Should You Wash Your Hair After Every Workout? A Stylist Weighs In

That post-workout feeling is unbeatable. Then you look in the mirror, and your hair is a different story entirely.

I am Briana, a celebrity stylist with 30 years of experience working with all hair types. The question I get asked more than almost any other: should I wash my hair after working out? The short answer is no, not every time.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair When You Exercise?

Most people only need to wash their hair one to two times a week. Daily washing is not doing your hair any favors:

• It dries your hair out by stripping its natural oils.
• It disrupts your scalp's microbiome, leading to dandruff and irritation.
• It makes oiliness worse: your scalp compensates by producing more oil.

There are exceptions. Very fine hair may need washing more often. Very coily hair, less. But for most women, once or twice a week is the right frequency regardless of how often you train.

What to Do Instead of Washing After Every Workout

For curly, wavy, or textured hair: Sweaty Hair Refresher. Deodorizing enzymes neutralize sweat and odor so your hair actually smells clean. Amino acids strengthen and repair your strands. Green tea and chamomile soothe your scalp after a hard session. Use it to restyle and deodorize between washes.

For fine, straight, or oily hair: Skip Day. This oil-absorbing spray soaks up post-gym grease and gives you volume without any cakey residue or white cast. Works on damp hair, so you can use it before your roots have finished drying.

For coarser textured hair: co-washing is an option on non-wash days. Use a conditioner in place of shampoo to cleanse gently and restore definition. Keep it off your scalp and focus on your lengths. Note: this does not work well for fine curly hair, which gets weighed down easily.

What About Dry Shampoo?

Most people's first instinct is to reach for dry shampoo. It absorbs the oil, but it also deposits powder and product onto your scalp, clogs your follicles, dries out your strands, and leaves a flat, powdery finish. Used regularly, it makes greasy hair worse over time, not better. Skip Day is the alternative that absorbs oil without the buildup, the brittleness, or the white cast.

A Simple Post-Gym Refresh Routine

For fine hair: Grab Skip Day, shake it, and spritz close to your roots. Massage in thoroughly. Blow dry on a low setting for a few seconds, or leave to air dry.

For curly hair: Swap Skip Day for Sweaty Hair Refresher, massage into the sides and nape of your neck, and work another pump through your ends. Finger twist any sections that need extra definition.

Is It Bad to Leave Sweat in Hair Overnight?

A small amount of sweat left in your hair will not cause lasting damage. If you are concerned about odor or buildup, a few pumps of Sweaty Hair Refresher at the nape and sides neutralizes any smell without requiring a wash.

The Final Answer

You do not need to wash your hair after every workout. One to two washes a week, the right products in between, and a simple post-gym routine is all you need. Find everything you need at theunsubscribe.com. Skip the wash. Not the gym.