How to Protect Your Hair From Damage While Swimming
Swimming is a fantastic form of exercise: it ‘s a low-impact, full-body workout that improves cardiovascular endurance . Not only that, it’s a classic summer activity for kids and adults that’s good for your health and mood. However, swimming is not so good for hair . Salt water and chlorine dry out hair, leading to breakage; it can wash out the color for those who have dyed hair; and people with blonde hair may find that swimming in chlorinated water can turn their locks greenish.
However, with the right hair care, you won’t have to choose between your favorite workout or a leisurely swim and healthy hair.
Wear a swimming cap
One way to protect your hair from the harmful effects of chlorine or salt is to minimize your exposure to these chemicals. An easy way to do this is to wear a swimming cap. You will need a swim cap that fits snugly and keeps out the water.
The most popular options tend to be made from latex or silicone , as they are water resistant, compared to lycra or polyester caps, which are not particularly waterproof.
Moisturize your hair before bathing
Before entering the water, it is important to first moisturize your hair with either plain water or hair oil. As celebrity stylist and dpHue co-founder Justin Anderson recently told the Mind Body Green website, “Your hair absorbs oil or fresh water first, minimizing the amount of chlorine or salt water your hair absorbs.”
Rinse your hair immediately after bathing
The longer your hair is exposed to chlorine or salt water, the more damage will be done . To minimize this damage, you should rinse your hair as soon as possible after getting out of the water. Most pools have a shower where you can rinse off.
If that’s not an option, make it a priority once you get home.
Add extra moisturizers to your hair care routine.
Even with precautions, your hair will need a little extra care, which means adding some products to compensate for the extra dryness . It can be a hair oil, a moisturizing leave-in conditioner, or a hair serum.
For people with blonde hair, you may want to consider a swimmer-specific shampoo to keep them from getting that telltale greenish tint. If using these shampoos designed to remove chlorine, leave it on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it out.