalp buildup. Doing so will help clear out the leftover grime from sweat and water. Your hair will be healthier and unlikely to have dandruff or root damage.
Choose Low Impact Workout Routines
If you sweat a lot or dislike the feeling of your hair being limp and moist, consider opting for low-intensity exercises. Activities like yoga, walking, and slow-motion weightlifting allow you to move slowly and steadily while working out your muscles. As a result, you’ll feel less sweaty and refreshed after a session.
Low-impact routines help keep your hair in top condition and can be a great addition to your workout schedule when you want to keep your hair clean without washing.
Alternatively, you could take a break from exercising. Some dermatologists might recommend pausing your workouts, especially after receiving skin treatments, as sweating can negatively affect the medication used on your skin. Use that chance to rest; after a few days, your hair and scalp will likely look and feel better.
You don’t need to sacrifice your hair’s health for the sake of your overall body’s health. These simple tips can help you maintain your hair in good condition while staying active at the gym or jogging in your neighborhood.