Summer is here, and we’ll be cooling down by jumping into the pool or ocean. Whether you are in the pool or the ocean, your hair needs protection from the chlorine, salt, and sun. Here are our top 6 tips to keep your hair healthy and protected when swimming.
1. Protective Style
It is not a good idea to leave your hair out when swimming. Wear your hair in low tension styles, (like loose and chunky twists, cornrows, flat twists) to prevent tangling if your hair gets wet. It also makes it easier to put on a swimming cap. If you choose to swim without a swimming cap it will make it easier to wash it after your swim.
2. Wear A Swimming Cap
Chlorine has the ability to remove the natural oils in your hair, which can cause it to be weak and brittle, it's important to wear a swimming cap to prevent it from getting in your hair. We love the Swimma brand, they have different swimming cap sizes for those with afros, dreadlocks, and braids. The swimming caps are available at AUTUM.
If you plan on going swimming without a swimming cap, consider soaking your hair with tap water beforehand. This will limit the amount of chlorine or salt your hair can absorb.
3. Rinse And Co-wash
Rinse out the chlorine out of your hair as soon as possible with water and follow up with a co-wash. You have to remove any salt or chemicals as soon as possible to prevent damage to your natural hair.
4. Know Your Hair porosity
Porosity is the hair's ability to absorb moisture. There are 3 types of hair porosity: low, normal and high. Low porosity hair doesn't easily absorb moisture into your hair shaft, and it's prone to product build up. Normal porosity hair absorbs and retains moisture easily. High porosity hair does not retain moisture; it easily absorbs moisture, and easily loses the moisture.
When looking for hair products, it is important to factor in your hair porosity than hair type. This will help you know what products and hair care regimen to follow. If you don't know your hair porosity take our quiz to find out.
5. Deep Condition After Swimming
Deep conditioning after every swim is important because chlorine dries out your hair - if you swim a lot deep condition once or twice a week.
The type of deep conditioner you will need depends on your hair porosity. A moisturizing deep conditioner is best for low porosity hair, which tends to be dry and has a harder time absorbing moisture. Cover your hair with a shower cap, this enables your body heat to open and lift the hair's cuticle layer so it can absorb the moisture. If you have high porosity hair you should look for a protein-based conditioner to strengthen the hair shaft, because the hair is not able to retain moisture.
6. Moisturize
Include a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer after each co-wash or deep conditioning session for additional moisture.
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