Safely Working Out After Dyeing Your Hair - Tips and Precautions

Can You Workout After Getting Your Hair Dyed?

If you lead an active lifestyle, you may wonder if it's safe to exercise after getting your hair colored. The short answer is yes, you can safely work out after a salon dye job or coloring your hair at home. However, there are some precautions you should take to protect the results of your fresh hair color.

Tips for Working Out After Hair Dye

Here are some tips to follow when working out after getting your hair colored:

• Wait 24-48 hours before doing strenuous exercise to allow the cuticle to close and oxidization process to complete.
• Pull your hair up in a loose ponytail or bun to minimize friction and keep sweat from dripping on your colored strands.
• Wear a headband or sweat-wicking head wrap to absorb sweat and keep it from saturating your hair.
• Rinse out sweat after your workout and wash hair only 1-2 times per week to make the color last longer.
• Use a sulfate-free color-safe shampoo and lukewarm water when you do wash.
• Limit use of hot tools like blowdryers and flat irons, which can fade dye.
• Protect hair from sun exposure by wearing a hat or using a UV protecting spray.

Why Wait to Workout After Dyeing Hair?

It's recommended you avoid strenuous workouts for 24-48 hours after getting your hair colored. Here's why this waiting period is advised:

• The cuticle layer needs time to fully close and seal in the hair dye.
• Sweat can prevent the cuticle from closing properly.
• The oxidization process that sets and develops the hair color continues for a couple days.
• Friction from helmets, headbands, ponytails, can rub out and fade new color.
• Sweat making the hair wet can dilute and leach out dye.

Letting your new hair color set for at least a day helps ensure the best results. The wait is worthwhile to get the maximum vibrancy and longevity from your dye job.

Is Sweating Out Hair Dye Really a Concern?

Excessive sweating during workouts too soon after coloring hair can be problematic. Here's why you want to minimize sweat-out when hair dye is fresh:

• Sweat makes hair wet, allowing dye molecules to more easily leach out.
• Salty sweat can have a drying effect and lift cuticles so dye escapes.
• Friction from sweaty hair rubbing on skin, clothes, and gear can loosen dye.
• Bacteria and odor in sweat residue can fade color over time.
• Wet hair is more prone to breakage, damaging already compromised colored strands.

Following a proper post-dye waiting period and wearing sweat-absorbing headgear during workouts reduces these risks of sweating out your new tint.

How to Protect Dyed Hair When Working Out

You can take measures to protect your fresh hair color when exercising after dyeing it:

• Pull it back - Secure hair in a loose ponytail, bun, or braid so it moves less and absorbs less sweat.
• Cover it up - Wear a headband, bandana, hat, or sweat-wicking wrap to absorb sweat.
• Tie it down - A silk or satin scarf tied around hair can prevent sweat-out and friction.
• Prioritize low impact - Opt for lower intensity workouts that generate less sweat.
• Rinse after - Shower and rinse out sweat so it doesn't sit on hair and scalp.
• Limit washing - Only shampoo 1-2 times per week so the color doesn't fade too fast.

How Long Should You Wait to Wash Dyed Hair After Working Out?

It's best to wait 12-24 hours after a workout to wash dyed hair. Washing too soon can make color fade faster. Here's why you should wait before shampooing post-workout:

• Hair cuticles are still opened up from sweat and friction.
• Dye oxidization process continues for a couple days.
• Washing while strands are compromised can lead to more dye loss.
• Quick successive washing further drys and damages hair.
• Color has not had time to penetrate and bond within the hair shaft.

Let your hair rest overnight after a workout rather than shampooing right away. This gives your color the best chance to properly set and remain vibrant.

Choosing the Best Workouts to Do After Dyeing Hair

Certain types of exercise are gentler on freshly dyed hair than others. Here are some of the best workouts to choose in the days following your color application:

Walking

Taking a stroll outdoors or on the treadmill generates minimal sweat and friction on your hair. Just be sure to wear a hat or wrap if walking in sunny conditions.

Yoga

Gentle yoga holds and flows allow you to move your body without a lot of head motion or sweat dripping. Focus on relaxing, static poses rather than fast sequences.

Pilates

Controlled Pilates movements on the mat or reformer machine minimize friction on your hair from movement. Pilates is lower sweat than high-intensity workouts.

Barre

The smaller range barre motions target specific muscles without your head needing to move much or generate heavy sweat.

Swimming

If you don’t fully submerge your hair, swimming laps with your head above water can provide a good cardio workout without damage from friction, sweat, or sun.

Low Impact Cardio

Opt for low impact cardio like the elliptical machine, stationary bike, or arc trainer to get your heartbeat up without excessive head movement or sweat production.

Best Tips for Protecting Dyed Hair While Exercising

Here are some top tips for safeguarding your fresh hair color during workouts:

Use a Sweat Headband

Choose a headband made of sweat-wicking fabric that will absorb moisture and keep sweat from dripping onto your hair. Look for no-slip bands that will stay in place.

Bun It Up

Pull your hair up into a loose top knot or bun hairstyle secured with a soft scrunchie. This contains your hair so it moves less and absorbs less sweat during exercise.

Braid It Back

Intertwining your hair into a basic braid keeps it tightly bound and protects colored strands from friction and sweat saturation during workouts.

Wrap a Scarf

Wrapping a silk or satin scarf around your hair not only absorbs sweat but creates a smooth fabric barrier between your hair and any abrasive helmet or gear.

Use Dry Shampoo

Spritz dry shampoo at your roots after a workout to soak up sweat and neutralize odor without having to lather up with real shampoo too soon.

Chill Out

Choose cooler conditions for outdoor exercise to minimize heavy sweating that could compromise your dye job. Workout indoors if the weather is hot and humid.

At-Home Remedies to Refresh Hair After Working Out

If your hair looks flat and limp after exercising with freshly colored locks, give it new life with these simple home remedies:

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water. Gently pour over damp hair after shampooing and rinse out. The vinegar helps bring life back to flattened strands.

Cold Water Rinse

Blast your hair with cold water at the end of a shower for 2-3 minutes. The low temperature helps smooth the cuticle and boost shine to your post-workout tresses.

Leave-In Conditioner

Apply a nourishing leave-in conditioner from roots to ends after washing hair. Let it air dry or gently blow dry. The conditioner hydrates hair and controls frizz.

Hair Serum

Rub a few drops of smoothing hair serum between your palms and apply to the lengths of damp or dry hair. This helps bring luster back and tame flyaways.

Dry Shampoo

Mist dry shampoo at the roots to soak up oils and add volume back to limp locks. Style as usual without having to wash with water.

When to See a Stylist After Dyeing Hair

Schedule an appointment with your hair stylist if you notice excessive fading after working out with freshly colored hair. Signs your dye job needs help include:

• Color looking brassy, dull or washed out
• Dark roots growing in much quicker than normal
• Spots or splotches of missing color
• White or broken hairs multiplying
• Overall dry, porous, frizzy texture

A touch up or conditioning treatment can help revive your color. Be sure to get your hair checked if the vibrancy does not last as long as usual.

The Takeaway

It is possible to safely break a sweat after getting your hair dyed. Allow 24-48 hours for the color to set before strenuous exercise. Pull hair back, use sweat-controlling accessories, rinse out sweat, and opt for gentler workouts. Limit washing for longer lasting color. With some minor adjustments, you can maintain your fitness routine and your fabulous dyed locks.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.