How Should I Take Care Of My Hair After Gym?

Nothing is more exciting than taking a good workout. However, your hair will feel limp, damaged, or unmanageable after your workout. And at the end of every workout comes the same question: “What should I do with my hair?”. In order to help you keep your hair healthy and full of life, we specially prepare some expert-approved tips on how to deal with your sweaty, after-gym hair.

1.Use Dry Shampoo Before You Work Out

While you may be accustomed to dousing your scalp in dry shampoo after a Pilates session to get rid of the sweat, we suggest adding dry shampoo to your hair prior to your workouts. Even if you have an intense WOD scheduled, it actually helps to keep your scalp dry and sweat-free.

But, make sure to wash your hair every alternate day, no matter whether you use dry shampoo or not.

2. Don’t Use Dry Shampoo On Wet Hair

Is your hair dripping with sweat after your workout? If so, turn to your towel before you turn to your dry shampoo. While dry shampoos are amazing for soaking up excess oil, they can’t be expected to make your wet hair dry. Once you use it on wet hair, it’ll just leave behind a cakey residue resulting from the powder-and-water mix.

Therefore, it is best to use your towel to soak up any lingering sweat in your hair before you use your dry shampoo, which can help your dry shampoo will be able to do its job effectively without adding excess product buildup to your strands.

3. Stay Away From The Afternoon Sun

Even if it seems like a particularly cool day, working out under the hot afternoon sun isn’t the best call. The sunlight may cause damage to your hair color and make the hair strands frail and frizzy.

If you are exercising outdoors in the morning or evening, make sure you wear sunscreen and mist your hair with UV protection spray, too. If you want to keep your hair from sun damage, read here to learn more knowledge.

4. Style Right Hairstyles To Keep Your Hair Off

Your Face Loose hair can cause breakage and so can tight and high ponytails. And sweaty or greasy hair on your face can cause acne and irritation. Thus, it is a great option for you to opt for a loose braid or bun to pin it back and keep your hair in place.

Once done working out, unbraid and use a little bit of product on roots and throughout the length to soak up oil and add textures.

Also, you can also use a silk or satin hair tie to hold the hair in place while preventing breakage during your workout.

5. Choose Proper Accessories

Are you using hair ties that either has no elastic left and even you tie them up extra tight? Or have you resorted to those super-stretchy bands which snag on your hair throughout your entire workout?

In fact, either one is a huge no-no! Those tight elastics can actually cause your hair to become thin or even break and are likely to leave your head feeling very sore over time.

Even though wearing hats and scarves is a great way to keep your hair out of your face while you work out, those same accessories have no business in your hair once you leave the gym. Not only is it just going to feel sweaty on your head, but those hats and scarfs can actually trap or transfer sweat and bacteria onto your strands.

You can wrap a headband around your hairline the next time you hit the gym to reduce the amount of sweat in your hair after your workout. After all, a sweat-absorbing headband can effectively absorb the sweat from your scalp and prevent excess oil and sweat from reaching your face.

6. Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

According to a professional hairstylist, if you’re doing heavy cardio daily, you just need to wash your hair two to three times a week rather than every day. Although excess amounts of sweat can weaken the hair strand and shorten the life span of your hair, over-washing hair may strip away your beneficial natural oils and lead to flatter and dryer locks.

While it isn’t recommended to wash your hair every day after a workout to avoid frizz and dryness, it is important to maintain hygiene as unwashed hair can be a source of bacteria and fungi.

Try and wash your hair every alternate day with a sulfate-free shampoo followed by a conditioner. Of course, remember to use cold water when rinsing your conditioner, which can close your cuticles, minimizes the pores of your scalp, and help maintain strong roots.

We also suggest using a separate towel or tissues to dab the sweat off your scalp after exercising.

7. Brush Your Hair After A Workout

Although it may seem like a hassle to throw yet another beauty product in your gym bag, a boar bristle brush or a wide-toothed comb is a must-have if you plan on showering after your workout.

Once you’re out of the shower, use a towel to dry your hair until most of the moisture is gone, spritz your hair with the detangler, and then use a wide-toothed comb to gently remove any knots. It not only can soften and smooth your hair strands, but also it can help to remove any knots stuck in your strands.

Be sure to untangle your hair with your fingers, followed by a wide-toothed comb to work your way from the bottom up when brushing in order to prevent unnecessary breakage.

8. Opt For Friendly Drying Way

Whether you have curly hair, straight hair, or anything in between, back away from the blow dryer whenever possible. Nothing is better than always opting for a gentle towel dry or air dry for post-workout hair.

If you do want to use your blow-dryer, spray some Dry Shampoo Mist on the scalp and rub it through before blasting a cold dryer on your hair to take sweat away. It is a perfect choice when you feel your hair is greasy and don’t want to wash your hair.

While a few of these post-workout hair routine habits may seem small, over time they can also actually cause hair breakage, hair loss, and buildup. Who wants that? Now follow these tips to take care of your post-workout hair.