In summer, it's time once again: Off to the outdoor pool, the lake, or the beach! While some relax in the water, others are already thinking about what comes after. Hair becomes brittle, tangled, and loses its shine. Fortunately, this can be managed and sometimes even completely avoided.
Preparing Your Hair for the Water
Chlorinated or salty water strips hair of its natural oils and leaves it dried out. Those who want to save themselves considerable work later can prevent this. To help hair absorb less chlorine or salt, it should be wetted beforehand. For additional protection, oil - such as olive, argan, or coconut oil - can then be applied to the hair. A leave-in conditioner also keeps hair smooth.
Swimming caps may not be very stylish, but they at least keep some water away from the hair. Putting it up in a bun or braiding it reduces the risk of tangling.
Tips for Aftercare
After swimming, hair should be washed as soon as possible to remove chlorine or saltwater residue. The shampoo should cleanse but not dry out additionally. Conditioner restores moisture to the hair. When drying afterward, the rule is: proceed gently. Vigorous rubbing with a towel can cause additional knots. These are best removed with a comb. Work from bottom to top and don't pull on the hair.
Especially on cloudy days, it's tempting to blow-dry hair as quickly as possible. However, heat would damage the hair even more after the stress it's been through. Therefore, it's better to set the blow dryer to a low setting and avoid flat irons and curling irons. In good weather, the sun takes care of the drying.
