“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.
“If you're a heavy sweater, then a good rinse is great to remove the excess sweat,” says Lopez. “Too much sweat can give the hair a dry appearance.” That said, if your hair isn't drenched in sweat (think: you did pilates, yoga or lifted weights), then it's totally OK to forgo washing your hair.
Good news: for most people, it's okay to skip washing your hair after a workout, even if you worked up a sweat. How often you need to wash your hair ultimately depends on your hair type, texture and personal preference. Thin, fine hair typically requires more frequent washing than thick, coarse hair.
According to Redway, if you're doing heavy cardio daily, you should wash your hair two to three times a week. “Rinsing your scalp in between shampoos will help clean it. And if you have curly or textured hair, co-wash [with conditioner but not shampoo] in between.
If you leave the sweat in your hair to dry after your workout, this is where damage can occur. Sweat can dry on your scalp and potentially clog your hair follicles, as it can mix with bacteria and irritate or damage your scalp. The high salt content can also impact your hair colour if it's been dyed.
Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.
Exercising regularly not only helps to keep your body healthy, but it also promotes healthy hair growth. When we exercise blood circulation increases, allowing for more nutrients and oxygen to get to your scalp.
“Dry shampoo is a great way to refresh hair or soak up oils and sweat at the roots,” says Justin. The secret to their success is in the formula — dry shampoos like Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo contain natural tapioca, a super-absorber that gets rid of the excess oil and sweat that will build up on the hair shaft.
"Sweat glands secretion are mixed with bacteria if not washed, it can lead to formation of fungal infections," says stylist Kristine Cruz, who does recommend a wash after some excessive sweating. And with that, my sweaty—but not dirty!
Healthy Hair Growth
Researchers agree that too much sweat can be dangerous, but the same study suggests that sweating promotes hair growth. After a heavy workout, your body will sweat a lot, and this helps unclog the hair follicles.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using a gentle cleanser and warm, not hot, water to wash your face immediately after your workout to remove sweat, dirt and oil.
If you need to, you can rinse your hair.
A water-only rinse will remove salt and sweat without stripping hair oils, says Urban. But it's also worth investing in a good shower cap.
Start training your hair to get used to less shampoo.
Your best bet is to ease into it, she says. Start by washing your hair every other day, then transition into every two days, and continue until you're only shampooing two times a week.
Be sure to comb your hair immediately after athletic activities. This will remove perspiration and salt from your hair. Rinse your hair and scalp with lukewarm water. Then wash your hair using a mild shampoo and conditioner.
Use dry shampoo and use it right
On those unwashed hair days, dry shampoo is definitely your best friend since it's one of the main ways to prolong a regular shampoo. Nothing does the trick of making your hair look clean even when it's not washed.
Depending on your hair type, you can wait three to five days between washes, and we've got the scoop on how to survive the process while you're waiting for sebum production to slow down. We'll admit, the first two weeks are the most difficult, but after about week four, you should see a significant difference.
"You can train your scalp to be less greasy in the course of three to four days, however, it will take some time for your body to fully adjust," Potempa says. "Take some time to do research about the type of hair you have and establish a new routine that gives your body enough time to adjust to the change."
Even if the hair does not feel oily, frequent shampooing is still essential to keep the scalp environment clean and healthy, so we wouldn't recommend going any longer than three to four days without shampooing.
Don't wash your hair everyday: The common mistake most women commit is washing their hair after every workout. Exercising can build up sweat and makes you feel that your scalp needs a good scrub. However, you should shampoo 2-3 times a week regardless of how often you sweat.
The physical activity and competition that go into being a professional athlete require the body to be producing testosterone around the clock. But as much as testosterone can benefit athletes on the field or court, it can hurt their appearance by destroying their hair follicles.
For one, exercise increases blood circulation and oxygen in blood cells, which benefits hair follicles. This can allow the growth phase of hair to be longer.