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.
If left on your scalp and hair too long, sweat can throw off your pH balance and cause these problems: Sweat-soaked hair can cause your locks to become stretched and easily damaged. Sweat and your scalp's sebum oil can harm your follicles and block your pores, blocking new hair growth and triggering hair loss.
“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.
If you let sweat dry in your hair after your workout, it can damage your hair. The reason for this is because when sweat dries on your scalp, it leaves a residue that can clog your hair follicles with damaging bacteria. There's also the issue of the large amount of salt that's in sweat.
For those with straight or wavy hair, Justin says to put your hair up in a loose bun after you have finished your workout, then quickly blow dry on a cool setting to get rid of the sweaty roots. For those with curly hair, says Justin, the best way to refresh your curls is to mist with water.
You don't have to shampoo every day.
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.
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.
“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.
All that sweat from your workout will cause bacteria and yeast to build up, so if you don't shower, you don't rinse those bugs off and may have an increased risk of irritation and infection, Deirdre Hooper, M.D., a dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, LA, previously told Shape.
How does sweat affect your hair? Sweat travels down the hair shaft, spreading oils and dirt down the hair with it, which can make the hair look dull and greasy. Plus, a sweaty scalp is a warm, humid microclimate that's perfect for the dandruff-causing fungus, Malassezia globosa, to thrive.
Expert take: “For those who are sweating a lot, it may be easier for the scalp to become dirtier than normal,” says Dear, adding, “And with this comes the chance that the hair follicles become clogged, which is never good.” Use a proper shampoo and conditioner two to three times per week for high-intensity exercises.
Body odour [can be] caused by sweat and bacteria when left too long without showering.
-Blow dry the sweat out.
So yes, after a workout you want to blow dry the sweat out as soon as you can (the more the sweat air dries the harder it will be to salvage IMO) and use the dry shampoo. I like to blow dry it first and then when it's no longer soaking wet, then put on the dry shampoo.
As far as hair is concerned, I think more blood flow to your hair along with the sweat makes them look shinier and better than the days when you don't exercise.
The no-poo method involves forgoing shampoo containing detergents that strip your hair of its natural oils. Your hair won't smell, because you're still cleansing it. Research the best shampoo alternatives for you: water only, conditioner only, coconut oil, ACV and baking soda, or a no-poo product.
Instead of using shampoo on the daily after you've got all sweaty, simply use the water-only method and then use an alternative shampoo once or twice a week. Your hair will be relieved after being used to all that washing with conventional shampoo.
For starters, washing with just water may not be effective in removing all the dirt and oil from your hair. This is especially true if you have a naturally oily or greasy scalp, as water alone will not break down the oils as effectively as shampoo would.
Sweating from your scalp helps unclog your hair follicles, allowing room for new hair growth. It also opens up the pores on your scalp, releasing any buildup inside your pores that could be stunting the growth of your hair.
Sebum buildup appears as white or yellowish oily residue on the scalp. It sometimes produces flakes on the scalp and may be mistaken for dandruff, scalp eczema, or psoriasis.
Use dry shampoo
The holy grail of sweaty hair. The old school way used baby powder to soak up sweat and oil. While baby powder works, it's also a little messy and difficult to hide if you have darker hair. Luckily the beauty industry has stepped up and developed some great, lighter dry shampoos that actually work.
Gonzalez. “If you are someone who engages daily in sweat-inducing activities, you will likely need to shower every day,” she says. People who exercise regularly should shower regularly, or at the very least freshen up post-workout until they can bathe.
Post-workout cleansing is a must to wash away sweat, stink, and blemish-causing bacteria. When you can't shower, wipes are the next best thing.