I tried searching but most of the results I got for this suggested things like CO washing or dry shampoo, both things my scalp hates, and they seemed more geared towards a different issue (more to do with how to clean hair without shampoo).
The short version is that since I've started Strong 2, I have three very sweaty workouts a week and two sort-of sweaty workouts a week, and my scalp is rebelling. I'm getting the same yellowish flakes I get if I sleep on my hair when it's still too wet or if I try to use sulfate-free shampoos.
I think the problem is less that my hair needs washed, and more that it needs to not be damp as often/for as long as it is (so washing more won't help!).
More info:
My hair is somewhere between hip and tailbone, and it's 2a/F/iii; if you're not familiar with hair typing, that means it's slightly wavy, fine, and very thick. The length and texture/thickness means it takes a very. long. time. to. dry.
I wash my hair once every 5ish days, which my scalp was fine with until I started sweaty workouts more frequently. I use a gentle shampoo (Avalon Organics - the rosemary one) and condition from the neck down.
With my current schedule, I workout around 5:30-6pm, shower, then make dinner, which works out really well for me for the most part, but it means that on days I wash my hair, it's still damp when I go to bed. On days I don't wash my hair, it's probably still in my workout braid until the next morning ;) (okay, or sometimes the morning AFTER that; WFH life is making me the world's laziest with my haircare)
Things that don't work for my hair/scalp: CO washing, ACV rinses, dry shampoo, sulfate-free shampoo, shampoo bars (syndet or soap), frequent washing.
The things I'm thinking might help are:
- taking out my braid after my workout, scrubbing at my scalp a little with water in the shower (trying to keep the length dry), and then loosely re-braiding before I make dinner
- taking out my braid after my shower, shaking my hair out, and then loosely re-braiding, to help my scalp get some air flow to stop it being damp for too long
But I wanted to see if anyone has any other suggestions; I can't imagine this is an uncommon problem so I'm open to hearing what's worked for other people with tetchy scalps!
Thanks!
ETA: After showering after my workout yesterday, I think I've figured out what the actual issue is. I don't wear a shower cap (nor do I intend to) when I shower after my workout, so my scalp hair DOES get wet, much more so than from sweat alone. And then I leave it tied up all evening/into the next morning. So I think I just need to make sure to take it down and let the scalp hair dry in the evening and it'll be all right!
Sweaty workouts causing an irritated scalp
Hi Blenders!
I tried searching but most of the results I got for this suggested things like CO washing or dry shampoo, both things my scalp hates, and they seemed more geared towards a different issue (more to do with how to clean hair without shampoo).
The short version is that since I've started Strong 2, I have three very sweaty workouts a week and two sort-of sweaty workouts a week, and my scalp is rebelling. I'm getting the same yellowish flakes I get if I sleep on my hair when it's still too wet or if I try to use sulfate-free shampoos.
I think the problem is less that my hair needs washed, and more that it needs to not be damp as often/for as long as it is (so washing more won't help!).
More info:
My hair is somewhere between hip and tailbone, and it's 2a/F/iii; if you're not familiar with hair typing, that means it's slightly wavy, fine, and very thick. The length and texture/thickness means it takes a very. long. time. to. dry.
I wash my hair once every 5ish days, which my scalp was fine with until I started sweaty workouts more frequently. I use a gentle shampoo (Avalon Organics - the rosemary one) and condition from the neck down.
With my current schedule, I workout around 5:30-6pm, shower, then make dinner, which works out really well for me for the most part, but it means that on days I wash my hair, it's still damp when I go to bed. On days I don't wash my hair, it's probably still in my workout braid until the next morning ;) (okay, or sometimes the morning AFTER that; WFH life is making me the world's laziest with my haircare)
Things that don't work for my hair/scalp: CO washing, ACV rinses, dry shampoo, sulfate-free shampoo, shampoo bars (syndet or soap), frequent washing.
The things I'm thinking might help are:
- taking out my braid after my workout, scrubbing at my scalp a little with water in the shower (trying to keep the length dry), and then loosely re-braiding before I make dinner
- taking out my braid after my shower, shaking my hair out, and then loosely re-braiding, to help my scalp get some air flow to stop it being damp for too long
But I wanted to see if anyone has any other suggestions; I can't imagine this is an uncommon problem so I'm open to hearing what's worked for other people with tetchy scalps!
Thanks!
ETA: After showering after my workout yesterday, I think I've figured out what the actual issue is. I don't wear a shower cap (nor do I intend to) when I shower after my workout, so my scalp hair DOES get wet, much more so than from sweat alone. And then I leave it tied up all evening/into the next morning. So I think I just need to make sure to take it down and let the scalp hair dry in the evening and it'll be all right!