Is It Ok To Wash Your Hair After A Workout?

Without a doubt, working out makes you feel amazing and full of energy, and gives you that post workout glow that even a hyaluronic acid can’t give you, but it also leaves you drenched in sweat, which can be damaging to your scalp and hair in the long run if you’re not caring for your hair.

After a workout, moisture, humidity, and other factors can cause your beautiful blowout to fall limp. We all want to maintain healthy and vibrant hair, but sweaty workouts can leave our locks feeling less than fresh. And let’s admit it, even the most aesthetic gym bathroom doesn’t make for an ideal hair care setting.

The good news is that proper hair care post workout can be easy, and help you maintain a healthy scalp while still allowing you to sweat it out as much as you like. Go on and get your gains, guilt free.

You may be wondering why post workout hair care is essential. Of course, sweating during exercise means you’re detoxifying the body, this also means it can lead to scalp buildup and oiliness if not properly taken care of. Neglecting hair care after exercise can result in unpleasant odours, breakouts, and even damage to your scalp and hair.

What's the best way to deal with sweat and oil buildup after a workout? Should you wash your hair every time, or is it okay to skip a wash here and there? Our hair experts are here to give you the lowdown on post exercise hair care, with tips and tricks to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.

Understanding Your Hair Type:

First and foremost, a crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to wash your hair after each workout is your hair type. Different hair types require different care routines. If you have oily hair or a tendency towards dandruff, it is recommended to wash your hair after each workout to prevent oil buildup and maintain scalp health. Sweat and oil buildup can create a film on your scalp over time, leading to not only unpleasant odour but scalp breakouts as well. On the other hand, individuals with dry scalps should avoid over-washing to prevent drying out their hair. Skipping a wash on occasion can actually be beneficial for your scalp health, depending on your hair type, but it's important to rinse your hair thoroughly with water to remove sweat and impurities.

Additionally, it’s important to note that your hair texture can play a role in how often you need to wash. Naturally curly or textured hair tends to be more brittle, and less oily and can go for longer periods of time in between washes, while fine hair will feel weighed down, and may need to be washed more frequently.

What Happens To Wet Hair:

When hair becomes wet, the keratin proteins that compose each strand form weaker hydrogen bonds. This makes hair more vulnerable when you tie your hair back since it stretches up to a third of its length, causing tension to the follicles and damage to the strand when it is pulled, stretched, bent, or handled roughly. Leaving sweat soaked hair tied back can cause hair to snap and leave you with a halo of breakage. If you opt to skip a shampoo session, be sure to have your hair down, or loosely tied back to allow your stands to dry and resume their natural state.

Assessing the Intensity of Your Workout:

Another essential factor to consider is the intensity of your workout which also plays an important role in how often you should wash your hair after exercise. If you're breaking a serious sweat and your hairline is feeling wet, it's best to give your hair a good wash to remove sweat and buildup that will accumulate in your scalp. However, if you had a light exercise session and didn't break much of a sweat, you may be able to skip a hair wash. It's all about finding the perfect balance between cleanliness and maintaining your hair's natural oils.

Washing Your Hair Properly:

When properly washing your hair after exercising, start with a good rinse to remove any sweat or impurities. Use a gentle shampoo to cleanse with nourishing and hydrating formulas to replenish and strengthen your scalp and hair. Massage your scalp gently to lift debris from the roots, and make sure to rinse thoroughly after shampooing with cool or cold water, as hot water can damage your hair. A tip from our experts is to wash your hair twice. Regardless of the lather you get from the first wash, you’ll want to do a second wash to ensure all the buildup is removed.

Prevent Sweat Ruining Your Hair:

Before you even throw on your Lulu’s, lock moisture out by spraying a liberal amount of anti-humectant into your hair, and the nap of your neck and shoulders if your ponytail is on the longer side. The humidity coming off your skin can have your hair going limp.

Skipping your hair wash every now and then can be beneficial to your scalp health, but if you decide to do so, try alternatives such as dry shampoo or hair refreshing products as a quick fix. With these products, you can freshen up your strands and absorb any build-up, sweat and impurities of your scalp and hair without stripping your scalp of its natural oils. 

However, it’s important not to leave the dry shampoo in your hair for more than a day or two at most, and not replace proper hair washing with dry shampoo. Celebrity Stylist Saina reminds us that “forgoing washing your hair post workout creates a layer of oils and product leaving a suffocating layer on the scalp that clogs hair follicles.”

Final Thoughts:

If you’re still wondering if you should wash your hair or not after a workout, the quickest way to assess your hair is to run your fingers through your hair, does it feel wet, oily, or waxy in any way? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to wash your hair.