We all know how chlorine can affect our hair. It turns it green and makes it fall out! But what if you don’t have access to good hair care products and you want to keep your natural tresses protected while swimming? We’ve got some ideas on how to protect your natural hair from chlorine damage and the best swimming hairstyles for protecting your locks from harmful chemicals in the water. Keep reading!
Overview
If you have natural hair, then it’s important to protect your strands from chlorine. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can do this.
- Use a deep conditioner or leave-in conditioner before swimming: This will help your hair retain moisture while protecting it from chlorine damage. You can also use oil as a moisturizer to help lock in all the moisture you need for the day’s activities and add shine as well.
- A mask made with coconut oil: This is another great option for protecting hair from chlorine exposure. Here, the rich texture will seal in moisture while keeping strands healthy looking and strong throughout the day.
How to Protect Your Hair From Chlorine Damage
Whether you’re a swimming aficionado or not, having natural hair is a beautiful thing. It’s also tough to keep in tip-top condition if you’re always going to the pool or beach. Luckily for us, there are many ways to keep your hair looking great without using harsh chemicals like chlorine and saltwater. Here are seven of my favorite tips for protecting your natural hair from chlorine damage:
#1. Rinse and Wet Hair Before and After Swimming
Chlorine can damage your natural hair, so it’s best to rinse with water before and after swimming. If you don’t have time for a full shower, moisten your natural hair with a swimming cap or towel. This will keep them moisturized and protected from chlorine and other chemicals in pools like salt water or hot tubs that could injure your skin if they get into your pores (particularly if you use shampoo).
#2. Swim in Outdoor Pools
Swimming in outdoor pools is better for your hair.
Why? Too much chlorine kills the good microorganisms that keep your scalp clean and healthy, making you sick. Swim in an outdoor pool to avoid chlorine damage to your hair.
#3. Put Long Hair in a Ponytail
When it comes to chlorine, long hair is more likely to be damaged than short hair. To protect your natural hair from chlorine and keep it looking healthy and beautiful. Put your long locks in a ponytail before swimming. If you have long hair that tangles easily, use a swim cap after swimming.
#4. Wear a Swim Cap
To choose a swim cap, check the label. Look for chlorine-resistant or allergy-free materials like silicone and rubber to avoid skin irritation. Look for hats with elastic bands to secure a ponytail or bun if you have wavy hair. If you’re just swimming in your backyard pool, any hat will do—just make sure it fits securely.
Put on a swim cap: Once you’ve found what appears to be the correct type of cap, fasten it around your head. Simply pull back on both sides until they meet each other evenly across the top of your head. This should help keep everything nice and tight while still allowing free movement around underneath (and over) them.
#5. Use Gentle Shampoos
A gentle shampoo does not contain sulfates, which are highly drying and can cause damage to your hair. Sulfates are found in most shampoos, so if you’re looking for an alternative, try getting a sulfate-free brand from your local health food store or online.
If you have curly hair, it’s important to keep this in mind when choosing a shampoo. Some people prefer products with a lot of lather, but others prefer ones that clean well without leaving residue. You want something gentle enough to not strip your scalp’s natural oils but effective enough to cleanse without drying out the follicles.
#6. Use Swim Spray
Swim spray is a leave-in conditioner that protects hair from chlorine. It’s easy to use and can be used before swimming or after swimming to keep your locks feeling soft and smooth.
To apply swim spray:
Wet your hair thoroughly with warm water. Then apply the product to towel-dried hair using your hands or a wide-toothed comb. Make sure you get all of it! You don’t want any parts left out! If you need to, spray those areas again with the product before moving on.
#7. Apply Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and Other Natural Oils to Your Hair
You can also use coconut, olive, or other natural oils to protect your hair. They may not keep chlorine out of your hair as well as shampoo and conditioner, but they should help prevent damage.
You’ll want to apply these natural oils before swimming in them and again after swimming with them on. This is because some chlorine penetrates the skin easily when it comes into contact with water vapor. These substances don’t evaporate like water, so they keep operating even after being exposed for a long time, which might cause major damage if you’re not careful.
Can I Put Vaseline in My Hair Before Swimming?
If you’re looking for a product that can help protect your hair from the effects of chlorine, Vaseline is an excellent choice. It’s easily absorbed into the hair and keeps it hydrated, making it easier for you to maintain a healthy head of locks. It also helps prevent sun damage by blocking out UV rays from entering your scalp. This means that even if you have naturally dark skin (or are planning on wearing sunscreen). There’s no need to worry about damaging yourself with this product.
How Do You Prepare Natural Hair for a Pool?
You can use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair. A clarifying shampoo is the first step in protecting your natural hair from chlorine. This will help get rid of any buildup that could be causing damage, as well as neutralize the smell associated with chlorine.
If you don’t want to use a clarifying shampoo, then try using deep conditioning treatments or leave-in conditioners instead! These products are made specifically for chemically treated hair and will work wonders at keeping it healthy while swimming at the pool. You should also make sure that you have some type of heat protector on before going into an indoor pool environment. Heat protectors are applied after cleansing and styling, so they won’t interfere with how well your products work together.
Swimming Hairstyles
We all love to swim, but it can be hard to pull off the style that you want. Luckily, we’ve got a few different swimming hairstyles for you!
#1. French Braid
French braids are a great way to keep your hair out of your face and make it look fresh. They are also easy to do, so if you’re nervous about getting them in the first place, don’t be! Here’s how:
- Get two sections of hair that you want to braid together. These can be from different parts of your head or even different lengths if you want something fancier. You can use a comb or brush as well if needed but we will focus on using our fingers here because they’re easier than brushes and combs when it comes down to doing these kinds of things.
- Start at the bottom by pulling up several strands from either side toward each other until there is enough space between them to make an angle where one strand meets another. If they start changing shape during this phase, don’t worry too much because everything else will adjust correctly, but keep track because otherwise, nothing would make sense later on.
#2. Double French Braid
To do a double French braid, you need to start with the same style as your regular French braid (i.e., one section of hair on top and two sections underneath). Then, you can either tie it off at the end or leave some sections loose so they fall in front of your face.
If you want to use this hairstyle for swimming, choose long hair because it will be more secure and easier to work with when wet. If possible, choose tousled waves instead of straight ones; this will help keep things neat while still looking natural.
#3. Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid is a great option if you want to add some volume and texture to your hair. It’s also great for those who don’t have much time for styling because it only takes about five minutes to complete the whole look.
To do this style:
- Make sure all of your hair is tamed down before starting. This means brushing it with fingers or a comb and making sure that there aren’t any knots sticking out from underneath layers of detangling spray or mousse.
- Separate strands of hair until they reach eye level, starting at any portion of hair on one side (we recommend starting at the side closest to the ear). Then cross them over each other diagonally over both sides of the head, creating two portions in front (the top half) and bottom half). Continue separating more strands until they reach shoulder height—you should now have four pieces total: front left side, front right side, back left side, and back right side.
- Repeat step 2, using two more sections of hair from each region to make five total. The end product should look like an upside-down U shape with each piece crossing over another like crazy legs crossing over each other while holding hands behind backsides in yoga class—without any sweat.
#4. Topknot
To make a topknot, start by gathering your hair into a high ponytail. Wrap the ponytail around itself and secure with bobby pins or hair ties. This may be done with long or short hair—just keep an eye on how much length you need for either side of your head before starting! Allow two braids to dangle over one shoulder for added glam and versatility.
Next comes styling! Shampooing is crucial since oils will keep those braids looking fresh all day without becoming too greasy. Just don’t forget to wash them separately from other portions of your body since they’ll have different needs than conventional bathing suits! After that, we recommend gel-like styling mousse like this one to give texture without making things too crunchy after a long day at work.
How Do Olympic Swimmers Protect Their Hair?
Olympic swimmers use a swim cap in addition to their hairnet. The swim cap is made of latex or plastic and covers the head, ears, and neck. It also allows for ventilation of the head area so that your skin doesn’t get too dry or hot under the cap.
You can buy ready-made swim caps at any sporting goods store or online retailer that sells swimming equipment. If you wear one with velcro for a long time, it could irritate your scalp. Instead, choose ones with adjustable straps that fit firmly around your head yet allow some flexibility while swimming laps.
Summary
Above all else, make sure you protect your hair from chlorine. The most important thing is to start using good products that are specifically designed for your needs. This will help prevent damage and keep your curls looking healthy and beautiful.
Natural Hair From Chlorine FAQs
How should I wear my hair while swimming?
Cover your hair.
Should you put your hair in a bun when swimming?
Braid your hair or tie it in a bun to prevent breakage or additional damage when swimming around.
Is it better to wear your hair up or down when swimming?
It’s better to swim with your hair up instead of down.
References
- www.byrdie.com – How to Protect Your Hair From Chlorine for Your Healthiest Summer Strands
- www.formswim.com – 9 Tips to Protect Your Hair from Chlorine
- www.bustle.com – 8 Perfect Hairstyles For Swimmers With Long Hair
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