Can I Dye My Hair if I Was Sweating?

Sweat and hair dye may seem like a bad combination, but with the right precautions you can absolutely dye your hair after sweating. Working up a sweat from exercise, sports, or just a hot day outside is inevitable. But it doesn’t mean you have to miss your color appointment.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about dyeing sweaty hair. We’ll cover:

• The risks of dyeing sweaty hair
• How to prep sweaty hair for dyeing
• What kind of dye works best
• Expert tips for great results

Plus we’ll answer common questions like:

• How long to wait after sweating to dye hair?
• Is it ok to dye hair after the gym?
• What happens if you dye sweaty roots?

Let’s start with understanding exactly why sweat and hair dye don’t mix well.

Why You Shouldn’t Dye Sweaty Hair

Sweat causes issues when it interacts with hair dye in a few key ways:

Alters Hair’s Ability to Absorb Dye

The salt and minerals in sweat can temporarily change your hair’s porosity level. This impairs its ability to absorb and retain hair color.

Sweaty hair often resists taking the dye evenly. You may get splotchy coverage with dark patches where sweat was heaviest.

Dilutes Hair Color

Excess sweat dripping down your hair and scalp can literally dilute hair dye as it’s applied.

The color mixture becomes weaker and won’t deposit as vividly or adhere as strongly within your strands.

Speeds Up Fading

Sweat residue left on the hair makes color fade faster. The salt, chlorine, and sunscreen act as abrasives that strip away dye over time.

Can Cause Irritation

When opened by sweat, your hair cuticles allow dye chemicals deeper access to the sensitive skin on your scalp.

This can lead to irritation, itching, redness, and even burning if you have abrasions from sweat.

Now that you know why sweat and dye don’t mix, let’s talk about how to prep sweaty hair for coloring…

How to Prep Sweaty Hair for Dyeing

If you’ve worked up a sweat before a color appointment, don’t panic. With the right prep, you can still achieve beautiful results.

Wash With Clarifying Shampoo

Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove every trace of sweat, salts, oils, and buildup.

Target your scalp to eliminate sweat at the roots. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Apply Pre-Color Treatment

Use a hair masque or pre-color treatment to restore moisture and normalize porosity.

Choose a formula labeled for color-treated or damaged hair.

Blow Dry Thoroughly

Make sure your hair is 100% dry before applying dye. Dampness will dilute and alter the results.

Style your hair as desired and get it fully dry before coloring.

Protect Skin & Scalp

Petroleum jelly around hairline prevents irritation from dye chemicals interacting with lingering sweat.

Wear a cape and clothes you don’t mind getting stained during the coloring process.

How Long to Wait to Dye Hair After Sweating

For ideal results, you want your hair to be completely sweat-free before applying dye. Here are some general guidelines:

• If light sweat from exercise, wait at least 2 hours
• If heavy sweat from sports/outdoors, wait 4-6 hours
• If hair is soaked in sweat, wait 24 hours

The longer you can wait after getting sweaty, the better your color results will be. Overnight is ideal, but if in a pinch even a few hours will help.

Some people wonder – is it ok to dye your hair after the gym? While not recommended, if you must, follow the prep steps above and wait at least 4-6 hours to allow scalp and strands to fully dry. Damp sweat makes dye absorption uneven.

For those with sweaty roots – yes, you can dye only your roots after sweating. Just be extra careful to thoroughly cleanse the scalp area prior to applying color. The skin will be sensitive and absorb chemicals easier when opened from sweat.

What Type of Hair Dye is Best for Sweaty Hair?

If you didn’t have time to wash and dry your hair completely, what dye is least likely to cause issues?

Semi-Permanent Dye

This contains no harsh chemicals, so easiest on sensitive scalp. Lasts through 4-8 washes.

Temporary Color Rinse

Color mists or rinses coat hair but wash out with one shampooing. Fun if sweated at the gym.

Demi-Permanent Dye

Low peroxide makes this gentler than permanent dye. Lasts up to 24 washes.

Permanent Dye

Higher chemical levels make this riskier for same-day dyeing after heavy sweat.

Professional Tips for Coloring Sweaty Hair

Here are some pro tips from celebrity hair stylists for getting perfect results when dyeing sweaty hair:

• “Use dry shampoo at the roots to soak up excess sweat before dyeing.” – Jen Atkin

• “Braid damp hair while it air dries to minimize sweat dripping onto strands.” – Chris Appleton

• “Opt for balayage or babylights over full color to avoid touching scalp with chemicals.” – Nikki Lee

• “Schedule a blowout to get hair totally dry instead of air drying if short on time.” – Riawna Capri

• “If hair feels grimy, do a quick 2-minute rinse with apple cider vinegar before dyeing to remove residue.” – Daniel Moon

Can I Exercise After Coloring Sweaty Hair?

After getting your hair colored, it’s best to avoid sweat-inducing exercise for at least 24-48 hours. Here’s why:

• Sweating right after dyeing causes rapid fading of color. It strips the fresh dye from your hair.

• Chemicals need time to fully set and adhere within your hair for longevity. Sweat removes the dye before it fully deposits.

• Working out makes your scalp hot and tender. This can lead to burning or extreme itchiness after recent dyeing.

• Sweat and chlorine from pools remove the protective sealant on your strands, causing extra dryness and porosity.

Give your fresh color a few days before hitting the gym or getting in the pool. The first week is critical for allowing the dye to stabilize within your hair for maximum vibrancy.

The Takeaway

Dyeing sweaty hair doesn’t have to mean a hair color disaster if you take the proper precautions. Thoroughly wash, condition, and dry hair before applying dye after sweating. Allow significant time for scalp and hair to return to normal baseline.

Stick to gentler semi-permanent or demi-permanent dyes if rushed. And avoid exercising or swimming for 1-2 days after coloring sweaty hair to let the color set properly.

Following these tips will keep your sweat and hair dye from mixing into a damaging cocktail. Instead, you’ll get gorgeously glossy, long-lasting color even after tough workouts. Have confidence that sweat and great hair are not mutually exclusive!