Maintaining Your Health and Style
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 00:00
Does your exercise schedule revolve around your salon visits? Are you afraid to increase your cardio workout for fear that you might bust a sweat and ruin your hair? Well, you are not alone. Our hair and exercise is an ongoing issue for many women. The key is to realizing that exercise is not a luxury, but a necessity. Approximately 77 percent of African-American women are either overweight or obese. Studies have shown that nearly 30% of those women have indicated that their hair prevents them from exercising. Yes, sweat is to black hair, as kryptonite is to Superman!
So how do we figure out a way to maintain our style and our health? Here are a few tips:
1. During your workout, avoid covering your head completely. Your hair needs to breathe. Accomplish this with a net or sweatband. Also, ponytails work well to avoid a hot mess at the roots. It's easy to smooth out a few crinkles from the ponytail holder, than an entire head of curly hair at the roots!
2. After working out, be sure to wrap your head before showering. This will aide in the smoothing process. If your hair feels dry or itchy, use a non-greasy light moisturizing lotion or serum and massage your scalp using your fingertips.
3. Frequently working out can make the hair dry and brittle if not washed regularly. Therefore it is important to condition the hair properly. Deep condition the hair at least every two weeks.
4. Try to avoid using heat if possible. Excessive heat can lead to breakage and damage of your hair. Try a Roller-Set instead; it uses less heat and the curls will last you longer!
5. Do NOT use an alcoholic prodcut on your hair prior to working out! Your hair produces it's own sebum which contains acid. Acid combined with the alcohol will eventually ruin your hair.
We need to start living healthier lives. Don't let your hair be the dictator of your health!
