‘I had no idea this was a thing’: Woman attends heated Pilates class—then she realizes how it may be ruining her hair
A woman has a PSA for all of the girls taking heated Pilates classes: Make sure to use heat protectant on your hair. Otherwise, it may end up getting damaged during class.
TikToker Sher (@sherbabyyyyy) learned from a classmate that “ prolonged exposure in heat will damage and dry out your hair.” This is especially true for color-treated hair, as according to Sher, the heat causes even more damage over time to it. Her video has gotten over 463,000 viewers, with thousands of people chiming in.
Commenters added their thoughts, saying that leave-in conditioner and heat protectant should be a mainstay when attending any heated classes. But, if that’s the case, why haven’t more people issued PSAs?
What are the best haircare tips for heated Pilates?
Hot Yoga and Hot Pilates have similar humid, sweaty rooms that can actually have positive hair effects. The heat can open hair cuticles, leading to bouncier, open hair and a little bit of curl. But the heat can also dry out or damage unprotected hair, especially if it’s treated.
According to an online blog, it’s good to be cautious and use a leave-in conditioner. That way, hair remains hydrated and smooth rather than damaged and brittle. Blogs also recommend having a looser hairstyle that isn’t necessarily clunky. For instance, a loose braid rather than a tightly wound one will still keep hair out of your face while making sure you’re not damaging your hair.
Some hair stylists generally recommend heat treatment and leave-in conditioner every day, not just for classes. Commenters, too, said they noticed a difference when using heat protection generally rather than just in hot conditions.
“I always recommend a leave in conditioner [and] heat protectant on the daily,” one stylist added. “ [I use] the k18 one on wet chemical treated hair. The unite shine spray is an aerosol has uva uvb protection can go on dry hair. But yes any sauna, heated class please be putting in a hair mask prior!”
Another commenter said, “I wear heat protection in my hair everyday! I live in [Arizona], but I 100% can tell the difference on days that I forget to put heat protectant in and just go outside and than the days that I do put it in!”
Generally, some form of hair oil or conditioner is a must. Most hot yoga, vinyasa, or heated Pilates enthusiasts might not put in heat treatment specifically. But for colored hair, it can be incredibly helpful to get the positive benefits of the treatment without the drying side effects.
Wait, do heated classes cause wrinkles?
Some commenters mentioned an unsettling fact that even made Sher stop in her tracks for a moment. Heated classes may actually cause premature aging and wrinkles.
Generally, heated classes with actual heaters have aging effects, as overexposure can be as damaging as UV rays. Research shows that people exposed to more heat in their day-to-day jobs have increased hyperpigmentation. As it turns out, 30 minutes of exposure “three times a week” can be enough to cause skin damage such as wrinkles and age spots.
So, for those who are especially sensitive to the sun, like individuals with rosacea or people with pre-existing skinspots, it’s actually recommended to avoid heated classes altogether. Heated classes’ thermal aging can be a huge blindspot for some and cause long-lasting effects down the line.
@sherbabyyyyy I had no idea this was a thing ? #hotyoga #hotpilates #heatedworkout #pilates #yoga ♬ original sound – sher | social media manager
The Mary Sue reached out to Sher via TikTok direct message for comment.
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