How to take care of your hair if you play sports?

"What should I do with my hair after the gym? Modesta, I like to exercise every day and every workout leaves my hair looking greasy, which means washing it daily. Years ago this didn't worry me: my hair was full of vitality, I let it air-dry and that was that. But over the years I've noticed weakness and a loss of density. I'm afraid I might damage my hair by washing it every day, or even encourage hair loss. Could you give me a solution?"

Hair that goes through a workout and a wash every day doesn't have to worry you, whether you're a man or a woman and whatever your age: you just need to pay attention to it and give it the care it needs. Today we share the keys that will let you show off amazing hair after exercising, and we show you the best ritual.

How should you care for your hair when you exercise?

Hair is made of "non-living" material, so after exposure to different aggressors it doesn't react more or less immediately the way skin does — but in the long run, it does. After weeks of exposure without a suitable ritual, its appearance suffers: it becomes weaker, drier, more fragile, less manageable and dull-looking.

The scalp can also suffer from frequent washing with products that don't suit its needs, which can cause itching, tightness and/or irritation.

To be able to exercise every day and keep a healthy scalp and beautiful hair that's "full of life", you need to look after it and establish a good care ritual. Today we share all our recommendations so you can train every day and still enjoy a healthy scalp and beautiful hair.

How should you care for your hair before exercising?

• Tie your hair back gently, keeping it off your face as much as possible. If you're a woman with long hair, a ponytail, braid or bun are the quickest, most comfortable and most on-trend options. Remember not to pull them too tight, to avoid hair loss or traction alopecia, and to place them at the right height so you can keep a correct posture during floor exercises.
  
  You can use this moment to apply a hair treatment with an oil such as H10 Sublime Oil. Applied to the mid-lengths and ends, as well as reducing friction between the fibres it protects the hair during washing. Once your workout is over, brush and wash your hair as usual.
  
  If you're a man and you train every day, you can get yourself a headband like the one Rafa Nadal usually wears, or go for a haircut that suits your routine: both are good options for training and looking chic.

• Always wear a swimming cap for water sports. Latex, silicone or fabric: they all have their pros and cons, so your own preference comes first here.
  
  
• Avoid make-up and very rich creams near the hairline: combined with sweat, they're likely to cause facial blemishes, and we never like that ;)
  
  
• If you're going to exercise outdoors, remember that UV rays are not good for your hair, just as they are not good for your skin. The sun dries hair out as well as making it more fragile and brittle. And if your hair is coloured, UV rays can oxidize the fibre and make things worse. Remember to always protect your hair with a cap when you train outdoors — not too tight, to avoid friction and reduce sweating.

How should you care for your hair after exercising?

• Remove any traces of sweat, salt, chlorine... when you finish. Salt or a heavily chlorinated pool is what can damage your hair most, causing dryness and a lack of shine. We recommend washing your hair with a shampoo with gentle cleansing agents that can remove residue and rebalance the pH, which is thrown off balance if you've been sweating. Remember to use lukewarm water, always the best choice, so the hair fibre doesn't become dehydrated.
  
  Use a shampoo designed for washing your hair every day. And is there a shampoo like that? Yes: our H01 Frequent Use Shampoo, with a high percentage of ingredients of natural origin together with actives that have a moisturizing, soothing and refreshing effect — a shampoo much loved by all our sportiest customers, along with H05 Solid Shampoo, perfect for taking with you.

• Gently massage your scalp every time you wash. Because we're convinced that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, our whole hair care line includes ingredients that balance and improve its condition. Just one shampoo application will be enough for your hair to feel loose, light, silky and not at all weighed down. Leave the shampoo on for a few minutes and use that time to massage your scalp before rinsing. Remember that you can always combine your frequent use shampoo with your treatment for oiliness and/or hair loss.
  
  
• Don't forget that applying conditioner after washing is essential. Its aim is to improve the look of hair that is rebellious by nature: after applying it, hair is softer, easier to detangle and responds better to the hairdryer, straighteners and styling. We recommend H08 Leave-in Conditioning Spray to finish softening your hair without weighing it down or making it look dirty. It's easy to apply and combines perfectly with your favourite shampoo. Your hair will look clean and soft every day.
  
  
• If you train very often, keep a flattering cut and style that doesn't need lots of styling products, or lots of hairdryer or straightener time — your hair will thank you! Keeping the mid-lengths and ends healthy and moisturized stops your hair from seeking out moisture from the air and prevents frizz.
  
  
• Another option is to use dry shampoo: it can get you out of a fix quickly and easily, leaving your hair looking fresh and clean. We encourage you to try it so you get to know its effects and it can help you out now and then.
  Two keys when using a dry shampoo after exercising:
  - Always use it once the sweat has dried.
  - Distribute it evenly so you don't overdo it, and apply it only to the roots.
  
  
• If you haven't sweated much, you can skip the wash: maybe you can't wear your hair down, but you can wear it up. Sweat doesn't dry hair out as much as chlorine or salt water, but it's true that it takes away that clean-hair feeling.

Silky, shiny hair that falls naturally is the hair we want — and now it's possible when you exercise, too!