Swimming Swimming…5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Hair

There’s nothing like jumping into a swimming pool to cool off…but, what’s great for the body can prove hazardous to your hair! Most swimming pools use chlorine, a harsh chemical used to break down bacteria and oils and keep pool water clear. Unfortunately, it also strips oil and moisture from your hair making it extremely dry and damaged and can even cause lighter hair to take on a greenish tone.

Though everyone should protect their hair, those with color treated, chemically processed, thin, fine or dry hair need to be especially cautious. Here easy ways to keep your hair healthy:

1. Wear a swimming cap. Obviously, if the water can’t get to your hair, it can’t be damaged.
2. Pull hair up on top of your head to keep it from getting wet and don’t submerge.
3. Rinse your hair with clean water before entering the pool. Your hair is porous like a sponge. By getting its fill of fresh water, it’s less likely to absorb the chlorinated pool water.
4. Shampoo, Rinse, Repeat. As soon as you step out of the pool shampoo your hair. If you can’t wash it immediately, rinse well to remove most of the chlorine and stop the damage asap. Clarifying and chlorine-removing shampoos are recommended but they shouldn’t be used too often as they can be drying as well. Click here for some shampoo and conditioner suggestions.
5. Replace lost moisture with conditioners. Condition after shampooing but also use leave-in conditioners daily and deep conditioning treatments bi-weekly to keep hair healthy and shiny.

(photo courtesy of fashiongonerogue.com)