Workout/sweating and skin/hair problems-need advice

famousmel
famousmel Posts: 149 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I haven't been much of a "sweater" for 20 years now and am having trouble adjusting. Any ladies out there have tips for my developing (face) acne and trying to limit washing my hair to 3-4 times a week? My face feels greasy all the time (I use a scrub 3x/week, and towellettes the other days). I have naturally curly hair that doesn't air dry the best so it takes some work and does not benefit from over-washing. I usually only sweat around my hairline, so maybe a sweatband (would that make it worse?) or a dry shampoo?
I hope this doesn't seem insignificant. As I work out more, it's becoming a time issue and I don't want to let something like this slow me down!!

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    edited March 2016
    My curly hair doesn't like to be washed more than once a week either. I find I can just wash with conditioner only and then use shampoo once a week. Conditioner-only washing doesn't harm my hair, and it leaves a little perfume smell. I wear my long hair up a lot of the time anyway.
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    Dry shampoo all the way! I'll also vary my hairstyle according to how dirty it is. Down the first day or two, ponytail after that. On washing days I do the most cardio since I am going to wash my hair.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,749 Member
    Not insignificant at all! This is an important aspect of your fitness routine to figure out.

    If possible, wash (or use towelettes) before and after you workout. Also, use a clean towel to dab your face while working out and try NOT to touch your skin with your bare hands. After touching the germy equipment it will only transfer to your skin.

    My hair is naturally curly as well so I only shampoo it 3 times per week. I use dry shampoo the other times. Tip: maybe this was just me as I tend to not read instructions, but you have to wait until your sweat dries to use dry shampoo. If you spray it on wet hair it will just get all sticky and clumpy.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I have curly hair. I use shampoo once every 7-10 days. On nearly every other day, though, I have to wet it in order to get it looking right again. It's not long enough to pull it back in any presentable way. I just run conditioner through it on those days.
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
    You don't have to shampoo every time you shower. I shampoo maybe 3x a week, but any day I work up a sweat I will have a lukewarm shower, just water, to rinse off.
  • Dula73
    Dula73 Posts: 29 Member
    I'm struggling with this too! My skins never been so bad and my hair has dried out and got really fragile from wearing it up and getting sweaty.

    Great tip about not touching your face after using equipment, I may have been doing this so I'm going to make effort not to from now on!
  • JeepHair77
    JeepHair77 Posts: 1,291 Member
    I wash my hair about every other day - even if I get pretty sweaty after a run, I can usually use a little water in my hands to kind of rub through my scalp, in the hopes that I can rinse off the sweat.

    Your skin - that one's hard. I wonder if the scrub is irritating your skin? I used to break out a lot - I seem to have aged out of it (just in time to start wrinkling - great) but especially when I'm working out and sweating a lot, my skin seems to be way too sensitive to use anything abrasive. I'd try something gentler and use the same routine every day.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Wash your face properly so you're not leaving a greasy residue on your skin, that might help?
  • lesleyloo7879
    lesleyloo7879 Posts: 439 Member
    For you Curly haired girls try using DEVA CURL products, I use it on my daughter and it has worked rather well for her. As for the skin trial by error sorry
  • famousmel
    famousmel Posts: 149 Member
    I love the My Fitness Pal community!!! I was hoping at least one person would have responded:) I will dry these out and report back.
  • tahxirez
    tahxirez Posts: 270 Member
    I def subscribe to the 1-2 washes per week club. The other days I shower and massage my scalp with conditioner. I have to condition either way since I have very fine, soft and oddly curly hair so it gets tangled within seconds. I use Proactive which has honestly been a godsend for me personally. I also moisturize constantly which is a step I often skipped in my youth. Good luck OP!
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    I use an oil free facial foaming cleanser after working out and anytime I remove my makeup. I also wear sunscreen every day. Sometimes I work out midday and reapply makeup so some days I use the foaming cleanser twice a day. I have noticed my acne is less when that is the case. Using regular body soap during the shower does not seem to have any impact on my acne.

    Can't comment on the hair thing, I have really flat, straight hair so often shower 2x a day if I worked out earlier and my hair doesn't care either way.
  • Brithicks
    Brithicks Posts: 148 Member
    I wash my hair once a week. I workout 7x. I shower my body after getting sweaty, then cool blow-dry any residual sweat. Then style and go. I use dry shampoo if I start to look greasy. On day 4 I do an apple cider vinegar rinse on my hair and scrub my head a bit. Then back to cool blow dry for sweat and dry shampoo if needed. Day 7 I wash with a really good shampoo and conditioner. Every 2-3 weeks, I wash with a super clarifying shampoo and deep condition the ends. It's been working nicely for me. I have a pretty intense face routine since I have super sensitive skin but also breakout especially when I workout more intensely. I find drinking more water than I think I need to helps with the skin too, though.
  • musicfan68
    musicfan68 Posts: 1,143 Member
    I can't believe everyone that can just wash their hair once a week. I have to wash mine every day, especially after a workout. I sweat a lot. Wish I could only do once a week.
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