Worry-free Swimming
Swimming is a fun exercise that helps relax and refresh the body. Whether you swim in a pool or a natural body of water, it’s a fact that frequent exposure to chlorine, other minerals, as well as salt water may eventually damage your hair. Don’t let this stop you though! We’re here to let you know that with a little bit of pre-and post-swimming hair care steps, you can minimize the damage. These hair care tips will ensure the hair remains top-notch as you swim.
Before swimming
Rinse the hair before swimming
Give your hair a good rinse with clean water. The presence of chlorine-free water makes it harder for chlorine water to get through your hair. Wet hair will absorb less chlorine, reducing the chances of breakage.
Apply a leave-in conditioner
A leave-in conditioner will protect the hair from chlorine water damage. It nourishes and creates a protective layer on your hair against chlorine water. Get a hydrating conditioner or tailored made conditioners for swimmers available in the market. Buy a great moisturizing leave-in conditioner from our personalized page on our platform!
Optional: apply a natural oil to create a protective barrier
Natural oil forms a strong barrier against chlorine penetration into our hair strands. The oil creates a water-resistant wall preventing moisture loss and dryness.
During swimming
Wear a swimming cap to prevent chlorine water from getting into your hair. Wet hair and oils are short-term solutions to keeping the hair from damage. If you’re a regular swimmer, we suggest you invest in a solid cap to protect the conditioned hair. This silicone swimming cap provides great protection while being gentle on your head.
For those uncomfortable with wearing a cap, tie the hair on the top of the head, to hopefully minimize water penetration.
After swimming
Wash with a clarifying shampoo
Wash and rinse your hair after swimming. It removes chlorine water and other harmful chemicals and minerals that can cause damage. Use a clarifying shampoo and rinse off with clean water. This swimmers’ clarifying shampoo is especially formulated for swimmers.
Use a deep conditioner
A deep conditioner will nourish your hair and put back the moisture lost during swimming. If you don’t have a deep conditioner handy, let your regular conditioner stay in your hair for 5-1o minutes. Are you a DIY junkie? Access a super deep conditioning recipe on our platform by taking our short quiz and creating an account!
Detangle your hair
Comb through the strands with a wide-toothed brush to reduce frizz and detangle your hair without straining the strands and scalp. It will loosen the tension from the hair reducing the chances of breakage.
Tips on protecting your hair from the use of hard water
Hard water contains a lot of minerals compared to soft water, making it bad for your hair. Let’s look into how to prevent this if you use hard water.Â
Fix filters in shower heads
Shower head filters will reduce minerals and chlorine that your hair will absorb. However, the amount of minerals that you hair will absorb and hold on too is determined by how healthy or damaged your hair is. The more damage your hair has, the more minerals it will hold on to, even if you use a shower filter.
Wash hair with clarifying shampoo
Wash hair once a week to remove mineral build-up and residue. Clarifying shampoo strips the hair of moisture, so be sure to replenish the lost moisture by conditioning your hair.
Masks and leave-In conditioners
Hair masks or leave-in conditioners are an essentials part of any hair care routine, but especially more important if you use hard water. Masks replenish the dried out hair while leave-in conditioners continue to nourish and protect your hair.
Purified Water
For those that like to go the extra mile, there is always the option of rinsing your hair with purified or distilled water as a way to remove as much of the hard water from your hair as possible.
Swim your hair worries away with these helpful tips on hair maintenance and care during swimming and when using hard water. If you’re trying to nurse your hair back after chlorine or hard water damage, book a one-on-one hair consultation with our expert Selam here!
Very good info thanks! Well done easy to follow instructions.