We have covered tips on how to look after your skin, as well as what to eat. These tips are simple and easy to follow too. Gentlemen, don’t look away now, you have to protect your hair while swimming too!

Soak Hair In Tap Water

Before you take your dip, remember to let your hair sip. Hair absorbs water and chemicals such as chlorine (which dries out your hair) easily. Rinsing and soaking your hair in tap water before entering the pool or the sea will allow your hair to absorb plain water. Thus, your hair will be unable to absorb as much chlorine and not dry out.

Put A Cap On It

Obviously, one of the best ways to make sure your hair does not intake too much chlorine is to wear swimming caps. While it is a myth that your hair won’t get wet, the cap definitely reduces the amount of water and chlorine that gets absorbed. Plus, you can’t deny the other benefits of using a cap. It keeps your head warm and eliminates drag.

Our top tip for ladies is to style their hair into braids before putting on a cap. Less water will seep into your locks and reduce frizzing!

Oil You Need

Chlorine is very damaging on the hair as it takes away your natural oils (sebum), making your hair brittle and causing split ends. To counter this, do apply natural oils such as moroccan, coconut and olive oil.

Coconut oil has been proven to be effective as a moisturizer and protecting hair against sun damage by blocking up to 20% of ultraviolet rays. Olive oil is rich in vitamins A & E which help to stimulate hair growth due to its antioxidant properties.

Restoring Conditions

While it may be tempting to forget about your hair and have a nap after your swim, it is essential to follow these next few steps. First and foremost rule is to always wash all the chlorine or salt (open waters) out of your hair. You don’t want the chemicals to stay with you and create reactions. This is followed by using a conditioner to replenish all the moisture lost during your swim.

Don’t be too quick to wash the conditioner out though. Instead, let it sit and sink into your follicles for ten to 15 minutes before rinsing or opt for a leave-in-conditioner. If you have the luxury of time, you can also get a deep conditioning mask for your whole head. Do pay special attention to the tips of your hair to prevent those split-ends!

Wide-Toothed Combs For The Win

Your crowning glory is especially sensitive after being exposed to chemicals so do take some care with a wide-toothed comb. It will help you to untangle those knots without taking too much water from your hair with it.

Avoid Swimming After Treatments

There is a reason why horror stories about hair turning green are so popular. Copper is often found in water, and when mixed with chlorine, forms a layer that sticks to the protein in your hair, changing the color. This can be resolved by coating your hair in tomato sauce or lemon juice before shampooing and conditioning. Phew.

While this seems harmless enough, as it is a natural phenomenon and rectifiable, chemicals will have a far greater reaction. The chemicals used to color your hair, or any other form of treatment will react with chlorine. Hence, it is for your best interest (and everyone who you rant to), to avoid swimming for at least a week.

Take a break and come back armed with the right type of shampoo for your hair. When in doubt, approach your hair stylists for recommendations. A good tip would be to get a shampoo without parabens and certified sulfate-free as they don’t have chemicals which will remove the colors you spent so much on.

All in all, you don’t have to sacrifice swimming to maintain your beauty. With a bit of extra care for your hair, you will be able to reap the benefits of keeping fit with swimming. Get the six packs you have always wanted ( you know you do) while honing your survival skills!

Talk to our Professional Swimming Coach to find out more advice!

Hi Readers! A peek into my life consists of figure skating, traveling, writing and doing many things to keep up my fitness like yoga and swimming. As a skating coach and former music & movement instructor, I hope to shed some light on how fitness and swimming in particular, can benefit and aid you. Cheers!