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Hair Care for Athletes: Strategies For Protecting and Repairing Your Hair
Athletes often have specific hair care needs that differ from the general public. With the sweat, chlorine from swimming pools, and other chemical products used in the sport field, athletes need to have special attention for their hair. Caring for your hair is important because it helps create a certain look that can add to your confidence when participating in a sport. Here are several strategies for athletes to protect and repair their hair from the damage it can suffer from sport activities and equipment.
Basic Hair Care Habits for Athletes
- Use natural shampoos and conditioners. Synthetic chemicals found in some hair care products can be damaging to your hair.
- Avoid using a lot of heat on your hair. Heat can dry out and damage your hair, so use a hairdryer and other hot tools sparingly.
- Rinse your hair with water after any contact with pool chemicals, or other chemicals used on the court. This will help get rid of any residue, and keep your hair healthy.
- Tie long hair back with a scarf or a headband, to keep it out of your face and avoid having it pulled during an intense activity.
Strategies for Protecting Your Hair
- Wear a swimming swim cap. Swimming is an incredibly strenuous activity that involves exposing your hair to chlorine, a chemical compound that can dry out your hair and leave it brittle. Wearing a swim cap can limit the amount of contact your hair has with the pool water, and keep the chlorine level down.
- Try to avoid using gels and sprays. Hair products such as these can build up on your hair and scalp, and leave them prone to itching, flaking, and other skin irritations. Consider avoiding hair products with these ingredients.
- Invest in a quality heat protectant. If you need to use a hairdryer or any other heat tool, use a product like a heat protectant spray, or a leave-in habit protectant, to protect your hair from the heat.
- Cover your hair when you play outside. Whether you’re playing soccer or participating in a race, your hair can be subjected to intense winds and cooler temperatures. Wear a hat or a headband to protect your hair.
Strategies for Repairing Your Hair
- Choose a hair mask or treatment once a week. These products can be a great way to help your hair repair itself and can help you to restore softness and shine to heavily damaged hair.
- Use leave-in conditioner. Using a leave-in conditioner regularly can help your hair to stay hydrated, and can help repair split ends and keep your hair healthy.
- Trim your hair regularly. It’s important to trim your hair regularly to get rid of any split ends that might have happened due to the rough activities you do. This will also help keep your hair healthy and will help it to grow faster.
- Avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet. Wet hair is much more fragile than dry hair, so it’s important to be careful when brushing your hair. Use a wide-toothed comb to remove tangles, and wait until your hair is dry before brushing it.
As athletes, it’s important to remember that our hair needs special care. Sweating, intense sun exposure, and chemical substances can all damage our hair, so it’s important to find the right balance between protecting and repairing it. Regularly care for your hair using natural products and dedicate some extra time each week to do a hair mask or treatment. Not taking care of your hair can lead to scalp irritation and dryness, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect and repair your hair.
