Exercising is amazing for our bodies and minds – but for our hair? Not so much. Now that we’re all working on our summer bodies, it’s the perfect time to pick up some tips on keeping our hair fresh and fabulous before, during and after a workout.
Prep your hair before you exercise.
We know it’s a post-gym essential, but applying dry shampoo before your workout can also make a big difference. Spritz your hair with a product such as Fudge’s Dry Shampoo (£9.95) before hitting the treadmill and you’ll find the sweat doesn’t saturate your hair as much as usual. A light serum or oil will also help you to tie your hair back without the band tugging on or snagging your hair.
Don’t rely on a high ponytail.
On the topic of tying your hair back, wearing your hair in a ponytail every day for the gym won’t just leave you with an indent where the tie was, but it could also cause hair breakage. A tight ponytail can put unnecessary stress on your hair and scalp, which over time could even lead to hair loss! If you need to keep your hair tied up, avoid elastics or hair ties with metal clasps – instead, use fabric ties such as Popbands (£8 per pack), which are kinder to hair (and can be coordinated with your gymwear, too!) Also, try to mix up your style – if you wear a high pony one day, try a loose pony at the nape of your neck or some pigtail braids the next day. This will give your scalp a much-needed break from the strain of a ponytail.
Keep it protected.
If you regularly work out outdoors, it’s important to remember that the sun can damage your hair as well as your skin. Prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays can damage the cuticle of your hair, leaving it dry, brittle and with split ends. When running in the summer,try to cover your hair with a cap or large headband. Some hair products also contain an SPF that protects the hair and scalp – we love Nioxin’s Scalp Treatment, a leave-in conditioner that contains SPF 15.
Avoid washing your hair after each workout.
We know that the first thing you want to do after a workout is jump in the shower and wash the sweat out of your hair, but doing this every day could strip your hair of its natural oils. Our experts recommend washing your hair around two-three times a week – a dry shampoo will keep you feeling fresh on the in-between days.
Use leave-in conditioners.
The salt in your sweat can cause it to dry out your hair, so adding in some extra moisture after a gym session is essential. A nourishing leave-in treatment such as Designline’s Olive Oil Leave-In Conditioner (£9.99) will leave your hair healthy and shiny, and as ready for your next workout as you are!
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