So I've been coming to Sunstone since sometime early in March, and this is the first time I've ever practiced yoga in a hot room. I LOVE all the obvious benefits, but I think all the time soaking in the heat/humidity/my own sweat/whatever else is totally trashing my hair! My hairdresser noticed it was kinda dry a couple of months ago, and when I went back to see her 2 weeks ago we had to take a couple of inches off the back and even then I can see my ends turning to fuzz in front of my eyes. The upshot is that it's DRY, really dry, and my usual technique of avoiding its dryness by not washing for 3-4 days doesn't work so well now because it's always coated with sweat after practice. I don't use a hairdryer, so the damage is clearly coming from the practice room. My otherwise excellent hairdresser hasn't really seen this before, and I'm sure anything I learn can help her as well.

The same kind of thing used to happen when I was a swimmer, but when I swam 7 days a week I could coat my hair with this great water-resistant oil product and then tuck it under a cap, which more or less protected it from the water and chlorine and stuff, and then I could wash it all out and get on with my life. I don't think that the same product is appropriate for yoga, because (1) oils usually have some scent, pleasant or not, and those get amplified in the studio, and (2) I am a serious sweater and I worry about the effects of oils running down my face (ew), blocking the sweat glands and their lovely cooling properties, and (3) maybe getting all over the towels and mats and trashing the studio's stuff and (4) maybe making my feet slippery (I know we're supposed to be able to do Triangle on ice, but I don't want to test it this way) and interfering with the postures that I already struggle enough with--plus lying down in that puddle for the floor series (ew, again!). So:

I figure there are LOTS of experienced Sunstone yoginis (and yogas) who might have some advice. Specifically anyone who has fine, wavy hair with highlights--or who styles hair and has knows something about treating this mess. Please don't be afraid to suggest specific products; I figure this is just a discussion forum and not an advertising firm, so hopefully naming names won't violate any rules. I will say that I just invested in a tube of Bert's Bees Avocado Hair Masque: I think it's supposed to be used for dry, thick, ethnic hair; but the surfer girls I knew in California all loved it, and their hair got subjected to similar conditions of heat, water, and salt. If I have any luck with that, or anything else I'll share in case anyone else is having similar problems. Thanks!!

Hi There,

This is one of SSY teachers' great dilemmas =) I, and other teachers I know, have tried many things and different things work for different people.

I have found that shampooing less frequently is the answer for me. I rinse my hair after every class and go back and forth between a baking soda solution (1TB diluted in a liter of water) and an Apple Cider Vinegar solution (1Tb diluted in a liter of water) on the days that I don't shampoo. I know several teachers who don't shampoo at all any more. Ever. But that doesn't work for my baby fine super straight hair. I actually find that using the Baking Soda solution 1x/week and the ACV solution 1x/week gives my hair a lot more body and manageability.

Your scalp might continue to overproduce oil for a while (it's used to being stripped by shampoo) but it'll balance out in a couple of weeks and you won't NEED to shampoo daily (it's a vicious cycle lol).

Other things teachers have tried: Dry Shampoo, Dream Drops (or any silicone drops I guess), a little coconut oil on the ends before class, going in with wet hair. These are all I can think of but I bet you'll get many tips on this thread!

Hello,
I had the same problems when I first started hot yoga (i have the opposite kind of hair though, thick wavy, and naturally pretty dry) but I found that putting a hot oil treatment, or deep conditioner, on my hair once a week when I went into the room seemed to help. If you wear a pretty wide headband/scarf and put your hair in a bun you won't have any problems with it running down your face (really focus on getting it [the treatment] more on the ends of your hair than the roots). I never noticed that the smell was really magnified by the heat, and it really helped my ends. But also if you try not to shampoo everyday and just condition your hair after practice that might help as well. Hope these help a little.

I have long blonde hair, medium thickness and have found that a good leave-in conditioner after every shower helps fight the frizz. I am a HEAVY sweater and teach 2-3 classes a day. I started with Garnier leave-in but it was too greasy. I switched to BedHead Ego Boost a year ago and have had no problems since

Good luck!

Marci's suggestions are great. I've never tried the backing soda/ acv thing that Jillian is talking about so I can't speak to that one from experience. I have naturally curly hair and I just rinse & condition after class. I don't shampoo everyday- usually every other day. When my hair is longer I wear it in a bun/bobby pins with a large headbands (the yogi toes ones we sell at the studios are my favs!) Try not shampooing all the time. I also use a deep conditioning treatment for my hair every few weeks. Good luck! Just remember that your routine has changed so your beauty regimen needs to as well. Don't be afraid to experiment with leave in conditioners or moisturizing cream styling products.

Thank you both! First, for the confirmation, and second for the suggestions. I shampoo as little as possible, but the apple cider vinegar and baking soda solutions sound both effective and (yay!) cheap. I also should say that I tried the Burt's Bees stuff on my hair and I noticed as significant difference today. I'll try putting a little on my ends and see what happens.

Another product that may work for you is Jungle, by LUSH it's a solid conditioner that can apply to your hair before yoga practice, it will sort of melt in the heat and condition, then all you have to do is rinse it out after pratice. I have fine hair too, and this seems to work for me. You can order this online or the Galeria mall has a store.

You might also try moroccan oil. I recently started using it and I love it. I also do not wash my hair every day, just rinse and now use moroccan oil. Though it is not the cheapest stuff, it does not take very much at all. My hair is fine and very thick. It does not make your hair feel greasy either.

I actually use moroccan oil on my hair too.

So far, so much better! my hair is much less straw-like and seems to be frizzing less, even given the heat. What seems to be working most is adding lots of moisture every step along the way. I work at Whole Foods, so I'm sure I can find Moroccan Oil there.