Be careful not to let the heat of the summer turn your hair into a midsummer nightmare! Swimming can wreak havoc on your head after beach trips, late-night pool dips, and days spent at the lake. Regardless of how minimally processed your hair is or how often you get it dyed, it's critical that you know your hair type and how to properly care for it before, during, and after swimming.
Summertime exposure to chlorine, freshwater, and saltwater can really take a toll on anyone's hair, no matter what their hair type is. In order to help you avoid future hair damage, we've put together a comprehensive guide with the best hair care tips to follow while swimming that will help to keep your hair strong and silky.
Effect of Chlorine Water on Hair
Chlorinated water should be on the top of your list when it comes to protecting your hair from harmful chemicals. Taking proper care of your hair before and after swimming in chlorinated water is essential because chlorine is one of the harshest chemicals your hair comes into contact with on a regular basis during the summer.
Chlorine damages hair's protective cuticles, stripping them of their natural oils and causing them to break apart. Because of this, the hair is brittle, dry, and prone to split ends and breakage. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can irritate your scalp as well as your hair, stripping it of its natural oils and causing dryness, irritation, and an abundance of dandruff.
If you dye or process your hair, whether it's for highlights or to hide your greys, you need to be extra careful about what you're putting in your hair. Chlorine causes hair to become dull and lifeless by accelerating the fading process and removing color-rich pigments. Blonde hair can turn green when exposed to pool water, so you just have to give it an extra treat after a dip into the pool. So now you know what effect chlorine water has on your hair. Let's jump to know some effective hair care tips to follow while swimming.
Also read: Amazing Benefits of Swimming
Tips for Protecting Your Hair While Swimming
Here are some of the most effective tips that you must follow to protect your hair while swimming.
1. Ensure to rinse and rehydrate your hair before and after swimming thoroughly
Showering before entering the pool is recommended by the pool staff for a good reason. Aside from keeping your hair from becoming damaged by chlorine, this is an important step in ensuring that no dirt or oils from your body end up in the water. This is one of the foremost and important hair care tips to follow while swimming.
Rinse and rehydrate your hairBecause your hair strands absorb the clean tap water or non-chlorinated water before entering the pool, the amount of chlorine absorbed by your hair is reduced.
After a swim, it's always a good idea to thoroughly rinse your hair with fresh water. You can use a clarifying shampoo to get a deeper clean out of it.
2. Cover your hair
Cover your hairThere are a lot of cute, retro-inspired swim caps out there that you can wear to the beach or the pool. Your hair will not come into contact with water at all if you use this method while swimming. This is one of the effective hair care tips to follow while swimming. For those who don't want to wear a swim cap, we strongly advise tying your hair up and keeping it out of the water whenever possible.
3. Do not use hair styling products before going for a swimming session
It's important to note that hair styling products have chemicals in them that can react with chlorine or salt in the ocean. It's also a problem when you're swimming in freshwater because they tend to tangle your hair, allowing bacteria and dirt to hide right next to your scalp. To avoid trouble, get rid of them as soon as possible, or wash them thoroughly afterward. This is a great tip for protecting your hair while swimming.
4. Put oil on your hairs
Put oil on your hairsNatural oils protect our hair, but they can't always do the job. Your hair is doubly protected when it's slathered with oil like jojoba, coconut, olive, or argan oil. However, you should keep in mind that if you're going to be out in the sun, you should cover your oily scalp with a cap to prevent it from cooking. Allow the oil to soak in for about 15 minutes before jumping to the pool. This is among the best tips for protecting your hair while swimming.
5. Moisturize your hairs properly
Moisturize your hairs properlyProtecting your hair with conditioners, penetrating oils, and pre-treatments is no problem. They're all good options. They can offer some protection, but the best way to ensure that your hair is not stripped of its moisture is to moisten it beforehand. Choose some heavy oils like castor oil or mineral oil or silicones, or even shea butter for this task. You can also help your body fight back by drinking plenty of water.
6. Use a wide-toothed comb
Use a wide-toothed combSwimming problems will get much worse if you rip your hair into tatters. If your hair gets tangled easily, invest in a wide-toothed comb to detangle it. This is among the best hair care tips to follow while swimming. Hair that is naturally curly or kinky requires extra care because it is more prone to dehydration.
Also read: Swimming vs Running
7. Do not use shampoo before going for a swimming session
If you're going for a swimming session, then do not use shampoo before completing your laps in the pool. More of your own oils will naturally remain in the hair as a result of this step, which is exactly what your hair and scalp need. This is a great tip for protecting your hair while swimming. Just be sure to clean the area afterward thoroughly, as the oils will work against you, and the filth or deposits will build up over time.
8. Follow post-swim hair aftercare routine
When you get out of the pool, it's especially important to watch out for chlorine damage to your hair. Before it can do any damage, chlorine can be removed from your hair and skin during your post-swim shower and hair routine.
As an additional step in your post-swim hair care routine, here are some of our recommendations that you must follow:
- Use a clarifying shampoo and a leave-in conditioner to get rid of the chlorine water and clean your hair.
- While you're getting dressed, let your hair air dry completely. Avoid using blow dryers, as they will cause your hair to dry out even more. Using a microfibre towel, gently blot any remaining water from your hair.
- Use a detangling brush made for wet hair to remove tangles gently.
Conclusion
So these were the top 8 hair care tips to follow while swimming. You must ensure that while swimming, you follow all these tips so that your hair can stay strong and silky and you can enjoy your swimming session without any stress.
