There’s nothing like cooling off in the water during a hot summer day. Now, I’m all for recreating Ariel’s iconic hair flip in the pool, but exposing your hair to loads of chlorine (or saltwater) can eventually lead to dryness, breakage and cause overall damage to your strands over time. So, whether you’re a casual swimmer or a seasoned athlete, here’s how to take care of your hair after swimming—plus, four ways to prevent damage even before dipping your toes in the water.
How to Take Care of Your Hair After Swimming, According to Experts
Dive into these tips
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Published Jul 26, 2024
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Meet the Experts
- Shab Caspara is a certified trichologist based in New York. She has a decade of experience as an expert on scalp health, trends and haircare. She's also a brand ambassador for It's a 10, a haircare brand dedicated to all hair types.
- Danielle Keasling is a celebrity hairstylist and brand ambassador for Ulta Beauty. She has 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, working with various brands like Matrix, Biolage and Great Lengths. Her previous clients include Lily Gladstone, Madison Lecroy and Jamie Chung.
- Dr. Kari Williams is a celebrity hairstylist, certified trichologist and the director of education for Cécred. She has over 18 years of experience as a natural hair care specialist, educator and hair product consultant. She has trained over 300 stylists around the world, and was appointed to serve on the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to help shape legislation for the beauty industry.
What Happens to Your Hair After Swimming?
If you’re constantly swimming in saltwater or chlorine, it can leave lasting effects on your hair. As Capara explains, “The pH levels of pool water (7.2 to 7.8) and ocean water (around 8.2) greatly differ from the healthy hair pH range (4.5 to 5.5), which can cause hair to become more damaged, frizzy, dull and prone to breakage.”
These factors are even more apparent in fine, thin, color-treated and/or already damaged locks.
- If you have color-treated hair: “The increased pH levels raise the hair's cuticles, exposing the hair color and causing it to fade and become duller. Highly chlorinated pool water can also react with lighter hair, causing it to take on an ashy tone or even turn green if the hair is very porous,” says Caspara.
- If you have curly hair: “Curly hair tends to be more porous and can absorb more chlorine or salt water, leading to increased dryness and damage compared to straight hair. It’s also more prone to tangling,” says Dr. Williams.
- If you have thin hair: “Thin hair can become more brittle and prone to breakage when exposed to chlorine or salt water. Due to having less structural support (and fewer protective layers), it makes it more vulnerable to damage,” shares Dr. Williams.
Pre-Swimming Tips
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1. Cover Your Hair in a Swim Cap
Do you remember wearing a swim cap as a kid? Well, the same benefits apply now. A swim cap can protect your hair and prevent damage caused by chlorine. Just like Katie Ledecky, pop on a swim cap before jumping into the pool. Just make sure to secure all of your hair in it, so no water seeps through. (And yes, if you have curly, thick and/or long hair, there are larger swim caps that will fit all of it. I’ve tried ‘em myself.)
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2. Put a Sun Hat On
When you’re not doing butterfly strokes in the water, a simple sun hat (or waterproof cap) will do the trick. It will protect your hair from any splashes and it will keep the sun rays from beaming down directly on your scalp.
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3. Wrap Your Hair in a Ponytail
No swim cap or hat available? No problem. Just wrap your hair up in a high ponytail or top bun to keep most of it out of the water.
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4. Prep Your Hair with Leave-In Conditioner
Whether you prefer a spray or cream, let the product soak into your hair for a few minutes before jumping in the water. The leave-in conditioner creates a protective shield against the chlorine/saltwater. “It’s always best to wet your hair and apply some type of barrier (like a leave-in conditioner or hair mask) before entering a pool or saltwater,” says Keasling. “Your hair is just like a sponge. If it's dry, it's going to suck in all of the pool or sea water. But if it's already full of water and conditioner, [it’ll absorb less of it because they] act like a natural barrier against the elements. It can also help detangle and protect your hair from further damage.”
Post-Swimming Tips
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5. Rinse Your Hair Thoroughly with Fresh Water
If you don’t have time to hop in the shower and do a full hair care routine after swimming, Keasling suggests washing your locks with fresh water before heading out. “Just rinsing your hair with fresh water as soon as you finish swimming helps to remove chlorine and salt residue,” she says. While it won’t remove all the chlorine/saltwater, it’s still better than leaving [it on your hair] for a long period of time. This is also a helpful tip to try pre-swim, as it can minimize the amount of chlorine or saltwater that penetrates your locks.
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6. Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Once you get home, Caspara recommends heading straight to the showers to shampoo your hair. “In order to prevent further oxidation, damage and discoloration, hair should absolutely be shampooed immediately after swimming,” she says. Better yet, this is a good time to use a clarifying shampoo to help remove chlorine, as well as other chemicals found in pools or the ocean. Find formulas that have ingredients like apple cider vinegar, kaolin clay or tea tree oil; they work to cleanse the scalp, moisturize your hair and strengthen strands. Trust me, your hair will thank you later.
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7. Do a Deep Conditioning Treatment
A regular conditioner is fine, but a deep conditioner is essential after a day of swimming. Dr. Williams suggests applying a hair mask, which offers intense moisture and replenishes hair post swimming. “A conditioner restores lost moisture and smooths hair cuticles. It can rehydrate and nourish hair to make it softer, shinier and more manageable,” she explains. Apply it at least once a week and leave it on for 15 minutes or longer before rinsing it out.
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8. Skip the Blow Dryer
Your hair has already been through the ringer, so put down the hair tools for now and consider air drying instead. This method helps reduce heat damage, which will prevent drying out the hair more. Keasling also suggests towel drying your hair first. She notes, “Avoid vigorous towel drying. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water and wrap your hair in a microfiber towel.”
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