Swimmers Hair Tips
Swimmers often face problems with their hair due to the harsh effects of chlorine and saltwater. Chlorine and saltwater could cause the hair to become dry. It also leads to a greenish discoloration of the hair. This usually occurs when there is sun exposure. Chlorine can also lead to a breakdown of the natural oils of the scalp. Swimmers need to take extra care of their hair to avoid these problems. Here are some of the swimmer's hair tips.
Swimmers hair can be protected by wearing a swimming cap. It is also advisable to rinse the hair before swimming so that the hair absorbs fresh water first.
One may also apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair beforehand so that the hair is protected while swimming. After a swim, the swimmer's hair must be washed immediately. The chlorine must be rinsed from the hair and swimmers can make use of showers that are present at places where there are swimming pools. Most shampoos contain harsh chemicals that can cause more damage to the hair and hence these must be avoided.
Milder shampoos with natural, nourishing ingredients must be used instead. One can use a special shampoo for swimmers' hair which is especially meant for washing the hair after a swim. It is also necessary to condition the hair after a wash. A deep conditioning treatment may be done once every week for maintaining good health of a swimmer's hair. Use a conditioner that contains sunscreen as this will also provide protection from continuous sun exposure.
Sunlight leads to oxidation and this causes a weakening of the hair cells. With prolonged sun exposure, the hair can become brittle and lifeless. One can also use leave-in conditioners or styling creams that contain sunscreen. It is advisable to avoid blow-drying the hair as this could lead to more dryness.
Swimmers often experience the problem of limp or frizzy hair. This usually happens on humid days. Straight hair is likely to become lank and limp with humidity, while curly hair is prone to frizz. This can be avoided by using a small amount of styling product before putting on a swim cap.
A beneficial swimmer's hair care home remedy involves the use of baking soda to remove impurities and discoloration from the hair. Add a quarter cup of baking soda to regular shampoo and use it to wash the hair once every week. Baking soda may also be added to the conditioner to add volume and bounce to the hair.