How to Maintain Your Hair While Working Out
by Omonike Anderson
Note from the Editor.
The weather is now hot and inviting to outdoors activities and many more women are thinking about being more active, working out and losing weight but one frequent deterrent to working out is that sweat is not our hair best friend. There's a way to make peace with you hair and working out so I hope you will benefits from Omonike's tips below.
Realize that you are
already cute! I know I’m not the only one who once recited the phrase, “I
want to look cute while working out.” What I had to realize is that my
hairstyle did not in any way change my facial structure. The same face I had when I rocked a beautiful
twistout was the same face I had when I rocked a less glamorous style at the
gym. Once you realize that your flyness is not about your hairstyle, but
about your confidence and positive attitude, protective styling at the gym
becomes more of an option for you. After
all, you’re so fabulous you can pull off any hairstyle! Right? ;-)
Timing is everything:
Probably one of the most significant factors to working out is structuring
which workouts you will do on what days, what times, and why. Do not
underestimate this tip; it requires great thought and strategy. If your wash days are Saturday afternoons, then
Fridays and Saturday mornings will probably be your best bet for vigorous
cardio, while other days can be dedicated toward workouts that don’t produce as
much sweat. Light workouts include weightlifting, yoga, and walking, while
heavy workouts include running, dancing, and jump roping. This list is not set in stone, so do what
works best for you. If it is feasible, try scheduling your workout sessions on
your off days or straight after work so that you won’t have to worry about
preserving your hairstyle. If you must workout during lunch, do a light workout
and save the cardio for your off days.
Prep your hair: If
you have somewhere to be after your workout, braid or twist your hair beforehand
and take them down post-workout for a nice braidout/twistout. If you plan on
going swimming, rinse your hair in the shower and apply conditioner before your
swimming session to decrease the amount of chlorine absorbed in your hair.
Think of your hair like a sponge. If a sponge is already soaked, the chances of
soaking up additional water are slim to none. This is the case when you soak
your hair in the shower before entering chlorine water. Remember that swim caps do not keep your hair
dry, but only work to keep your hair out of the way. If your hair is a total
disaster after your workout, opt for the cute trendy turban look to save the
day!
Keep your hair out of
the way: You’ve heard this many times before, but keeping your hair out of
the way protects it from the harsh salt that sweat produces. If you have a TWA, keeping your hair out the
way is a simple as investing in a sweatband or mesh cap. Sweatbands control the
amount of sweat allowed to seep into your hair and scalp, as well as protects
your face from any excess hair product that may drip down and trigger acne. For
those of you with a little more length, keep your hair in a high bun or puff on
top of your head to prevent the ends of your hair from rubbing against any
sweat produced by your nape and/or back.
Keep your scalp clean:
This is important! Sweat contains salt that attaches itself to your hair and
scalp, attracting molecules from the environment and creating excess buildup
that can clog pores. Think of your scalp like the rest of your skin—because it
is! If you take a shower after the gym to rid your skin of the grime that dried
sweat often produces, why wouldn’t you cleanse your scalp as well? While it may
seem impractical to wash your hair every single day, cleansing at least once a
week is a good idea. In the meantime, a tea tree oil and water mix can help
alleviate excess scalp buildup because tea tree oil is an antiseptic. Simply
add a few drops of tea tree oil to a water-filled spray bottle, soak a cotton
ball, and dab your scalp generously.
Use Products That
Help! Anti-humectant serums and heat protectants are great products to use
during workouts. Anti-humectants act as a water repellent that prevents the
intrusion of moisture into the hair during humid environments, while heat
protectants protect the hair from the drying properties of sweat. Both products
coat and seal the external cuticle layer, reducing chances of frizz and
creating a barrier between your sweat and your hair strands. While there are a ton of commercial products
on the market, natural anti-humectants are Shea butter, olive oil, hydrogenated
Castor oil, and coconut oil. A great natural heat protectant is grapeseed oil
because it can withstand temperatures up to 420 degrees.
Get Practical! There
are many cute hairstyles that can withstand a heavy workout session. Take a
look and try one of these!
How do you maintain your hair while working out? What's your favorite work-out exercise and how often do you work-out and what is your hair maintenance regimen?
This article was written by the beautiful Omonike Anderson a healthy and inspiring natural. Please share your tips, what work best for you and feel free to Follow the blog, subscribe by email and Like the facebook page.
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Until next time happy health journey to you!
N'na
Thank you for this article. I was wondering the best way to maintain my hair as I get back into working out.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and what lovely styles. I wish I had the time to set and let someone turn me out with one of them :0)
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for stopping by! So glad I could help:-)
ReplyDeleteWow I like the hair styles is it the right hairdo you have for those who have their exercise.For those who wants new hair styles new look everyday then click this link Indian Remy Hair surely you love it.........
ReplyDeleteI like this stunning Hair Tips post
ReplyDeleteFashion Design And Beauty