Should I wash my hair after every workout? All your exercise and haircare questions answered

When it comes to heavy sweating, finding the best hairdos that cater for hygiene, practicality and style can seem like a minefield. We hear from haircare experts their tips for hacking hair while exercising.

1. Should you always put your hair up when exercising?

The general consensus seems to be to always put your hair up when working out. “Hair should be put up when exercising to prevent it from tangling, getting caught in equipment or affecting your performance,” says trichologist, Anabel Kingsley. “A low-traction braid, or a bun work well to keep hair completely out of the way.”

Be careful not to fall into the trap of overworking your hair follicles. As founder of Hair Rehab London, Lauren Pope notes, “Continuously pulling long hair up into tight hair styles when exercising, especially with hair extensions, can be heavy and strenuous on the roots, potentially causing breakage and hair loss. It’s important to alternate hairstyles to give your hair a break.”

2. Do you have to wash your hair after every strenuous workout?

Your scalp is a continuation of the skin on your body. Many say you shouldn’t wash your hair more than once a week, but this is not the case. “Sweat build up on the scalp can cause scalp spots and lead to blocked hair follicles,” says Pope.

However, if you’ve done a session of Pilates that hasn’t involved excess sweating, you don’t necessarily need to wash your hair if you have done the day previously. “We don’t all have time to wash our hair after every workout, and although this would be preferable as it makes sure that the scalp is clean, applying a dry shampoo is a good alternative (although not a permanent replacement),” says Kingsley.

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3. What is the best way to deal with a long fringe when getting sweaty?

If you’re on a no hair-wash day – a fringe can be your worst enemy. “Unfortunately, there’s no getting around a fringe getting sweaty unless you pin it back,” says Petty. “The hair around your face is typically the finest, most delicate hair. So, you should take extra steps to keep it safe from sweat damage.”

If you can’t stand the idea of pinning back your fringe with bobby pins or hairclips, look to sweatbands that can absorb your sweat before it soaks into your hairline.

Lululemon Women’s Luxtreme Training Headband, £10

4. What are the best hairstyles for long hair?

Johan Hellstrom, hairdresser to Olympic gold medallist Sarah Sjostrom, says “One important factor is to make sure the hair is not put up when wet if you intend to keep it in a bun for a longer period.”

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5. Holy grail hair essentials for exercising regularly

A high-quality hair oil is also integral to your haircare routine. Although you may think it to be counterintuitive by adding more grease to the scalp, “a hair oil can work wonders as a pre-workout treatment. The oil creates a barrier against sweat while hydrating your locks. Best of all, the heat from your workout will help it to penetrate your lengths more,” says Petty.