Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It helps keep your weight under control, increases your energy level, improves your mood, improves sleep, and provides countless other health benefits.
Fitness, diet, and a healthy lifestyle have become integral to modern society. Gyms are full of fitness enthusiasts pursuing a healthier life and a toned physique. While focused on their physical health, many also wonder if their workout routine can result in hair loss.
The Connection Between Exercise and Hair Loss
Exercise or working out at the gym does not cause hair loss. Exercise is typically beneficial for your overall health, including the health of your scalp and hair. However, a few factors could contribute to hair loss if you do not take care of your body before and after your workout.
Sweat and Hygiene
When you exercise, you sweat, and excessive sweating can lead to scalp issues if not properly managed. This sweat can build up on your scalp and clog your hair follicles, leaving them unable to produce normal, healthy strands of hair. Washing your hair and scalp following your exercise routine will help keep your scalp and hair follicles clean, enabling healthy hair growth.
Nutritional Deficiencies
While diet and exercise are integral to any weight loss plan, intense workout routines increase your body's nutritional needs. However, if your workout session is burning up more calories and nutrients than it's receiving, it can lead to a nutritional deficiency.
Nutritional deficiencies can have many effects on the body, and thinning hair and hair loss are often the first symptoms. Ensuring that your diet provides adequate nutrition to match the intensity of your workout routine will help protect the health of your hair.
Stress
While exercise reduces stress, excessive exercise can lead to physical stress and contribute to hair loss. Overtraining for long periods can place your body under high amounts of stress, affecting your overall health, including the growth of your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
Swimming
Swimming has become popular as a workout routine because it is low-impact and uses every muscle in the body. However, it's important to remember that pools use chlorine and other chemicals which can be harsh on your hair. These chemicals are necessary to ensure clean and sanitary water, but they dry your hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage.
Prevent Hair Loss During Workouts
While hair loss and your gym workout aren't directly related, you can take a few steps to protect your hair during gym workouts. To help prevent hair loss during workouts, you can follow these tips:
- Maintain Scalp Hygiene: Wash your hair regularly, especially after intense workouts, to remove sweat and dirt that can clog hair follicles.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your body and scalp hydrated.
- Balanced Diet: Ensure your diet includes essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins (especially B vitamins), and minerals (like zinc and iron) to support hair health.
- Manage Stress: Incorporate relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation into your routine. These techniques can help you manage stress levels, which can impact hair health.
Is Your Gym Workout Causing Hair Loss?
Typically, exercise doesn't cause hair loss. Starting a new routine or increasing the intensity of your current gym routine may put your body under a certain amount of stress, but a few precautions will ensure the health of your hair.
If you are experiencing hair loss and think it may be related to exercise or anything else, our team of hair care professionals can help. Our experienced team can help you determine the cause of your thinning hair and hair loss condition and recommend a solution that meets your needs. Contact us today and schedule your FREE initial consultation to learn how LH Hair can help you keep your full head of hair.
