There is a wealth of things you have to think about when it comes to your summer beauty routine. SPF? A must. Sweat-proof make-up? Necessary. But we often forget our poor hair which gets battered by our sunshine activities. But here you are enquiring about how to protect your hair from chlorine so all is not lost.
Dipping in and out of a pool is a dreamy way to cool down from the heat but it can really wreak havoc on your hair. "Chlorine can dehydrate your hair and weaken strands making it brittle and more prone to breakage and split ends," notes hairdressing icon Sam McKnight.
And if you thought you can skip worrying about chlorine damage because you don't have bleached or chemically treated hair, think again. While it's true chlorine will affect compromised hair more, absolutely all hair is affected by it. So, take a look at our tips below if you're headed for a swim any time soon.
If when your hair is dry post swim, it feels straw-like, looks dull, is more prone to frizz or has more split ends than usual McKnight says it's likely got some chlorine damage. If you already have a bit of styling damage it might be harder to tell, but essentially if your hair looks or feels the wrong side of dry, the chlorine has gotten to your mane.
For curlies and coilies, chlorine can spell bad news. Because some curl and coil types can err on the drier side naturally, it can exacerbate it. "Chlorine can be very harsh on hair, especially curly and coily hair," says Rashuna Durham, stylist and amika lead pro educator. "Chlorine can strip off the natural oils from your hair, which will result in dry and brittle strands." No bueno.
Prepare yourself bottle blondes and colour fans because a harsh truth is coming, "Hair that has been chemically processed such as colour treated, bleached, chemically straightened or permed is more susceptible to chlorine damage," says McKnight. If you have a lighter-toned hue, you're likely to notice damage because it's easier to see the chemical reaction. "Chlorine bonds with other metals in water such as copper and iron which can make hair go an ashy, green tone, which is more noticeable on lighter shades, especially blondes. It will also strip colour-treated hair so protect your hair when swimming to keep your colour true and vibrant."
Luckily, there are so many things you can do to protect your hair from chlorine without sacrificing any pool time. "The ultimate protection is to keep your hair out of the water and covered from the sun, but the next easy thing is to use a protecting mist and wear protective styles," advises McKnight. He recommends his Sundaze Sea Spray (£26), a UV-protecting mist to give you sea-kissed texture while still protecting your mane.
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For textured hair, Durham suggests a clever trick. "Before taking a cooling dive into the pool this summer pre-wet your hair, so your hair doesn't act like a sponge and soak up all the chlorine." Genius. Next. She suggests layering on a leave-in conditioner to kind of act as a barrier. "By coating your hair with conditioner before swimming, it will help seal the hair cuticle and also create a barrier between your hair strands and the chlorine." She suggests the amika Hydro Rush Leave-in Conditioner, £26. "it's an intense moisture leave-in conditioner that boosts hydration, detangles and reduces frizz."
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But ultimately, if you can avoid your hair touching the pool it'll be the best bet for avoiding unnecessary damage. "I know this may not be a fan favourite option, but a swim cap is an excellent way to protect your hair while swimming. It is one of the best barriers to prevent chlorine from getting in your hair," says Durham.
Don't sweat it, all is not lost. Ensure that each time your hair is in the pool you thoroughly rinse and cleanse it and then be diligent with your treatment regimen. "Invest in an intensive treatment that repairs, deeply nourishes and strengthens. Look for a treatment that's easy to incorporate into your routine and that works in just 5 minutes," says McKnight. Fast-acting is key as you're way less likely to spend hours on your hair routine when pool time is at play!
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