6 ways to keep your hair grease-free and healthy if you work out every day

There’s nothing more frustrating than workout days not lining up with your hair wash days. Do you find yourself skipping a workout on a certain evening because you washed your hair in the morning and have a virtual Zoom party to attend at night? If you’re someone who exercises every day, washing your hair daily can be quite a task. While the post-workout endorphins feel amazing, your hair, not so much. We reached out to the pros for tips and tricks on the best ways to look after your mane before and after your HIIT session. Here’s what we learned.

Do: Keep your hair off your face

It might be fun to include hair flips in your online Zumba class, but in reality, you’re damaging your tresses with every move. “Open hair can cause breakage and so can tight and high ponytails,” says Dr Sadhana Deshmukh, a dermatologist and trichologist at Forever Young and Hinduja Healthcare Surgical Hospital, Mumbai. “Sweaty or greasy hair on your face can cause acne and irritation,” add Divya Sabanayagam, co-founder, Dryfix, a Mumbai-based hairstyling salon. Opt for a loose braid or bun to keep your hair in place—pin it back; you don’t want it to open up in the middle of your jumping jack. “Braids can give your hair a nice texture if you plan to let them flow naturally post your workout. Also, use a silk or satin hair tie to hold hair in place while preventing breakage during your workout," says Anjali Merchant, co-founder, Dryfix. 

Do: Use dry shampoo before you sweat

While you may be accustomed to dousing your scalp in dry shampoo after a Pilates session to get rid of the sweat, Dr Deshmukh suggests doing this prior to your drill. Turns out, it actually helps to keep your scalp dry and sweat-free even if you have an intense WOD scheduled. “Make sure to wash your hair irrespective of this step every alternate day,” she advises.

Don't: Workout with wet hair

Stepped out of the house just before your workout or went for a run and got drenched in the rain? Your workout for the day ends here—exercising with wet hair is a hard no. “Sweat and moisture gets trapped in the scalp and is uncomfortable when working out as well. Covering your hair with a cap or scarf can also increase the sweat trapped in your scalp and cause irritation,” says Sabanayagam. Rain water isn’t as clean as it may seem thanks to the pollution around us, and letting it sit on your scalp can lead to further hair concerns like root damage and dandruff.

Do: Stay away from the afternoon sun

Even if it seems like a particularly cool day, working out under the hot afternoon sun isn’t the best call. “This can cause damage to your hair colour and make the hair strands frail and frizzy,” says Merchant. If you are exercising outdoors in the morning or evening, make sure you wear sunscreen and mist your hair with a UV protection spray.

Don't: Wash your hair every day

“While it isn’t recommended to wash your hair every day after a workout to avoid frizz and dryness, it is important to maintain hygiene as unwashed hair can be a source of bacteria and fungi,” says Dr Deshmukh. She also suggests using a separate towel or tissues to dab the sweat off your scalp. “Try and wash your hair every alternate day with a mild shampoo followed by a conditioner. If you prefer to wash your hair daily, then invest in a sulphate-free shampoo.” Don’t skip applying a smoothening serum on your lengths after every wash. “Use cold water when rinsing your conditioner—this closes your cuticles, minimises the pores of your scalp and helps maintain strong roots,” advise Merchant.

Do: Be smart with your hairstyle

Firstly, “Don’t leave your hair tied the same way post-workout as you did during the workout. Post-workout, your scalp needs to breathe and air out the moisture created during the workout,” suggests Sabanayagam. “Avoid using heat on the scalp after a workout, try air-drying your hair instead,” says Dr Deshmukh. She also suggests untangling your hair with your fingers, followed by a wide-toothed comb to avoid breakage. If you do want to use your blow-dryer, opt for the cold setting. “This is perfect if you feel your hair is greasy and don’t want to wash your hair—it helps to dry up the moisture from your scalp,” says Merchant. “Choose a hairstyle that works well with textured hair rather than trying to smoothen it. For example, a messy updo is a great option for tied hair or you can just add dry shampoo if you want to add texture and let your hair down.”

Also read:

The skincare, hair care and makeup products you need for post-gym plans

If you’re washing your hair like this, you’re doing it wrong

Could your exercise routine contribute to skin ageing or acne?