Summer is right around the corner. Along with summer comes increased opportunities to jump into the swimming pool for cooling fun and exercise. Swimming and water exercise is great for the body, but hard on the hair.
Protect your hair while swimming in the swimming pool, so your tresses can be a beautiful as your slimmed and toned body.
The chemicals used by public swimming pools are used to kill bacteria that can breed in the water and cause illness. These same chemicals, cause the hair to dry out and give your crowning glory a frazzled appearance. If you have colored, or bleached, hair, the chemicals can discolor the hair, turning it green. Green hair might be fun on St. Patrick’s Day, but other than that, it is not a good fashion look.
Take simple steps to protect your hair when going to a pool party, the health club, or staying at a hotel with a swimming pool.
Wet hair with tap water before going into the swimming pool. Soak the hair in the shower before entering the pool. Hair that is already saturated with water is less likely to absorb the swimming pool chemicals.
Tie hair up. If your hair is long enough, pull it into a ponytail on top of your head and secure the ends under the rubber band. Unless you are going to submerge your head in the water, this helps to keep most of the hair dry. Tying up the hair also prevents the loose hair from floating into the pool and clogging the pool filter.
Wear a swimming cap. Some public swimming pools require a swimming cap, but many do not. The caps protect the pool and your hair. Swimming pool caps used to be gaudy, with colorful flowers and decorations pasted on them. Modern swimming pool caps are sleek looking and fit close to the head. Speedo makes swimming pool caps of silicone and latex. Silicone swimming caps protect the hair and allow your head to breathe.
Hair conditioner helps to coat the hair. Apply hair conditioner before entering the swimming pool. Be careful with conditioner because the oils in the conditioner may not be good for the swimming pool. Apply hair conditioner and tie the hair up or cover hair with a swimming cap. Wearing the hair conditioner under the swimming cap gives the added bonus of a conditioning treatment for the hair.
Shampoo hair immediately after leaving the swimming pool. Shower and shampoo immediately so the pool chemicals are not allowed to dry on the skin and hair.
Condition your hair. Hair conditioner helps to keep your crowning glory in peak shape at all times. A deep conditioning treatment adds moisture and shine to hair.
Clarifying Shampoo removes chlorine. Specialty shampoos, such as Aloe Rid by Nexxus and Shampoo Three by Paul Mitchell, remove chemicals from the hair. Clarifying shampoos are designed for occasional use, rather than everyday use.
Deep condition weekly. A deep moisturizing treatment restores body and shine to tresses. Ask your hair stylist for recommendations. Aveda, Paul Mitchell, Nexxus and other salon brands all offer excellent conditioners.
Your salon hair stylist is qualified to make recommendations and suggestions about hair care. Ask your stylist for additional information and for product recommendations.
Read Water Exercise Helps Arthritis Sufferers
Read Please No Cell Phones in the Locker Room.
Read Ten Tips for Beautiful Hair.
Read Beauty Tips for Traveling Women.
Read Five Skin Care Myths.
Read Prevent Wrinkles with Sun Protection.
