Are you a gym-goer or home fitness lover wondering whether you can wear hair extensions while working out?
You’re not alone!
In fact, many of our clients are worried about being able to carry on their active lifestyle while wearing extensions.
The reality is that there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about exercising with extensions. But fortunately, that’s all they are: myths!
Yet, if you’re exercising regularly, doing intense workouts, swimming, or jogging, there are a few essential precautions you should take to protect your beautiful extensions.
Pre-workout
Before heading to the gym, to the swimming pool, or the park for a long walk, ensure you follow the steps below:
Apply a thin layer of leave-in conditioner onto the hair
Applying a leave-in conditioner will prevent your hair from tangling, keep it hydrated during your workout session, and create a protective barrier against sweat. When picking your conditioner, always ensure you’re selecting a sulfate-free product.
Wear your hair up
Sweat contains salt, which can lead to dehydrated hair extensions. So, avoid contact with your skin and, therefore, sweat as much as possible. For instance, you can put your hair in a ponytail. However, don’t make your ponytail too tight to prevent the sweat from setting in and keep your hair from tangling. To avoid damaging your natural hair bonds, don’t tug your hair. If you choose to wear it in a high bun, make a ballerina bun rather than a messy bun.
Are you wondering why?
Wearing a ballerina bun will make it easier for you to remove the bun after the workout, preventing you from having to pull on the strands. If you wear curly extensions, try creating a pineapple or gently holding the hair with a large clip. This will help protect your curl pattern and prevent tangling while you workout.
Swimming workouts require an extra step
If you’re planning on going into salt or chlorinated water, the best thing to do is to wear a swim cap. That’s because salt and chlorine can significantly dry your hair extensions and increase the risk of breakage. Now, we know that a swim cap is not the most glamorous accessory at the beach! So, if you can’t (or won’t) wear a swim cap, make sure to soak your hair in fresh water first. You can then generously apply the leave-in conditioner before diving in. This will help protect your hair against salt and chlorine.
Post Workout
Wash your hair after an intense workout
The normal pH level for hair is between 4.0 and 5.5. But when you sweat, your pH levels naturally rise, leading to frizzy and brittle hair. It then becomes more susceptible to breakage.
So, even if you wore your hair up during your workout, it’s important to wash your hair extensions after intense exercise. This will allow you to remove sweat buildup, restore normal pH levels and keep your hair looking great! Make sure to use recommended sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Sulfate can strip your hair extensions of their oil and moisture and cause them to break and even fall. Besides, if you often swim in a chlorinated pool, apply a deep conditioning mask at least once a month to keep your hair shiny and soft.
Note that you should only wash your hair extensions 2 to 3 times a week. Try to schedule your hair washing around your exercise sessions.
Dry Your Hair
Once you’ve washed your hair, the next step is to brush it to keep the extensions smooth and tangle-free. And when doing so, be careful not to tug on the bonds.
The second step is to part your hair and start blow-drying the roots first using a low setting. You can then slowly move towards the ends. Note that your hair extensions should always be completely dry before you go to bed. So, if you decide to wash your hair extensions before bed, make sure to fully dry them before hitting that pillow.
Follow these tips, and you’ll easily be able to protect your gorgeous hair extensions during your workout sessions ;) After all, while keeping fit should be hard work for your body, it shouldn't be hard on your hair!
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