"Reader Mail"Hi Yakini,
I was hoping you could provide me with a bit of hair care advice. My daughters swim every day during the summer and I am on a mission to maintain their hair. I have purchased sooo many hair products for the girls, but would like recommendations particularly with products that are useful for *hair care, growth, and maintenance during these summer months. This would really help with my little ones being in the pool so often. Thanks!
image source: Getty Images
I received this email a couple months back and decided it was appropriate to share especially now that I've begun Mommy and Me swim lessons. I sent this reader a response then and will share some of what I disclosed to her with you all as well.
Well, for many of us summer time equals swim time, and we all know sun and chemicals can do quite the number on our skin (Yes, brown skin included! Our natural melanin can only protect us so far). But how much thought have you given your hair? Without taking the proper preventative measures, a chlorinated pool (or salty ocean water) can cause our hair to become dry and brittle which of course equals breakage. African-American (4a/b and 3c type hair) is especially prone to this kind of damage.
Protecting your hair need not be so arduous a task. Below I've listed a few important recommendations and, if you follow these guidelines, you'll preserve the hair you've (hopefully) been so diligently caring for. Right now you should be enjoying your summer time growth spurt, not nursing brittle, chlorine-damaged hair back to health!
Preparing to Swim:
♥ Do get your hair wet (in the shower) before entering the pool. Hair that's already wet soaks up less chlorine and sea salt than dry hair - our hair is essentially like a sponge in that once it has absorbed all it can very little else can get into it. Do not shampoo before you get in the water. While water helps you out, shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils and other build-up that can act as a barrier between your hair and the chlorine.
♥ Apply conditioner generously throughout your wet hair. When your hair is full of conditioner chlorine will have less of an impact on it, and conditioner will also help keep your hair tangle-free once you get out. Mind you, don't saturate your hair to the point that it's dripping in your eyes once you've hit the warm, sauna-like water. Just use enough to give your hair a protective coating. I focus especially on the ends. I suggest using a "cheapie" conditioner for this process (read = < $4). Depending on how frequently you swim, you'll go through a lot of conditioner and you don't want to break your budget in the name of protecting your hair. I would recommend the likes of a VO5 or Suave Conditioner.
♥ Braid and pull back your hair before getting in the pool. This allows less of your hair to be exposed to the water. As you saw in the pictures/videos of me at swim class, I had pulled my hair back to form a loose bun. I didn't intend on going under water and thus went in sans swim cap.
♥ If you do plan to be underwater invest in a quality swim cap. After wetting/conditioning your hair, I would recommend first covering it (with a plastic cap or satin bonnet) before placing the swim cap over it. This will further protect your hair from any water that may seep under, as well as breakage along your hairline that could result from a tight swim cap. However, that's just me and my anal retentiveness when it comes to my hair.
Post-Swim Hair Care:
♥ It's important to rinse any chlorine out of your hair after swimming. Even if you don't have time for a full post-swim regimen immediately afterward, rinsing the chlorine out right away will temporarily suffice.
♥ Some people like to use a shampoo that is specific for swimming. I understand that JF Lazartigue has a great after-swimming shampoo that claims to be mild enough for daily use but will help with the removal of chlorine and subsequently prevent damage.
Personally, I've tried after-swimming shampoo and found it drying for my hair - similar to the effect of using a clarifying shampoo without conditioning afterward.
♥ In lieu of swimming shampoo, I would recommend simply con-washing afterward with a light, moisturizing conditioner that doesn't leave your hair dry or sticky. I strongly believe that con-washing is enough - not a fan of shampoo at all, especially if you are swimming frequently and using it multiple times per week. Here are a few moisturizing conditioners that I love:
Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Conditioner - pure indulgence, if you are willing to spend a little more
Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat Conditioner - deliciously rich and creamy, leaves hair feeling like silk!
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner - very popular choice, leaves hair soft but strengthened
Keep in mind that different folks experience varying results with different conditioners, so you'll need to determine which one your hair responds to best. After con-washing multiple times per week, your hair may have build up. By this time a good shampoo/deep conditioner is in order; however, once a week should suffice.
♥ Don't forget to seal with your fav carrier oil after con-washing. This is a very important step! In my case I use garlic oil but other oils that I really like include coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). (Once I know for certain that all my post-partum shedding has ceased I'm definitely going to get back to these staples).
I hope these tips are helpful for you... I'm realizing now that I probably should have posted this earlier in the summer when folks were just beginning to hit up the beaches and pools - duh! It didn't occur to me to blog about this until Chase and I started our own lessons. My bad, girls. Better late than never though, right?
Do you have any swim hair care tips that you swear by? Post them here!
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