Sweat, friction and tight ponytails are tough on curly hair — and washing after every workout is not the answer either. With a few protective habits, your curls can survive the gym intact. Here is why workouts are hard on curls, how to protect them, and what to do after.

Why Workouts Are Hard on Curls

The curl challenge: the the-sweat-affects-curls (the sweat affecting curl pattern and moisture from the care-guide logic — the sweat-affects-curls), the the-friction-causes-frizz (the friction from movement and gear causing frizz from the care-guide logic — the friction-frizz), the the-tight-styles-cause-damage (the tight ponytails and styles stressing the hair from the care-guide logic — the tight-styles-damage), the the-over-washing-dries-curls (the washing after every workout drying out curls from the care-guide logic — the over-washing), the the-curls-need-protection (the curls needing protective habits around workouts from the care-guide logic — the need-protection), and the reframe (the workouts as hard on curls through sweat, friction and tight styles — with washing after every session not being the answer either, but protective habits letting curls survive intact).

How to Protect Them

Protective workout habits: the the-loose-protective-styles (the loose buns, braids or protective styles over tight ponytails from the care-guide logic — the loose-styles), the the-soft-hair-ties (the soft, snag-free hair ties from the care-guide logic — the soft-ties), the the-a-headband-or-wrap (the a headband or wrap to absorb sweat at the hairline from the care-guide logic — the headband-or-wrap), the the-keep-hair-off-the-face (the keeping hair off your face and neck from the care-guide logic — the hair-off-face), the the-pre-workout-moisture (the moisturized hair before the workout from the care-guide logic — the pre-workout-moisture), the the-avoid-tight-tension (the avoiding tension and tight styles from the care-guide logic — the avoid-tension), the the-protect-the-ends (the tucking and protecting the ends from the care-guide logic — the protect-ends), and the the-a-style-that-holds (the a style that holds through the session from the care-guide logic — the style-that-holds).

The Post-Workout Notes

After the workout: the the-do-not-wash-every-time (the not shampooing after every workout from the care-guide logic — the not-every-wash), the the-rinse-or-co-wash (the a rinse or co-wash instead of full shampooing from the care-guide logic — the rinse-or-cowash), the the-refresh-the-curls (the refreshing curls with water and product from the care-guide logic — the refresh-curls), the the-dry-the-scalp (the drying the scalp to avoid sweat sitting from the care-guide logic — the dry-the-scalp), the the-moisturize-and-condition (the moisturizing and conditioning to restore from the care-guide logic — the moisturize), the the-take-styles-down-gently (the taking styles down gently to avoid breakage from the care-guide logic — the gentle-takedown), the the-a-routine-that-suits-your-curls (the a post-workout routine suited to your curl type from the care-guide logic — the your-routine), and the frame (the protecting curly hair when working out as loose protective styles, soft ties and a sweat-absorbing headband — refreshed rather than over-washed after — sweat-proof your curls. Use loose protective styles and soft ties, wear a headband, and refresh rather than shampoo after every session).

Sweat, friction and tight ponytails are tough on curly hair — and washing after every workout is not the answer either; with a few protective habits, your curls can survive the gym intact. Workouts are hard on curls because sweat affects them, friction causes frizz, tight styles cause damage, over-washing dries curls, and curls need protection. Protect them with loose protective styles, soft hair ties, a headband or wrap, keeping hair off the face, pre-workout moisture, avoiding tight tension, protecting the ends, and a style that holds. After the workout, do not wash every time, rinse or co-wash, refresh the curls, dry the scalp, moisturize and condition, take styles down gently, and follow a routine that suits your curls. Sweat-proof your curls.