Our eyes are on the Olympic Games in Paris. When we see the diving, fencing competitions, synchronized swimming or the progress in athletics, we feel like doing sport again and devoting ourselves to an activity that is good for us and keeps us fit. But many small things stop us from doing it: from laziness to reluctance to go back to the gym after a long break from training, from days so packed that we don’t even have five minutes for ourselves, to the weather being too hot or too cold. One of the most absurd excuses? I can’t exercise because I just washed my hair. It may sound strange, but many people still believe that exercise has a negative effect on our hair. Carlos PortinhaDoctor and Chief Clinical Officer of Insparya, a group specializing in hair transplants, helps us common misconceptions and false myths about the connection between exercise and hair healthand shows that the advantages actually far outweigh the disadvantages.
Healthier and stronger hair thanks to increased blood circulation
“Physical activity increases blood flow and thus the oxygen supply to the follicular units, which is important for Prevent hair loss and give the scalp more elasticity,” explains Dr. Carlos Portinha. “In addition, the hair roots are strengthened, which makes the hair shinier and more voluminous.”
Less stress means less hair loss
Prolonged stress leads to an increase in cortisol levels, a hormone that alters proteoglycans, molecules that regulate the normal function of the Hair folliclesAs a result, hair grows weaker and is more likely to fall out before it has completed its natural life cycle. Regular physical activity promotes both increased Sweating of the scalp And as a result, toxins are eliminated through the skin and natural oils are released, which better nourishes the hair roots and promotes healthy hair growth.
Sweat is both friend and enemy
We just mentioned that sweat, which is 99% water as well as salts and other substances, can be a beneficial nutrient, but it can also cause dryness and damage to hair follicles, making hair more brittle and prone to breakage.
If you do water sports, your hair needs special care
According to various studies Bathe is the best sport of all. It is useful for toning and exercising all the muscles of the body, but salt water and chlorine can weaken the keratin fibers, dry out the hair and cause loss of color and shine in the case of highlights and colored hair. How can you avoid this? By taking a freshwater shower before entering the pool to saturate the hair fibers with clean water and thus prevent the absorption of chlorine, and by rinsing the hair thoroughly after swimming in the sea to remove excess salt. Dr. Portinha also recommends Amino acid-based strengthening treatments to protect the hair from negative effects of sea or pool water.
Do you do sports outdoors? Then you need sun protection
We cannot stress this enough: when we are outdoors, even when playing sports, we should always apply sunscreen to our skin and hair. It is important to protect our hair from the sun’s rays, which can cause dryness and hair loss. We can avoid these negative effects by applying a specific product or sunscreen to the scalp and hair lengths.
Do not underestimate the importance of nutrition for hair
Olympic athletes eat a balanced diet and we should be inspired by them, consult a certified nutritionist and follow their advice. Proper nutrition is essential for overall well-beingincluding maintaining healthy hair. Dr. Portinha stresses that this is something to focus on rather than resorting to sports supplements, which “can have the desired effects, especially on hair health. In particular, we advise against the use of anabolic steroids.”
