Does anyone have anything special they do -- or recommend -- if they are going to be engaging in activity that gets them extraordinarily sweaty?

Or does it even matter? I went horseback riding today and when I took off the helmet my hair was absolutely DRIPPING with sweat...and I had to wonder, if I do this often, what kind of effect it will have on my hair.

Any thoughts about ultra-sweaty activities?

Ella

When I used to do sweaty workouts with hair not yet at my waist, I would put it in a cinnamon bun with four mini claw clips. At waist or longer, I did this:

Gather the top half of the hair into a swirly bun (I have instructions on this board somewhere) and secure with a hairstick. Take the rest of the hair and wrap it around the bun, securing with four mini claw clips all around. This lasts the for the whole workout for me.

These days I have stopped doing sweaty workouts; I prefer yoga and bellydancing. For the first I put my hair in a bun, and for the second I like buns, braids, or even hair that is down.

Ah yes.....helmets create a special challenge for long hairs.  When I bike home in the afternoon, my head is a sweaty mess.  I've found that wearing a lightweight "scull cap" that is made of a moisture wicking material helps in two ways.  One, it protects the hair from the helmet itself (bike helmets have straps, clasps, and other hardware that likes to attack hair.  Two, it wicks the sweat away from the head and hair, so that you are not dripping wet when you finish.

I buy my caps online through bicycling sites, and most bicycle shops carry them as well.

Ooooo, good topic!

I have shortish hair (mid-neck or so). I wear 2 pigtails when I work out. French braiding would probably work too, just to keep hair in place while jumping around. I just recently got a Vespa, so I am also trying to find solutions for helmet hair.  :-/ I'm thinking that French braiding is the way to go until hair is long enough to braid normally. Have you tried that?

As for the sweat attacks, I reckon that Bikerbraid's solution is about the best you can do. At the MC shops I've been to they've all recommended those moisture-wicking caps to 1. Keep you drier and ultimately cooler and 2. Extend the lifespan of your helmet. Considering I just forked out over $200 for one, I sort of want it to last!

Let us know how those caps work if you try one out!

/Kate

Moisture wicking cap? Oooooooooooh, that is DEFINITELY what I need. I'm going to look into that, because I sweat like a MADMAN whenever I work out and end up with slimy, dripping hair.

Thanks so much! That should help!

Ella