Preparing Your Hair For Swimming

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Question: 

"How do I protect my hair when swimming. I was told to put oil over my hair before getting in the water. Is this right? HELP!!!"
Advice: Summer is upon us and what is a summer without swimming?! Chlorine is found in pool water as a way of disinfecting the water. It helps remove and breakdown bacteria, oil and dirt. This solution removes the natural oils that protect our hair and scalp thus stripping the hair of moisture. Over time this can cause severe over drying, increased porosity and breakage. It is extremely important to keep the hair healthy and protected against the harmful effects of chlorine.

Those Who Have:
  • Color-treated hair
  • Chemically treated hair i.e. relaxer, perm
  • Dry hair
  • Thin/Fine hair
  • Previously damaged hair
Are more susceptible to damage faster and more severely; therefore, you'd want to take extra care to prevent damage.

Ways To Prepare Your Hair Before Swimming:
  • Soak your hair in Chlorine-Free water prior to going in the pool. Your hair is like a sponge, therefore, it will only absorb so much. If you saturate with clean water, your hair is less likely to absorb the chlorinated water.
  • Apply Conditioner and Silicone products prior to entering the pool. Products with high levels of silicone will prevent the absorption of chlorine. You can seal your hair with an oil, prior to applying the silicone, for added protection.
  • Use a swim cap.
  • Rinse your hair thoroughly after exiting the pool. Flushing the hair with clean water will help remove the chlorine and chemicals from the hair.
  • After swimming, shampoo your hair immediately! I suggest ION Purifying Solutions Swimmers Shampoo. This will help remove the build up from chlorine and minerals that have deposited on the hair. It will also help prevent damage. It will restore softness and manageability. It's also sulfate-free.

You Might Also Like

21 comments

  1. Hi Sunshyne, please can u list some silicon products for me. Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By silicone it could be serums, conditioners etc. i.e. Herbal essences conditioners, Aussie Moist etc. As for silicone you can try Fantasia IC Polisher, One n Only Argan Oil serum, CHI silk infusion etc. Hope that helps. Be sure to wet your hair first then apply the product.

      Delete
    2. Yes it helped, thanks :)

      Delete
  2. I love swimming. Great advice.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If I Wash on a certain day can i just co-wash after i swim? just wondering

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No. Co-washing alone will not remove any of the chlorine or chemicals that linger in the hair after swimming. If you decided to swim, I say you schedule it around your wash days, if possible to avoid any damage.

      Delete
  4. Hey Sunshyne i start a swim class in the fall. Previously i would wear my natural hair in braids back to back. But i was not taking care of it like i knew i should due to my class schedule. I stop wearing braids and nursed my hair back to health, cutting the breakage down to 90%. I figure since i have shrinkage ill braid my hair in a beehive and wear a swim cap. After immediately shampoo and condition my hair with swimmers shampoo and aphogee 2 min recon. Rock a cute scarf and wear a wig for the rest of the week and moisturize and seal daily. Will this regimen along with the tips you listed help prevent breakage or damage from the chlorine ? Thanks in advance love the blog : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww thank hun for reading!! Your routine sounds great. The only thing is, using protein may add more dryness to the hair, especially since the hair has already been exposed drying chemicals. I suggest you use the swimmers shampoo, then follow up with a moisturizing deep treatment mixed with oils i.e. coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil etc. for hydration and moisture. Add your leave-ins. Remember to moisturize and seal! Hope that helps :)

      Delete
    2. Yes it really helps. Thank you and much continued success with your blog it really helps all women learn how to take care of their hair
      :^)

      Delete
  5. Thanks!! I just moved into an apt with a pool so this info came right in time!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for this Sunshyne!!! :) I've been getting in the pool the last few days and I did most of what you said: spray/soak my hair with water, apply One n Only Argan Oil then apply Curl Enhancing Smoothie, 2 french braids and go. When I get out the pool, my hair feels sooooo soft. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohh lovely!! Glad to hear it worked out for you :)

      Delete
  7. HEY Sunshyne, i was just wondering if this also goes for swimming in the ocean, or there is a slightly different method?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Swimming in the ocean is different. However, I would still protect the hair with conditioner and oils. Be sure to clarify & condition after as well. You don't have to use a swimmers shampoo though.

      Delete
  8. Can i use ANY clarifying shampoo or it has to be for swimmers/ something like ION?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has to be a Swimmers Shampoo that removes mineral deposits and chlorine. Doesn't have to be from ION though.

      Delete
  9. Hi Sushyne, I love your blog. Very fun and informative. Summer is here and I have a question: is it best to go in a water park with braids or with my own hair? My hair is recovering from a bad breakage and Ihave lots of new growth. Thank you

    ReplyDelete