While it can make us feel a little gross, sweat is nothing but water and small amounts of salt, urea, ammonia, and sugar. It is our body’s way of cooling itself down when our temperature rises. We sweat when it is hot out, when we exercise, if we have a fever, or if we are anxious. Excessive sweating is a condition known as hyperhidrosis, and it’s not always connected to the usual reasons we sweat. It can cause a person to sweat enough to soak their clothes or drip off their hands.
Is Sweating Good for Hair?
Sweating can actually be good for your hair! Various toxins and waste particles in pores on the skin are flushed out thanks to sweat. Sweat from your scalp can actually help to unclog hair follicles and open up clogged pores. Regular exercise, which generally leads to sweating as a byproduct, also produces endorphins (hormones that are responsible for increased feelings of pleasure and reduced pain) which have been found to encourage hair follicles to grow freely.
Does Sweating Cause Hair Loss?
While sweating has been found to be occasionally good for hair and hair growth, an overall lack of hygiene can dampen those positive effects. Not showering or cleaning off the sweat can lead to a salt build-up that can be harmful to your hair. This build-up also contains lactic acid that can lead to hair loss and breakage when it is mixed with the keratin in hair. Sweat glands can also mix easily with bacteria and lead to fungal infections.
The important take away is these negative outcomes are a result of lots of sweating and leaving it to sit on the scalp for extended periods of time. So, a person should generally always try to shower off the sweat after a big workout or any activity where they sweat heavily. Leaving the sweat and other detritus on the scalp can lead to a scaly, itchy film over the scalp called seborrheic dermatitis.
Additionally, there is presently no connection between night sweats and hair loss. Though, if both are occurring, you should consult a physician as there may be some underlying cause.
Does Washing My Hair Help Hair Growth?
Maintaining a good hygienic routine to remove unwanted oils and particles from the scalp is good for hair growth. It is not so much the washing as it is about the cleanliness of the scalp.
Most people tend to wash their hair a few times a week or every other day. There is only what is right for an individual’s specific hair type, and the frequency generally depends on factors like physical activity, age, ethnic background, hair type and texture. The most important thing you can do when it comes to sweat and hair is to maintain healthy hygiene habits and establish a routine that works best for your hair type.
Get Help With Your Thinning Hair
If you are noticing a decrease in hair volume, a widening part, or receding hairline, come in for an examination to diagnose the precise issue. At L.A. FUE Hair New York, we customize each treatment plan to the individual. Our team has more than a decade of experience to help you make the best and most informed decisions possible concerning your treatment. Together we will craft a strategy for realizing your hair restoration goals. Contact us today to set up an appointment to begin your hair restoration journey!