Don't Let Your Hair Keep You From Your Workout
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In This Blog, You'll Learn:
→ What sweat is actually doing to your hair and scalp → The protective styles that actually work when being active → What to do with your hair right after your workout1. The Basics: Sweat, Your Scalp, and Staying Active
Understanding Sweat And Its Effects
Sweat contains water, salts, and trace elements that can dry out your hair and lead to scalp build-up if not properly managed.
Sweat left to sit on the scalp can:
Dry Out the Hair: The salt in sweat can strip natural moisture from the hair, leaving it brittle.
Cause Build-up: Sweat mixed with oils and products can clog pores, leading to an unhealthy scalp environment, which may result in irritation or dandruff.
Working Out Is Good for Your Hair, Too!
Stress Reduction: Physical activity helps reduce stress, which is a known factor in hair loss. Lower stress levels can minimize hair shedding and promote a healthier hair growth cycle.
Hormonal Balance: Regular exercise can help balance hormones, reducing the risk of conditions like androgenic alopecia, which is influenced by hormonal imbalances.
Boosted Nutrient Absorption: A healthy metabolism aids in the absorption of nutrients essential for hair health, like biotin, iron, and vitamins, although this effect is indirect.
Don't Let Your Hair Run Your Life
We have to learn to allow our hair to live for our lifestyle and not our lifestyle living for our hair. So many of us grew up not swimming because of our hair, so many of us had or have a period of not working out because of our hair.
Let's come to a space where we seek health first in all areas of life and our hair just happens to accessorize that.
2. Before The Workout: Prepping Your Hair
Keep Your Scalp Open and Free
It's important to allow your scalp to breathe and sweat to evaporate naturally. Avoid tight hairstyles that can trap moisture.
Use Protective Styles
Avoid wigs, glue-ins, or anything that blankets your scalp. Working out in styles that trap moisture can create a breeding ground for mold, yeast, and fungus due to the sweat and heat buildup.
If your hair isn't in a style that you think will mess up or is easy to maneuver, you can mist your hair with a light leave-in prior to working out to help stop the sweat from absorbing.
3. During The Workout: Keep It Contained
Ensure your hair is not pressed against your scalp or neck to avoid trapping moisture, which can cause reversion and frizz, particularly if your hair is heat-treated or stretched.
4. After The Workout: Drying And Refreshing Your Hair
Allow The Scalp To Dry
Let your scalp air dry completely after exercising. If your scalp sweats excessively, allow your hair to dry before undoing any protective styles.
For styles like braids, where the scalp is exposed, use a cotton swab with Sea Breeze astringent to gently absorb excess sweat and reduce the risk of scalp build-up.
Undo Protective Styles
After drying, undo your protective styles to avoid matting and prevent the hair from developing odor.
Cleansing Your Hair Regularly
Final Thoughts
By following these steps, you can maintain healthy natural hair while staying active. Prioritize scalp health, avoid wigs or glue-ins during workouts, and cleanse your hair regularly to prevent build-up and dryness.
Happy Workout!
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