It's a bit more...involved for us, right?
As a Black woman who likes to swim in a pool or ocean frequently, it's important to take extra care of your natural hair to prevent damage from the salt or chlorine in the water. We can’t just go into bodies of water, rinse out afterwards and go. Oh no, honey! Our hair requires a bit more attention and care than that. You’re going to need a hair care routine with the right products to keep your hair from looking dull and feeling blah.Now assuming you have read our other blogs around determining the right hair care products by determining your hair’s porosity, density, thickness and hair type, let’s walk through a routine and general product recommendations. Remember you are going to have to tailor based on what works best for YOUR specific hair situation.
What’s the routine with the products, sis?
- Pre-Swim Treatment: Before entering the pool or ocean, apply a pre-swim treatment to your hair. (My friend, Camille, likes to apply conditioner to the inside of her swim cap). This can help create a barrier between your hair and the salt or chlorine in the water, reducing the amount of damage caused.
- én love’s Moisture Crush Leave-In Conditioner is a fantastic choice for this!
- Rinse with Fresh Water: Rinse your hair with fresh water before and after swimming to help reduce the amount of salt/chlorine your hair absorbs while in the water.
- Use a Clarifying Shampoo: If you swim, like, a lot a lot, use a clarifying shampoo after swimming to remove any buildup from salt/chlorine in your hair.
- Options you might want to consider are EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Clarifying Shampoo or Peculiar Roots Locs Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo.
- Give it a good Co-Wash: Co-washing (conditioner washing) is a great way to cleanse your hair without stripping away its natural oils.
- Try a moisturizing co-wash like Camille Rose Coconut Water Curl Coating Co-Wash to cleanse your hair and scalp.
- Deep Condition: Chlorine and salt can cause your hair to become dry and brittle, so it's important to keep it well moisturized. Use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to help restore moisture to your hair.
- One option is the TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask.
- Leave-In Conditioner: A leave-in conditioner can help protect your hair from the drying effects of salt/chlorine. Look for one that contains natural oils and humectants.
- Hair Oil (provided you don’t have fine, thin, low porous hair): After swimming, apply a hair oil to your scalp and hair to help seal in moisture.
- Give either Taliah Waajid Hair & Scalp Oil with vitamin-E or Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil a try.
- Protect your hair w/ Satin/Silk Bonnet or Pillowcase: To prevent breakage, sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase or wear a satin or silk bonnet to bed. Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and prone to breakage
By using these products and following these tips, you can help protect your natural hair from the damaging effects of swimming in a pool or ocean.