Hair Care For Swimmers
Swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise. Unfortunately, constant exposure to chlorinated pool water or salt water can damage hair, leaving it dry and brittle. A hair care regimen for swimmers should focus on preventing and alleviating these problems.
Preventing hair problems in swimmers is relatively easy provided that a swim cap is worn. However, caps are not always completely waterproof, especially around the edges. Another preventive approach is to rinse the hair before swimming, meaning that fresh water is absorbed by the hair instead of first absorbing chlorinated or salt water. Some swimmers apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair before swimming and then wear a swim cap, to give hair maximum protection.
After swimming, it is important to wash or rinse it as soon as possible. Most swimming pools have showers, and swimmers should take advantage of these to remove chlorine from hair. Shampoos which contain harsh detergents such as sodium laureth sulfate should be avoided. Instead, shampoos which contain vitamins and aloe to condition and moisturize should be used. There are several swim shampoos now available. Conditioning the hair after washing is particularly important in a hair care regimen for swimmers. If swimming on a regular basis, a leave-in conditioner should be used immediately before and after swimming, and a deep conditioning treatment should be used about once a week. Blow drying hair is best avoided because the heat can further damage hair; instead hair should be toweled dry. If the hair must be untangled while wet, a wide-toothed comb should be used to minimize the stretching and breaking that a brush can do to wet hair.
An appropriate regimen for swimmers involves preventing exposure to the drying effects of chlorine and salt water, and treatment with a gentle shampoo and moisturizing conditioner to help care for dry and damaged hair.
