If I swim a lot can this damage my natural hair?
Are you a swimmer? Do you love the freedom of swimming in a pool or at the beach? If so, then I have good news for you: swimming can be a great exercise for your body and even better for your mind. However, if this is your first time going into chlorinated water (or if it's been awhile), there are some things that you should know about how it impacts your natural hair.
Yes, chlorine can be damaging to natural hair.
Chlorine is a strong oxidizer, which means it can damage the hair cuticle and cause dryness and breakage. Chlorine is also a mineral, so it's able to be absorbed into your natural hair shaft (like how minerals in our drinking water can leach into our bodies).
However, some people with curly textures may be less susceptible to damage from chlorine because of their inherent protective factor. So if you're not sure about swimming with chlorine or if you do want to try swimming in pools with chlorinated water but are worried about damaging your natural hair, opt for an all-natural moisturizing treatment afterward that will hydrate and balance out any potential effects from swimming too much.[1]
Natural hair is porous and prone to dryness.
Natural hair is porous, which means that its cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair shaft) is open. Water has a difficult time entering natural hair because it doesn't have a sealed cuticle like relaxed or straightened hair. As such, your scalp may feel dry after swimming in chlorine-filled water or if you swim often and don't properly care for your tresses afterward.
To make sure you're taking good care of your natural strands post-swim session:
Rinse well with cool water as soon as possible after getting out of the pool or ocean. The longer you wait to rinse off any chlorine residue on your scalp/hairline, the more damage will occur over time (especially if you swim frequently).
Protecting your hair with a swim cap can go a long way towards reducing damage.
No matter how much you try to protect your natural hair from the chlorine and chemicals in pools, it's still possible for damage to occur. Swim caps can go a long way towards reducing damage, but they aren't a guarantee of protection.
It's essential that you choose the right cap for your needs. If you're swimming regularly at an indoor pool or outdoor municipal pool, one made of polyester would be best. These caps don't absorb water and won't retain chlorine or other chemicals as much as other materials like latex or neoprene do. Make sure yours fits tightly enough so that it doesn't slip off while swimming; if it feels too tight on your head when dry, then it will probably feel uncomfortable while wet too! The most important thing to remember is that if you have any gaps at all around your ears or neckline (common areas where water tends to sneak in), then make sure these are sealed off with something like petroleum jelly beforehand; this will prevent any unwanted leaks during use time so nothing gets through those small holes which could cause problems later down the line when trying our best efforts failed us miserably due its inability to withstand harsh conditions such as chlorine exposure over time."
However, covering your hair might not be enough.
While wearing a swim cap can help prevent chlorine damage to your hair, it may not be enough. If you want to minimize the effect of the pool's chemicals on your natural hair, try soaking your scalp in a mixture of water and vinegar before swimming. You could also apply coconut oil to the ends of your hair so they're protected from sun and saltwater as well as chlorine. And if possible, avoid swimming in heavily chlorinated pools by taking a shower after you're done swimming.
You will also need to prepare your scalp by soaking it before you get into the water.
Before you jump into the pool, you'll need to prepare your hair. You can do this by washing it with a shampoo or conditioner that is designed to remove chlorine. Soak your hair in a mixture of water and shampoo or conditioner before getting into the water (you can also use a deep conditioning treatment). Chlorine can be extremely drying on natural hair and this will help prevent it from stripping away moisture as much as possible.
If you want even more protection against damage, use a deep conditioning mask before swimming!
Make sure you apply an oil or conditioner to your hair before swimming. Olive oil and coconut oil are both good choices.
To keep your hair from drying out, it's important to apply an oil or conditioner before you go swimming. A good choice for this is olive oil or coconut oil, which will help protect your natural curls and prevent dryness. Apply a small amount of the oil to your hair down to the tips (but not on the scalp), then let it sit for up to an hour before going in the water.
You have to take steps to protect your natural hair when swimming in chlorinated water.
If you swim a lot, chances are you've already noticed that when you get out of the pool or ocean your hair feels dry and brittle. But did you know that this kind of drying effect is actually caused by the chlorine in swimming pools? In fact, chlorine can seriously damage natural hair—it's one of the reasons why many naturals will opt for a swim cap over just not swimming at all!
So if covering your natural hair with a swim cap is such an effective way to protect it while swimming in chlorinated water, why isn't it enough? Well...
I hope that this article has convinced you to take care of your natural hair when swimming in chlorinated water. You can do so by following my tips: wearing a swim cap, applying oils and conditioners to protect your hair before getting into the pool, and soaking your scalp before getting in. If you do these things correctly then you should be able to avoid any damage caused by chlorine.
Resources
Swimming can damage natural hair due to the chlorine and salt in the water[1][2]. To prevent this, it is recommended to use a swim cap[2], wash your hair twice a week[3], and rinse with fresh tap water instead of conditioner before swimming[4][5].
1. Ultimate Guide To Swimming With Natural Hair - Afrocenchix
https://afrocenchix.com/blogs/afrohair/ultimate-guide-to-swimming-with-natural-hair
Swimming and natural hair – let's be honest, it can play havoc with your locks. Chlorine and saltwater can be extremely drying to afro hair, ...
2. 7 Ways to Protect Your Natural Hair When Swimming
https://www.ebony.com/ways-to-protect-hair-when-swimming-993
Swim caps can be a bit snug on your scalp, causing pulling and tugging of your hair and edges. This could lead to breakage. If you must use a swim cap, make ...
3. Does pool Chlorine Affect natural hair?, if so, how? | Curly Q&A
I would recommend washing your hair twice a week to make sure you get rid of all chlorine Since you will be swimming a lot , make sure you do use an intense ...
4. 10 Genius Tips to Protect Natural Hair While Swimming - Byrdie
https://www.byrdie.com/black-hair-and-swimming-a-guide-to-healthy-locks-400048
Don't apply conditioner, only fresh tap water. The idea is that running it under water prevents your tresses from soaking up as much chlorine, ...
5. How To Protect Your Natural Hair While Swimming
The chlorine and or salt in the water you swim in is damaging because it absorbs into your hair and dries it from the inside. One way you can ...
