Should I Wash My Hair After Working Out?

Nothing beats that post-workout high. Those endorphins have kicked in, you're feeling good, and... then you take one look in the mirror at the horror show that is your hair and wonder if it was worth it. If this sounds like you, you're not alone. It’s a super frustrating problem for all of us! 

My name's Briana, and I'm a celebrity stylist with 30 years of experience helping women feel their beautiful, confident selves. I've worked with ALL hair types, from hyper-textured to pin-straight. And one of the main questions my clients ask me, no matter their hair type, is: “Briana, should I wash my hair after working out?”

It's a universal issue. Staying active makes you feel great, but having bad hair is NOT the vibe.

So, what's the fix? You'll be happy to hear that you can still slay the hair game even after an intense session. Stay with me because I'm going to share my top, insider tips that will keep you feeling fresh and confident right after the sweatiest of gym sessions.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair When Working Out?

Daily hair washing isn't a flex. You actually don't need to wash your hair after every workout, especially if you're working out every day. In fact, if you want a healthy scalp, I'd strongly advise against it.

The majority of people only need to wash their hair once or twice a week. Too much shampooing can harm your hair more than help it. Let me break it down for you:

• It Can Dry Out Your Hair - Remember, shampoo is stripping your hair of its natural oils along with product and environmental debris. We need these oils to keep it healthy, nourished, and moisturized. If you want that healthy shine and bounce, skip washing your hair every day.
• It's Not Great For Scalp Health - Washing your hair too much can also disturb your scalp's natural microbiome. Say hello to a range of issues like dandruff or an itchy scalp. Yikes.

Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule. If you have incredibly fine hair that gets greasy quickly, you might want to wash your hair more often. Or if you have textured hair, then you may even end up washing it less.

When you DO end up washing your hair, make sure to use a clarifying but gentle shampoo to get rid of all the excess sweat and dead skin that will have accumulated since your last wash day!

How to Refresh Hair After a Workout

Just because I don’t recommend daily shampooing, it doesn’t mean I think you should put up with walking around with greasy, oily hair. That can seriously impact your self-esteem, and just feels gross. Not to worry! I've got you covered with alternatives to make your style eat (and leave no crumbs).

The Best Hair Washing Alternatives For Healthy Hair

Girl, I’ve GOT YOU! I’ve specifically DESIGNED products to use on hair that’s wet from sweat so you can feel polished and confident even after the sweatiest, most intense workout.

Sweaty Hair Refresher

Looking for an alternative to dry shampoo for curly or wavy hair? You need Sweaty Hair Refresher to restyle and deodorize your hair. It'll give you the confidence you need after working out. It's made with enzymes that neutralize sweat and odors, so you don't have to worry about smelling like gym scalp all day long!

It also has amino acids that help strengthen and repair damaged hair, so you can work on your arms AND work on maintaining healthy hair at the same time.

Use this post-workout hair wash to freshen up and restyle between washes. Look good and feel great, no matter your workout intensity.

Skip Day

Need a post-gym product for straight or fine wavy hair? This alternative to dry shampoo for fine oily hair absorbs excess oil WITHOUT the cakey residue from traditional dry shampoos - yuck! The formula is super lightweight (trust me - it feels like there's nothing in your hair), and will give you volume and confidence to the sky.

The best thing about this product is that you can use it on dry or wet hair, and it will still make your hair look fresh. Shake and spray close to the roots, and you'll be back to feeling confident, no matter how much sweat (or oil) you’ve worked up.

Co-Washing

If you have coarse, textured, or curly hair, then co-washing (short for conditioner washing) is a great way to refresh curls after working out. With this method, you use a conditioner to “cleanse” your hair instead of a typical shampoo. It'll keep your hair healthier while giving definition back to the curls. Just make sure to give it a good rinse afterwards.

Just a quick note - I don't recommend using this method if you have straight or even fine curly hair texture. But it works GREAT for the girlies with 2C or a 3C hair type.

Okay, But Should I Use Dry Shampoo?

I know that many people reach for dry shampoo to fix greasy hair. And sure, it'll soak up the oil, but it comes at a cost. Those costs include a cakey build-up, dry and brittle strands, a white cast, and a SUPER bad hair day the next day and even a few hours later in some cases. With daily use, it'll leave you with clogged hair follicles, which can lead to all sorts of problems for hair growth and shine.

The truth is, dry shampoo might get rid of greasy hair in five minutes, but it’s just a band-aid for your hair problems. It doesn't actually clean or refresh your hair. You end up having just as hard of a time managing your hair than if you left it a greasy, sweaty mess.

Skip Day is everything dry shampoo WISHES it could be! Soaking up that oil without build-up means it works beautifully for multi-day use. Dry shampoos can't relate!

My Quick, Post-Gym Refresh Routine

• Step 1 - Grab a bottle of our dry shampoo alternative: Skip Day. Shake it up.
• Step 2 - Spritz the product at your roots. Don’t be afraid to apply more if you feel it’s still a little greasy. (It works for dry OR wet hair.) Make sure to massage it in.
• Step 3 - Blow dry your roots for best results (This is totally optional – you can also let your hair air-dry.)
• Step 4 - Embrace sky-high volume and that new post-workout confidence.

Is It Bad to Leave Sweat in Hair Overnight?

Leaving a bit of sweat in your hair won't harm your locks. Like I said earlier, shampooing will strip your hair of its natural oils and give you a dry scalp. If you're concerned, I recommend using a few pumps of the Sweaty Hair Refresher at the nape and sides of your hair, and on your ends, to neutralize odors.

Final Thoughts

So, should you wash your hair after working out? The answer is that you likely don't need to. Over-washing your hair can lead to dry hair and a dry scalp. Most people only need to wash their hair 1-2 times a week, so you can forgo washing after every single gym sesh.

Now that you can get your hands on products like the Sweaty Hair Refresher and Skip Day, you can save time on your post-workout shower and save yourself from a bad hair day. Embrace the glow up, girl.