Hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness Explains Why You Should Be Blow-Drying Your Sweat Into Your Hair
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Heat and humidity have often been the killer of many great hairstyles. Normally our first reaction when sweat disrupts the 'do is to wash our hair and try a new style — however, this sweat may not be as bad as we think.
Jonathan Van Ness, hairstylist and founder of JVN Hair, thinks that sweat has some benefits to the hair and should be embraced. Known for their time on Netflix's "Queer Eye," he knows a thing or two about how to hair to properly care for hair.
In a TikTok video, they recommend instead of washing your sweaty hair, blow-dry it into your hair. "Sweat for your hair is really good," he says in the video. Not only may it add nutritional and conditioning value, but by blow-drying your sweaty hair, you also stop yourself from over-washing the hair, a process that has the potential to ruin your hair over time.
The benefits of blow-drying your sweaty hair
In the TikTok video, Jonathan Van Ness explains that despite how negatively we think about it, sweat can be really good for our hair. They explain that when we blow-dry sweat into our hair, we add extra nutrition. "Your hair actually loves it," he explained in the video. "Plus, the sebum that your sebaceous oil glands make in your scalp — your hair loves that sebum. It's like a mother nature's conditioner." So instead of washing your hair after every workout, hit your roots with the blow dryer and see how well it works for you.
However, sweaty scalp is not good for everybody's hair. "If you have any kind of scalp condition, such as dandruff, eczema or psoriasis, sweat can make it worse," certified dermatologist Dr. Alpana Mohta told Vegamour. Additionally, "if your hair is already dry, sweat can further strip it of moisture and lead to breakage," Mohta notes. It's recommended that those dealing with skin issues take a break from exercises or anything that causes excessive sweating until the condition clears up.
The problem with over-washing your hair
If you work out or sweat every day, you may not want to follow it up with a hair wash, as over-washing your hair can do more harm than good. While we all have different hair textures and needs, when we wash our hair daily, it can cause damage and breakage. Celebrity stylist Tonya Le told Insider that over time, people will notice how their hair health will decline, including the ends of their hair appearing more frayed. "If you seem to be getting more split ends than usual, this could also be a sign of over-washing," Le told Insider. "Wet hair is so extra susceptible to damage and breakage, so the more you wash it, the more opportunity it has to break."
Your hair can also feel very dry to the touch, and this could be due to the overuse of shampoo. "A total lack of moisture from stripping oils can also cause a dry, flaky scalp, and as your scalp dries out, so does your hair," Le explained to the publication. Dr. Anthony Rossi, assistant attending dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology Association, told CNN that his patients wash their hair no more than twice a week. If you have chemically treated hair, due to its dry nature, he recommends washing your hair no more than once a week.