Regular exercise offers numerous health advantages for you and your body (like increased mood and heart strength!), yet sweaty strands can take their toll. Tight ponytails, constant heat tool restyles and frequent washing associated with an active lifestyle can weaken tresses over time and take their toll.
As frequently washing your hair can deplete its essential oils, stripping the scalp of what it needs for vitality, try only washing once every other week or less frequently.
Detangler
Dependent upon your hair type and severity of tangles, choosing an effective detangler depends on several factors. Heat protection (like Selena Gomez’s beloved Unite 7 Seconds detangler), natural oils to add moisture, or anti-static properties are all ways of keeping strands looking polished; for instance the Shea Moisture Extra Moisture Detangler contains shea butter and argan oil for hydration; Maui Moisture Hibiscus Water Detangler can be helpful for fine hair that needs less heavy duty detangling sessions.
For thick strands that get tangled easily, Burlybands may be better. Their gentle design prevents breakage during workouts while satin or silk towels and pillowcases will reduce friction between strands to help preserve healthy shine in your locks.
No Tight Elastics
Tight ponytails or buns may cause frizz in your locs if you have just started retwisting them. To minimize frizz while exercising, wear a sweat-wicking headband or headwrap.
Consider using a natural pre-cleanse specifically tailored for locs after each workout instead of shampooing; this will remove dirt and sweat accumulated after an intensive exercise session without adding to drying time by shampooing.
If you’re an active exerciser, consider adding loose-fitting styles like two-stand twists or braids to your fitness regime. These will help increase airflow to your scalp and lower chances of dandruff and itching. When wearing such styles, be sure to secure it with sweat-wicking fabrics such as bands or scarves to keep the locs in place during and after exercise.
No Hats or Scarves
Satin bonnets, scarves and hats can be an excellent way to keep sweat at bay while still looking your best. Just make sure the fabric isn’t too rough and be wary when running a brush through your strands after taking off the hat; brushing could cause knotting that could do serious damage to your locks.
Those who like the look of head wraps or scarves should use pins or bobby pins to secure it tightly around their heads when moving, to reduce frizz and flyaways around their faces and maintain smooth locks. Doing this can help avoid unwanted hair movement.
Tight ponytails and frequent use of hot tools can also do considerable damage to your locks, so opt for low manipulation styles such as boxer braids or side braids as these require less manipulation from you and less shampooing in between washes, advises Livermore. In order to minimize further hair damage use dry shampoo between washes as an extra protective measure against overshampooing your scalp strands and give yourself some much-needed breathing room!
No Blow Drying
Regular workouts offer numerous health and well-being advantages to you and your body, including improved mood, sharper thought process and stronger heart. But they may not always agree with tight ponytails, frequent hot tool restyles and increased washing that come along with exercise; this may weaken strands over time leading to breaking.
Instead, try out some of these simple strategies to keep your strands strong and healthy regardless of how much sweating occurs. From dry shampoo to no-crease hair ties, there are numerous methods available that can strengthen and preserve the integrity of your locks while leaving them looking their best.
If you want to use dry shampoo, be sure to towel-dry your hair first in order to absorb any extra oils and help the product work more effectively, preventing overly oily strands from developing. Alternately, let your locks air dry instead.