Today's post is about hair.
We all know exercise is good for the body and the mind but sometimes, it can be a little damaging too. One thing that can get damaged easily through training is your HAIR; tying your hair tight can cause strain on the hair and the roots... salt build up from sweat can lead to hair drying out and eventually hair breakage... Also, for those of you who swim regularly the chemicals used for cleaning the pools can harm hair. Chemicals like chlorine, for instance - a disinfectant used to clean pool water -can strip your hair of it's naturally produced nutrients and oils.
TIPS TO AVOID DAMAGE
-Tie hair loosely and avoid metal elasticated hair bands - try hair ties or srunchies.
-Tie hair away from the neck an back area to prevent sweat attaching
-Wash hair regularly, especially after training
-Use oils and hair serums after washing hair to prevent dull and lifeless dry hair and not just from training but from excessive washing. You can get these oil EVERYWHERE now; from supermarkets and using the oils in the food aisles, to poundshop's and Primark's and even encapsulated in shampoos and conditioners all ready for you! You can also dab your hair with oil before tying it up t avoid breakage from a harsh hair band.
-Give your hair a break; wear it down where possible, even if this is just to sleep and mix up where you tie the hair band; tying it the same place constantly will weak that area of hair.
-If you can, rota a big moisturizing session - by this I mean when you know you're not going anywhere for a few hours or even when you know you will be in the house for a while regardless of whether your house cleaning at the same time - saturate your hair in a hair mask, a moisturizing hair cream or even just your normal conditioner and leave it on for at least half an hour.
-If you're a regular swimmer and refuse to wear a cap invest some money in swimming specific hair products. It's suggested that conditioning hair in products containing silicone in before swimming can prevent the hair from absorbing the chemicals found in the water or shampoo your hair after swimming with products which contain thiosulfate which supposedly dissolves the chlorine and stops it from oxidizing you hair.
