What is good for our condition and figure can seriously harm our hair. It turns out that regular intense exercise at the gym may contribute to excessive hair loss. The reason is, among other things, the stimulation of hormonal balance that occurs during intense training.
Training at the gym undoubtedly has many advantages. It not only allows you to build muscle mass or ensure efficiency and endurance. Regular exercises under the supervision of a specialist allow you to achieve your dream figure, improve your well-being, are good for your spine, and also strengthen your heart and immune system.
These people should be especially careful
However, it is worth knowing that physical exercise – if excessive – may affect the condition and appearance of your hair. Exercises temporarily disturb the body's homeostasis and stimulate the hormonal balance, says Anna Mackojć, a trichologist from the Institute of Trichology.
This is especially important for women who have specific health problems: polycystic ovaries, too little progesterone or too much prolactin in the body. For them, intense exercise may cause additional hormonal disorders, which may result in hair loss.
In turn, in men, too intense strength training leads to the release of testosterone, which turns into DHT, causing miniaturization of hair follicles, and in the case of men who are additionally genetically burdened, baldness is almost certain.
– Testosterone levels after exercise usually increase for 15 minutes to an hour. For example, the cardio exercise we often do at the gym causes the transduction (conversion) of testosterone into the destructive form dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for hair follicles. This process takes place under the influence of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is responsible for the miniaturization of hair follicles and is the cause of androgenetic alopecia in men. In women, it also has a negative effect on hair follicles, causing gradual hair loss. – explains Anna Mackojć.
Care and changing habits will help
Do you have to give up training because of this? Absolutely not, says the specialist. However, since hair is very sensitive to such stimuli, it is worth using natural blockers that inhibit the activity of the mentioned enzyme, such as nettle, green tea, saw palmetto extract or pumpkin seed oil.
After intense exercise, you must wash your hair thoroughly, as excess sebum production may also increase hair loss. And, as Anna Mackojć says, it is also worth closely observing your body – this especially applies to women with hormonal imbalance, because they should choose exercises carefully. According to the expert, in some cases, brisk walking, light fitness or swimming will be better than intense exercise.
