You might look fabulous in your swimsuit as you dive into that sparkling blue pool, but your hair is unlikely to thank you later, when it looks like a frizzy, bleached-out mess. Between sun exposure and the added chemical scorch of chlorine, summer can be taxing to hair, says Ladies' Home Journal. By taking special precautions before and after you swim, however, you can prevent chlorine damage and still enjoy an active summer.
Step 1
Wet your hair before swimming. According to Heloise in Good Housekeeping magazine, rinse hair with water before getting into the pool. Dry hair has a tendency to soak up more chlorine.
Step 2
Rinse your hair again once you've gotten out of the pool. Later, shampoo and condition as you normally would. Although Ladies' Home Journal says shampoos designed to remove chlorine can be helpful for prevention, they don't reverse existing chlorine damage. If you already have some damage, try a hydrating shampoo instead.
Step 3
Give your hair aspirin. This isn't meant to put your hair out of pain--it's intended to reduce chlorine discoloration, says Heloise in Good Housekeeping. Heloise suggests dissolving between six and eight aspirin tablets in a glass of warm water, running this mixture through your hair, and leaving it in for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4
Get your hair trimmed regularly. Chlorine and sun can cause split ends, which definitely add to a damaged look, says Ladies' Home Journal. Even if you don't want to take anything off your length, get 1/2 an inch trimmed when you see split ends. This will revitalize your hair's appearance immediately, Ladies' Home Journal says.
Step 5
Skip washing when possible. Ladies' Home Journal says your hair is designed to moisturize itself through natural oils, and forgoing daily washes can help build up a reserve of this natural hydration. The exception to this is after you've been swimming, when you'll need to remove chlorine thoroughly. Ladies' Home Journal recommends going up to three days without washing if you can.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat your way to healthier hair. By eating foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, nuts, tuna and seeds, you can bolster your hair's shine factor, Ladies' Home Journal reports.
- Avoid too much styling with hot hair tools. This only adds to the damage caused by chlorine, according to Ladies' Home Journal. Also, put your hairdryer on a cool setting rather than using unnecessary heat.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo for chlorine removal
- Hydrating shampoo
- Conditioner
- Six to eight aspirin
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