When you don’t have time to do your hair before hitting the gym, a trusty ponytail can come in very handy. But hairdressing experts advise against it.
Women should avoid tight hairstyles, such as ponytails or buns, when going to the gym, as it could lead to hair loss. The problem arises especially when women exercise, but it also applies to hairstyles worn for long hours.
Adding exercise to the equation of a tight hairstyle creates extra tension on the hair follicles. Hairstyles that are too tight, such as wearing a ponytail or a tight braid, can put too much pull on hair and hair follicles.
At first, this can cause breakage and even pull out strands. If this operation is repeated repeatedly and over a prolonged period, it can lead to irreversible hair loss. This type of hair loss is called “traction alopecia”. To remedy this, it is better to give preference to a more flexible hairstyle.
Braiding your hair is a convenient way to keep it out of the way, without it being too tight on your head. The rule of thumb is that if it hurts your scalp, then you should loosen your hairstyle.
Tips for exercising without damaging your hair.
Choose your hairstyle according to your training.
Adopt a hairstyle for each sport! The high bun for Pilates for example, so that no hair ends up on your face. Braids for skiing to keep your hair out of the downhill wind which can cause tangles and knots. Opt for braids for the bike too, as they adapt perfectly to the helmet.
Hair ties (Invisibobbles) are the ideal hair accessory for training. Given their plastic design, they are able to hold the hair without absorbing sweat, and their spiral design guarantees protection against headaches, hair breakage and unwanted streaks.
Reinvigorate your style.
Before your workout, lightly mist a moisturizing leave-in conditioner on your hair. Then, after your workout, run a hair dryer over your head, as most leave-in conditioners are reactivated by heat.
Create your own natural texture.
If you don’t like pulling your hair back when you exercise, use a texturizer on your roots before you start your workout. Some of the product will break down with the moisture from your sweat, but what’s left will give you a solid foundation to revive your style. After your workout, flip your head over and rub your fingers into your scalp to reinvigorate the volume you had before hitting the gym.
Put your hair in knots.
Apply a light leave-in or smoothing mist before rolling small 2-inch sections of hair into small balls all over your head and securing with pins or rubber bands. Once removed, you will have a nice texture after your workout.
Choose headbands suitable for training.
Buy a headband made of a moisture-wicking fabric. They are all stretchy, breathable and designed to keep your head cool and dry.
Don’t underestimate Never the power of a hairpin.
Above all, don’t sacrifice your hair for a ponytail workout. All you really need is a few bobby pins to keep hair around your face from interfering with your workout. Fringes especially need to be pulled to the side and secured with a pin.
Do not touch your head with your hands.
Touching your hair with your hands during a workout stimulates sebum production in the scalp. So it’s best to keep your hair up or cut back so you don’t have to constantly pin it down.
Ban baseball caps.
They may keep your hair out of your face, but a baseball hat creates heat on the scalp. This leads to additional sweating.
