Last Updated on November 18, 2023 by admin
In this article, we’ll provide advice, hacks and tips as an introduction to swimming hair care for both chlorinated pools and seawater.
The effects of chlorine on a swimmer’s hair
Competitive swimmers spend a lot of time in chlorinated swimming pools.
- Chlorine is used in swimming pools to help kill bacteria and germs, making the water safer for swimmers.
- However, chlorine contains a number of components that can cause damage to a swimmer’s hair.
- Chlorine can dry out the hair shaft causing the hair to become brittle and easy to break or split.
- This can be especially the case for those with dry, damaged, natural, treated or coloured hair.
Related article on swimming in chlorinated pools
We have produced a related article on swimming in chlorinated pools. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming in chlorinated pools.
The effects of seawater on a swimmer’s hair
Many open-water swimmers and triathletes spend a great deal of time swimming in seawater
- The salt in seawater can have the same effects on a swimmer’s hair as chlorine in a pool.
- Both can strip the hair of its natural oils and dry the hair out, which can lead to hair damage.
A swimmer’s hair
Human hair is made up of a central cortex which is protected by an outer layer called the cuticle.
- The cuticle is the part of the hair which is shiny and smooth.
- It is kept shiny and smooth by a natural oil called sebum which is produced by the scalp.
- The chlorine in a swimming pool can strip the sebum from the hair.
- Both chlorine and the salt in the seawater can make a swimmer’s hair become dry.
- This can make a swimmer’s hair brittle and easy to break or split.
Swimming Hair Care Tips
Listed below are some swimming hair care tips to protect swimmers’ hair from the worst effects of chlorine and seawater.
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Pre swimming hair care tips
Wetting hair
Wet hair is less absorbent than dry hair.
- Swimmers should, therefore, wet their hair with non-chlorinated or salted water before entering the pool or the sea.
- This can help reduce the amount of chlorinated and saltwater a swimmer’s hair absorbs while swimming.
Wearing a swimming cap/hat
Many competitive swimmers find wearing a swimming cap/hat the most practical and effective solution for protecting their hair from the effects of chlorine or seawater.
- Some swimmers use two swimming caps/hats for double protection.
- Swimming caps/hats come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Swim Cap/Hat – Pool
Many of our swimmers use and recommend the Arena Unisex Silicone Swim Cap. It’s made from silicone and they find it comfortable and a quality product.
- Classic fit.
- PVC-free.
- A reinforced edge prevents the cap from slipping.
Swim Cap/Hat – Open Water
Many of our swimmers use the Zone3 Silicone Swim Cap when open water swimming. It is made from silicone, which they find comfortable, warm and reasonably priced.
- High-quality 48g silicone swim cap
- Comfortable fit
- One Size fits all
Using a protective oil
Swimmers can use oils such as Moroccan oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or coconut oil to protect their hair.
- These oils can provide an effective barrier for the hair so that chlorine does not come in direct contact with it.
Applying a leave-in hair conditioner
A leave-in hair conditioner works the same way as a protective oil.
- As these can also provide an effective coating for the hair so that chlorine or seawater does not come in direct contact with it.
- Some leave-in hair conditioners are formulated specifically for swimming in chlorine-treated pools.
Our swimmers with dry and natural hair use and recommend Kit & Caboodle Leave-in hair conditioner. They find it easy to use and effective as a barrier against chlorine or seawater.
- This unique range of products has been specially designed to care for and help protect your hair from salt, chlorine and UV damage
- Kit & Caboodle Leave-in Conditioner is your perfect post-workout companion to keep hair hydrated and manageable
- Enriched with restoring Baobab protein, this lightweight formula nourishes tangled tresses for smooth results. Perfect for your gym bag or taking on holiday.
- Apply generously onto clean hair, wet or dry. No need to wash off, just comb through and dry as normal. For best results, use after your Kit & Caboodle Shampoo.
- Avoid contact with eyes. If the product gets in the eyes rinse well with water immediately. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Using a UV sun hair protector
For those open water swimmers, using a UV sun protector spray, cream or oil can help protect their hair from drying out and help stop their hair colour from fading.
Many of our open-water swimmers use Calypso Sun-Sea Hair Protection cream. They find it effective for protecting their hair from the worst effects of the sun and the sea. It also helps to stop their hair from drying out.
- Calypso Sun-Sea Hair Protection keeps your hair safe from the sun, chlorine and dehydration.
- This specially formulated sun hair protection cream contains UV filters to protect your hair from sunlight and reduce colour fading, as well as Argan Oil to rehydrate your hair.
- Keeps your hair safe from the sun, chlorine and dehydration; Reduces colour fading; Contains Argan oil to rehydrate your hair
After swimming hair care tips
Rinsing hair with water
Swimmers should ideally rinse their hair with fresh non-chlorinated water immediately after swimming.
Shampooing hair thoroughly
After swimming, swimmers should thoroughly shampoo their hair twice.
- For colour-treated hair, use a colour-saving shampoo.
- For dry, natural, damaged or brittle hair, try using a super-hydrating or anti-chlorine shampoo.
Many of our swimmers use TRISWIM Swimmers Shampoo to help remove the chlorine from their hair.
- TRISWIM works to neutralize and remove Chlorine, Bromine, Salt Water, Hard Water Minerals, and other chemical odours from your hair with the TRISWIM Shampoo. Our Shampoo will heal and soothe dry hair and leave your hair feeling refreshed and healthy.
- BENEFITS: TRISWIM’s Shampoo hydrates and moisturizers swimmers and active individuals’ hair with Aloe Vera, Vitamin A and Pro-Vitamin B5. This is the perfect shampoo for individuals who seek to build stronger and healthier hair.
- HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE: Lychee and Mango scent appeals to men, women and kids. Our shampoo smells great and is made paraben-free, gluten-free & without animal testing. TRISWIM has protected both animals and swimmers of all ages since 2004.
- INGREDIENTS: TRISWIM’s Chlorine-Out Shampoo contains Organic Aloe Vera which is a popular botanical used for its moisturizing, soothing and calming properties. The invigorating light Lychee and Mango scent appeals to men, women and children. TRISWIM Shampoo also contains Vitamins A, plus Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), which is an important element to both hydrate and increase volume potential.
- No animal testing / Paraben Free / Gluten Free
Using a hair conditioner
After shampooing, swimmers should use a hair conditioner to help add moisture to their hair.
Many of our swimmers use TRISWIM Swimmers Hair Conditioner to condition their hair after swimming.
- TRISWIM works to neutralize and remove Chlorine, Bromine, Salt Water, Hard Water Minerals, and chemical odours from your hair with the TRISWIM Conditioner. Our Conditioner will heal and soothe dry hair and leave you feeling refreshed and healthy.
- BENEFITS: TRISWIM’s Conditioner hydrates swimmers and active individuals. The Keratin & Proteins rebuild and leave the hair soft, healthy and shiny. This is the perfect conditioner for swimmers who seek to build stronger and healthier hair.
- HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE: Our shampoo is paraben & gluten-free and the TRISWIM conditioner is paraben-free. TRISWIM has been protecting both animals and swimmers of all ages since 2004 and will keep your hair healthy and soft! The Peache and Orange Blossom scent appeals to men, women and kids.
- INGREDIENTS: TRISWIM’s Chlorine Removal Conditioner contains Keratin, Proteins, and nutrients that protect and leave the hair strong and glimmering. The specifically designed formula both protects and heals swimmer’s hair from harsh drying elements.
Drying the hair
For those with dry, natural or damaged hair, swimmers should dry their hair with a sports towel.
- Swimmers shouldn’t use a normal bath towel as the fibres in a bath towel can lead to certain types of hair breaking or splitting
- Swimmers should avoid using hair dryers after each session as this could add to the damage caused by the chlorine or seawater.
Many of our swimmers use and recommend the Big Jim Microfibre Towel, it’s extra-large and ideal for drying off between training sets and races, without making your regular towel too wet.
- ✔ XL SIZE: Measures 180 x 90 cm. The Big Jim towel is one of the biggest microfibre towels on the market today. Our oversized towel provides full coverage for active men and women of all shapes and sizes. ✔ NOW AVAILABLE in SMALL SIZE 80 x 40cm as a handy small towel for the gym.
- ✔ SUPERIOR ABSORPTION: Made of tight-weave microfibre material that absorbs up to 8x more water than a regular towel. Perfect to dry yourself fast after exercise and activities.
- ✔ LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT: This high-performance towel is incredibly thin (2 mm), so it folds up nice and small. Won’t add bulk or weight to your gym or swim bag, and ideal for holidays and camping.
- ✔ DRIES QUICKLY: No more heavy, sopping-wet towels in your gym bag post-workout. This premium towel dries much faster than standard towels, so you can reuse it again and again. Machine washable.
- ✔ HIGH QUALITY: This ultra-absorbent, fast-drying microfibre towel is one of the largest luxury microfibre towels available! Ideal for people of all sizes, it’s the perfect take-along for the gym, pool or beach or even just use as a bath sheet.
Clarifying the hair
Swimmers can use clarifying shampoos on a weekly basis to remove all traces of chlorine and seawater from hair.
Apple cider vinegar
However, some swimmers prefer using natural clarifying treatments such as apple cider vinegar
To clarify their hair with apple cider vinegar,
- The swimmer mixes a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water.
- After they have shampooed and conditioned their hair.
- The swimmer should pour the apple cider vinegar and water evenly over their hair
- They should massage this into their scalp.
- They should leave this on their hair for two to three minutes.
- Finally, they should rinse the apple cider vinegar out with water.
Takeaways
In this article, we’ll provide advice, hacks and tips as an introduction to swimming hair care for both chlorinated pools and seawater.
Both chlorine and seawater can strip the hair of its natural oils and dry the hair out, which can lead to hair damage.
- There are a number of swimming hair care tips ways that swimmers can use to protect their hair from the worst effects of chlorine and seawater. These include,
Pre swimming tips
- Wetting hair
- Wearing a swimming cap/hat.
- Applying a protective oil
- Using a leave-in hair conditioner
- Applying a UV sun hair protector
After swimming tips
- Rinsing hair with water
- Shampooing hair thoroughly
- Using a hair conditioner
- Taking care when drying the hair
- Clarifying the hair
Swimming resource library
We have provided a swimming resource library, containing links to all of our publications and blog articles on a wide range of swimming subjects. These include stroke technique, training drills and how to optimise training and competitive performance. Now with an easy-to-use index. To access any article simply click on the attached page link: Swimming resource library
The Competitive Swimming Exchange – Facebook Group
The Competitive Swimming Exchange. This is a competitive swimming Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love.
- It’s an international group for all swimmers, coaches, teachers, masters, triathletes and swimming parents. In fact, it’s for all those who are interested in competitive swimming, either in the pool or in open water
For more information about joining this group please use the following link: The Competitive Swimming Exchange
Recommended swimming equipment
We have provided a recommended swimming equipment page.
- It contains swimming equipment that we and our swimmers use and recommend.
- You can access this page by clicking on the following link: recommended swimming equipment
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