Summer is here, and hopefully, the weather will cooperate so we can get out there and enjoy some swimming and sunshine.
The one thing that wrecks a perfect day by the pool is that moment when you get home and try to comb through your sticky and tangled hair. Chlorine in the pool and salt in the ocean can coat hair, making each strand feel brittle and dehydrated.
Fortunately, many brands have created products designed specifically to protect hair from chlorine, sun, and salt damage. Ahead are some of the best chlorine-removing shampoos and some other products to stock up on to prevent or quickly rehab pool-damaged hair.
First, before heading out, be sure to apply sunscreen and grab a hat. Wearing a hat poolside, whether you dunk your head or not, helps prevent all sorts of hair and skin damage. When you get out of the water, if you’re not headed straight to the shower, let your hair loose to air-dry. Don’t wrap up wet chlorine-drenched hair into a top knot, and don’t attempt to blow-dry unwashed pool hair; this will only exacerbate the dryness and fizziness of your strands.
Next, as soon as you can, rinse your hair to eliminate chlorine buildup and, if possible, shampoo and condition as well. I know bottles of hair products are not at the top of your packing list for the swimming bag, and if you’re hauling kids and their floaties around, who has time to shampoo? Whether you visit a public pool or a friend’s pool, try to rinse off before heading home. If you have your own pool, then hop in a lukewarm shower as soon as you can, as hot water will suck the moisture out of your hair.
When you’re able to get to a shower, cleanse your scalp and strands with a moisturizing shampoo like Tresemme’s Keratin Smooth with Argan Oil shampoo. This is suitable for color-treated hair and is infused with lightweight argan oil to nourish your hair and keratin oil to repel frizz. Or try Moroccanoil® Clarifying shampoo, which gently strips hair of buildup caused by salt or chlorine without drying it out. This works on all hair textures and acts as a deep clean for the scalp in addition to rehabbing dull, greasy, or limp roots.
Instead of a clarifying or hydrating shampoo, you can also check out specific swimmer shampoos like Malibuc’s Swimmer Wellness shampoo, which was created to help competitive swimmers, who are in and out of the pool every day, keep their hair healthy out of the swim cap. It’s a gentle shampoo that prevents hair damage and discoloration caused by the pool chemicals. So, if you’re blonde, it will lift out any green and keep your color vibrant and shiny. There’s also Sun Bum’s Detox Shampoo with apple cider vinegar to gently cleanse away impurities. However, this is a detox product not recommended for daily use, as the acid can be harsh on your hair and scalp if overused. So, save this shampoo for weekly rinses or post-pool use only.
After you’ve shampooed your hair thoroughly, apply a leave-in conditioner to moisturize your tresses. Chlorine exposes hair cuticles, leaving them dry and brittle. So, a protein-rich conditioner like Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In conditioner gently seals those open cuticles, tames frizz, and helps reverse any damage. However, if you’re prone to nut allergies, then instead check out Ion Miracle Leave-In Conditioner, which is great for all hair types hydrating and detangling while eliminating frizz. For kids, try SoCozy Swim Spray Leave-In Treatment & Conditioner. This ultra-hydrating treatment helps remove green tones and infuses hair with moisture. I find this handy even for non-swim days during the summer as an alternative to conditioning during baths for my little ones.
After you’ve applied leave-in conditioner, gently detangle with a wide-toothed comb. Start from the bottom and work your way up to the top. Again, let your hair air-dry after combing. While shampoo and leave-in treatments are not always the end-all fix-it for chlorine-damaged hair, they definitely make a huge difference. And if you’re starting the summer with healthy hair, this post-pool routine will help maintain that hair wellness.
