Exercise is good for you – but is it good for your hair?
Although regular sessions down the gym might keep the weight and the waistline
down, it doesn’t necessarily follow that your hair is benefiting as well.
At the London Centre of Trichology, we are experts in
diagnosing and treating both male and female hair loss. As leading London
trichologists, we are also committed to promoting better hair health in both
men and women. Here are our top tips for keeping your hair fit as well as your
body.
Try a Different
Hairstyle
Perspiration and sweat, and the salt contained within it, are at the heart of the problem. A hard workout at the gym means they can dry out your hair and damage it. One solution is to use a hairstyle, not necessarily your usual one, which stops the sweat running into your hair. Styles you could use to solve this problem will depend on the length of your hair but women particularly consider ponytails, French braids or double looped topknots. Another alternative is the chignon such as the one sported by Manchester United footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Perspiration and sweat, and the salt contained within it, are at the heart of the problem. A hard workout at the gym means they can dry out your hair and damage it. One solution is to use a hairstyle, not necessarily your usual one, which stops the sweat running into your hair. Styles you could use to solve this problem will depend on the length of your hair but women particularly consider ponytails, French braids or double looped topknots. Another alternative is the chignon such as the one sported by Manchester United footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Wear a Headband
Wearing a headband, or, if you would prefer to be accessory-free, fashioning your hair into a braid, also helps stop the sweat from running into it in the first place. Alice bands, which can hold hair away from the face but let it flow out freely at the back, are another possibility.
Wearing a headband, or, if you would prefer to be accessory-free, fashioning your hair into a braid, also helps stop the sweat from running into it in the first place. Alice bands, which can hold hair away from the face but let it flow out freely at the back, are another possibility.
Swimming
Indoor pools have high levels of chemicals in them for public health reasons. However chlorine, the most widely used, can cause hair to dry out and break off. You should rinse your hair with non-chlorinated water, and use conditioner on it, before you even get in the pool. This will help prevent your hair from absorbing all the chlorine once you are in the water. Wearing a swim cap, in the sea as well as the pool, will help to avoid the problem in the first place.
Indoor pools have high levels of chemicals in them for public health reasons. However chlorine, the most widely used, can cause hair to dry out and break off. You should rinse your hair with non-chlorinated water, and use conditioner on it, before you even get in the pool. This will help prevent your hair from absorbing all the chlorine once you are in the water. Wearing a swim cap, in the sea as well as the pool, will help to avoid the problem in the first place.
Sun Protection
If you like playing summer sports like tennis then you
should look for a shampoo and conditioner that contains sunflower. This is
because it contains natural UV ingredients which can protect you from the sun.
It is advisable not to shampoo your hair too often, though, because this means
your scalp and hair get too dry. Cutting back on the washes will allow your
hair’s oil levels the chance to rebalance themselves. Again, wearing a
protective hat or cap is a sensible idea.
Wind and Rain
Protection
A wintry, cold wind can cause a problem, both on the pitch and afterwards. Hair can easily be damaged by winds, which can leave it dehydrated and unable to lock in moisture. This problem is made worse by coming into a centrally-heated home or changing room. The best solution is to treat your hair to a heavier conditioner, and when you do use a shampoo make sure it is one that’s suitable for your hair type.
A wintry, cold wind can cause a problem, both on the pitch and afterwards. Hair can easily be damaged by winds, which can leave it dehydrated and unable to lock in moisture. This problem is made worse by coming into a centrally-heated home or changing room. The best solution is to treat your hair to a heavier conditioner, and when you do use a shampoo make sure it is one that’s suitable for your hair type.
Rain can create different problems, and protective headgear
may not always be the answer as it might affect your ability to play the sport
or see the ball. Wet hair is more prone to damage and breakage, so should
initially be gently towel-dried then combed rather than brushed.
If you have noticed that your hair is starting to thin and
want treatment, it is best to seek an expert diagnosis as soon as possible. As
leading trichologists in the London area, we have decades of experience in the
fields of both female and male hair loss, and you can rely on our expertise
when considering treatment. Click on the link to find out more about the services we offer.
