Body building haircare: make your locks as beautiful as your body with these professional tips to avoid bad gym hair

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Oct-Nov, 2002 by Shanti Sosienski

Any gym regular knows the symptoms: Dry, brittle, Flyaway hair that never Feels clean, even when you wash it daily. It just doesn't seem Fair that the more you work to get your body in shape, the worse off your hair is. You may be tempted to cut it all off, but only a lucky Few women can pull off today's cute, punk-rock-meets-pixie hairdo. If you have long locks and want to keep them lustrous, read on.

operation shampoo

In general, washing your hair every day isn't good for the hair cuticles and can cause dry, flyaway hair. "The natural oils in the scalp are very good for your hair, and need a day or two to travel down the length of your hair, especially if it's longer," says Michelle Trepte, a stylist from Trim Salon & Gallery in Venice, California.

Working out may be good for your skin and scalp, explains hair stylist Robert Stuart from the Robert Stuart Salon in New York City. but not your hair. "Aside from improving your blood circulation, exercise makes you sweat, opening your pores and releasing toxins. However. perspiration is composed mostly of salt, and salt on the hair is never a good thing." he explains. That's why he calls thoroughly cleansing the hair after every workout a must. He recommends a shampoo like J.F. Lazartigue's After Swimming ($19) because it has a salt neutralizer. Phytologies' Phyropanama ($18) is also designed for frequent use.

"Of course, a lot depends on the texture of your hair," Stuart adds. "People with dry. thick, coarse hair and a dry scalp can get away with just a rinse after a workout, but people with oily scalps need a shampoo after a good sweat."

Trepte doesn't believe that shampooing after every workout is necessary. 'Although it varies from person to person. I usually recommend that most people wash their hair every other day." She explains that you can get your hair clean and minimize the damage in other ways. "I often tell people to wet their hair with fresh water before working out, especially if you're swimming in chlorinated water or salt water. If the hair shaft is wet with fresh water, it will take in less of the salt water, chlorine water or perspiration." She also recommends thoroughly rinsing your hair with fresh water after a workout, then putting a light conditioner on it. "This won't totally get your hair clean, but you can get a lot of the salt Out with fresh water and the conditioner will help moisturize it."

For frequent washing. she suggests M.O.P.'s Pear Shampoo ($3.25, 8 oz.), a light baby shampoo, or professional products that have a lot less alkaline. Alkaline is the cleaning agent in most shampoos that can dry out hair if you wash often, but it's also what gives your hair that squeaky-clean feeling. Shampoos with less alkaline will feel less foamy, but that doesn't mean your hair isn't getting clean.

tips of the trade

Lisa Lowe, a former pro fitness competitor, is very familiar with the dilemma faced by women who work out often and have a lot of hair. A hairdresser by trade, she has spent many years getting pumped for competitions and battling gym hair of varying lengths. "Most people with straight, fine hair wash their hair every day if they work out a lot. In cases of African-American hair like mine or if you have a mixture of wave and tight curl, you may not want to wash your hair every day because the drying effect is much worse." she notes.

Lisa recommends not washing your hair every day if you can get away with it--even if you're working out. This advice is easier to follow if your hair isn't long. "Right now I have short hair, but this doesn't work for everyone. If you're competing in fitness competitions, it's important to have a style that makes you look feminine."

To make your straight hair look cleaner and help rid it of salt after exercise, try toweling it dry and, f you have time. blow-drying it. Lisa suggests. "If you have dry, wavy hair, you don't want to brush it since it will poof. and brushing will take out any curl you had before your workout." she notes. "Let your hair dry naturally and stick to towel-drying around your forehead."

action plans

Lifestyle just too hectic for a high-maintenance hairstyle that demands a post-workout shampoo? Trepte recommends Sebastian's Dry Clean Only ($15). a light spray you can use between shampoos around your hairline to help your hair smell clean. Another trick she suggests is to wear a fabric headband while working out to hold loose pieces of your hair back. as well as soak up the sweat. "Not only will this help mop up some of the perspiration that would otherwise sit in your hair, but it also keeps perspiration and hair oils off your face and shoulders. which helps protect your skin from acne.

In general, the best ways to care for your hair will vary from person to person, and discovering what works for you comes from trying new things. No matter what products you may choose, remember that a healthy diet, eating well, drinking plenty of water and staying in shape will help keep your hair strong and shiny.