Let's talk swimming! Let's be honest, those of us in the natural hair community, chlorine and other chemicals in pool water can wreak havoc on our coils, curls, and kinks. These extremely drying chemicals are supporters of dry and damaged hair if not properly cared for. If you're like me and my family, we love the water. If you're also like me and my family, frequent hair maintenance can be time consuming when you visit the pool regularly. 

In this article, I want to share some super helpful tips that has helped maintain the coils and curls in our household and tips that have been super helpful for my customers and audience. Let's Dive In!

INVEST IN A WATERPROOF SWIM CAP

PHOTO VIA YGN.COM

If you're the type of natural who prefers to not get their hair wet while enjoying the waves, investing in a high quality swim cap works wonders. It allows the option to enjoy a day at the pool and enjoy a night out on the town without having to redo your hair. One of my favorite swim caps is this turban swim cap by YGN. It has, hands down, saved me, time wise, on days where after a swim I wanted to shower, dress, and head out the door.  Here are a few others that are wonderful, especially for those who have longer tresses or long locs, find those HERE and HERE. 

SATURATE YOUR HAIR PRIOR TO POOL TIME

PHOTO VIA NATURALLYCURLY.COM

So, we know that chlorine and other chemicals in pools can wreak havoc on our coils and curls. To help minimize how much of our hair absorbs those chemicals it's best to thoroughly saturate your hair with fresh clean water, I love using distilled water or water from our Berkey shower filters which have chlorine filters. 

APPLY SOME LEAVE IN CONDITIONER

Before diving into the cool blue, on saturated hair, apply a liberal amount of Leave In Conditioner. Applying Leave In Conditioner acts as a further barrier to minimize the amount of harmful chemicals our curls and coils absorb. Be sure to ALSO apply some leave in AFTER swimming and rinsing the hair to add moisture back into the hair. 

HAIR STYLES ARE IMPORTANT

 

For those who love the freedom of placing their hair in a style that can last a week or two, listen up! Styles such as braids, twists, flat twists, or cornrows are wonderful styles to enjoy in the pool. I love to place my daughter's hair in large twists and then do the banding method (placing bands down the length of the hair). Even when swimming daily, her hair lasts a good week and a half until wash day. 

AFTER POOL TIME, RINSE RINSE RINSE

photo via The Guardian Nigeria

After a day of pool fun, be sure to thoroughly rinse your hair with clean water. Though saturating the hair and applying the Leave In helped to minimize the amount of chlorine and other pool chemicals, a good rinse or even a light co wash or sulfate free shampoo cleanse is ideal. Be sure to use a good clarifying shampoo at least once per month and follow up with a Deep Conditioner. 

LOCK IN THE MOISTURE

While the hair is freshly clean and still damp, this is the best time to apply a light Oil or Hair + Body Butter. Applying an Oil or Butter to damp hair helps to seal/lock moisture into the strands. I do this even when my daughter's hair is banded (see hairstyles for swimming section) to ensure that moisture is being sealed in properly. The banding method not only protects her hair during swimming, it also keeps it stretched which minimizes tangles. 

DRY YOUR HAIR BEFORE BED

Wet hair can be a catalyst for tangles and further damage. After a good cleanse, I love to wear my microfiber satin wrap. It has bee such a life savor for drying my hair using materials that are not as harsh as towels. Check out my favorite microfiber wrap HERE.