Sport, shower, hammam: protecting your blow-dry
It all comes down to one word, water, and a little organisation.
By Manel, M BRUSH5 min read
N° 03
Styling and care
The essentials
A blow-dry withstands moderate exercise if the hair is tied loosely and the roots are dried on cool air straight afterwards. Shower warm, briefly, under a cap with the door open. The hammam, saturated with steam, undoes any blow-dry: better to go before your appointment.
A blow-dry does not mean putting your life on hold. You can exercise, shower, go out in hot weather, as long as you know what each situation does to your hair.
The principle comes down to one word: water. Whether as sweat, steam or splashes, it is water that undoes the shape set by heat. The rest is a matter of organisation.
| Situation | What undoes it | The right reflex |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Sweat at the roots | Cool air straight after |
| Shower | Steam | Warm, brief, door open |
| Hammam | Saturated steam | Before the blow-dry |
| Swimming | Water, chlorine | After the event |
Why water undoes a blow-dry
During a blow-dry, the section dries stretched over the brush, then cool air sets it. That shape holds as long as the hair stays dry. As soon as it takes on moisture again, it gradually returns to its natural state: roots that fall flat, lengths that wave, frizz.
The volume finish is particularly affected, because everything happens at the roots, exactly where you sweat first. A well-protected volume blow-dry keeps its height; roots soaked in sweat collapse in moments.
Sport: yes, with method
It is not about giving up your session. It is about choosing the right moment and the right moves.
Plan your week.An intense session, running, indoor cycling or a very cardio class, is best placed before your blow-dry. On the following days, favour yoga, Pilates, walking or light strength work.
Tie it loosely.A high bun held with a silk scrunchie, rather than a ponytail that leaves a mark. A fine headband, placed without tightening, absorbs sweat from the forehead. No cap.
Dry straight after.Before the sweat dries on the roots, undo the bun, lift the roots with your fingertips and pass a few seconds of cool, even warm, air over them.
If the roots still feel a little damp or greasy, a touch of dry shampoo rescues a great deal. We explain how to apply it in the article on dry shampoo after a blow-dry.
The shower without losing your style
The shower is the discreet enemy of the blow-dry. It is not direct water that causes the most problems, but the steam that rises and seeps everywhere.
- Wear a well-fitted shower cap, with your hair gathered in a loose bun inside.
- Take a warm, short shower. The hotter the water, the more steam there is.
- Leave the door ajar or the ventilation on, so the steam does not linger.
- Step out of the bathroom to get dressed and style your hair, not in the mist.
Hammam and sauna: the limit to know
Let us be clear: the hammam and a blow-dry do not mix. The hammam is saturated with wet steam, and no cap truly protects hair in that air.
Within minutes, the roots swell and the lengths return to their natural texture.
The sauna, with drier heat, is a little less destructive, but intense sweating has the same effect on the roots.
The simplest solution is the order: hammam or sauna first, blow-dry afterwards. If you are planning a wellness day, book your blow-dry for after, or for the next day.
Hammam or sauna first, blow-dry afterwards: it is the order that makes all the difference.
Pool, lake and heat
Swimming puts an end to a blow-dry, inevitably. Even with a cap, water eventually seeps in, and chlorine or lake water dries out the fibre. If you have a blow-dry for an event, keep swimming for afterwards.
In high heat, it is sweat that causes the problem. Tie your hair up during the hottest hours, avoid touching it and keep a small bottle of dry shampoo in your bag.
Our summer tips by Lake Geneva are gathered in the article on blow-drying in high heat, before or after the lake.
Planning your appointment wisely
The best protection is often the calendar. A few pointers:
- Before an event: book the day before or the same day, and place your intense session before the appointment rather than between it and the event.
- If you exercise every day: the soft finish, more forgiving, ages better than volume when the roots sweat.
- Before a holiday: a blow-dry the day before you leave sees you through the first day, until the first swim.
To know what to expect in normal conditions, read our guide how long a blow-dry lasts.
Book your volume blow-dry
Booking takes two minutes online: length, volume finish, available slot.
Nothing is paid online, and no deposit is required. If your sporting schedule changes, you can cancel or reschedule by giving at least 24 hours' notice.
Come with clean hair, without oil, serum or styling product: roots still laden with sweat are not clean roots. The only effort of the day: sitting down.
Ready to keep your volume, even on the move? Book your volume blow-dry.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you exercise on the day of a blow-dry?
- Yes, preferably before the appointment. Afterwards, choose a gentle activity, tie your hair loosely, and dry the roots on cool air straight after.
- How do you shower without damaging your blow-dry?
- With a well-fitted shower cap, warm water, a short shower and the door ajar to limit steam.
- Does a swimming cap protect a blow-dry at the pool?
- Not completely: water and moisture eventually get through. Keep swimming for after your event.
Did you enjoy this article?
Send it to a friend who is hesitating between two finishes, or keep it for later.
