We love leaving
hot yoga class with soaked clothes and wet hair. We earned that sweat! Sweating is the body's way of thermoregulating - when we're hot, our bodies want to cool down. According to
Fitness Magazine, sweating has a multitude of beneficial side effects that help relieve pain, release toxins, control mood swings, prevent colds, and lower kidney stone risk.
While all of these sweat side effects are great news for the body, our hair and skin may suffer a more unsavory sweating aftermath. We met up with Ceiba Winters of
Beauty Guru Ceiba to learn how we can combat the unpleasantries of perspiration.
"Unfortunately sweat is bad for your hair. It is salty and drys the hair out," says Winters. She offers this sweaty hair tips:
- DO - Wash hair immediately after working out with a detoxing, sulfate-free shampoo. If there's no time to wash your hair after, try using a dry shampoo before working out so it will help absorb the sweat and not your hair.
- DO - Wear a headband to help absorb the sweat instead of the hair shaft.
- DON'T - Wear your hair too tight (think loose buns and pony tails instead). Salt from sweat dries out your hair leaving it brittle and hair is most fragile when it's wet.
- DO - Use fabric elastic hair ties. DON'T pull them out, gently undo your do.
- DO - Wear a hat and UV protectant spray if you're sweating outdoors.
- TRY: A nutrient-rich spray (like Oribe) to protect hair before you sweat and to revitalize it after.
When it comes to skincare, "your skin is already super sensitive after a workout," notes Winters. "That's why we get red in the face." She offers these pro tips for sweaty skin care:
- DON'T - Place hot water on the face or scrub it after working out. This will cause broken capillaries and dryness.
- DO - Use a conditioning face wash with lukewarm water.
- DO - Protect your skin from the sun if you're outdoors by wearing the highest SPF possible. Wear a hat and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- DON'T - Wear makeup to class or the gym. You want the skin surface to be as clean as possible when the heat turns up and pores start to open. This is especially true in hot yoga, where the humidity is higher; it's like a facial steam.
- DON'T - Touch your face during your workout and be sure to wash your hands well afterward. Heat and moisture are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, so we are more prone to spreading and catching transferable skin conditions - like athlete's foot (even on the face).
- DO - Work out in cooler environments if you suffer from rosacea. It will prevent capillaries from breaking too severely.
- DO - Use a fresh, clean towel to wipe your face during and after class.
- TRY: Add 12 drops of eucalyptus oil with your non-scented laundry detergent when you wash your sheets and towels. It will kill everything from dust mites to bacteria.
Don't let those beads of sweat scare you. Let it motivate you. Lunge, dance, run, hike, play, and plié your way to a healthier body, and be sure to protect your skin and hair along the way.
It's time to fill up our water bottles and get our sweat on!
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