Summer is here, and that means it’s time to hit the beach or pool to cool off. But what if you just got a fresh new hair color and want to take a dip? Can chlorine or saltwater ruin your new dye job?
As a hair colorist, I’m often asked if it’s okay to dye hair after swimming. The short answer is yes, you can color treated hair post-swim – but proper precautions are needed to ensure best results.
In this complete guide, I’ll cover:
- How swimming in chlorine or saltwater impacts hair dye
- Recommended wait times before coloring hair after swimming
- Prep steps to take for optimal color results
- Mistakes to avoid with dyeing wet hair
- Aftercare tips to extend the vibrancy of your new hue
- When to call in a professional stylist for help
Let’s dive in (pun intended)!
How Chlorine and Saltwater Affect Hair Color
To understand if you can dye hair after swimming, it helps to know how these aquatic environments chemically interact with hair dye in the first place.
Chlorine
The chlorine in pools serves as a disinfectant and cleaning agent. But it’s also a harsh chemical that can be damaging to hair.
Chlorine is an oxidizing agent, meaning it breaks down the melanin pigments that create hair color. This causes dyed hair that’s exposed to chlorine to experience accelerated fading.
Prolonged contact in a heavily chlorinated pool can even strip color completely in a short period of time. This “chlorine green” effect is particularly noticeable for blonde hair.
Saltwater
Like chlorine, the salt content of ocean water is also problematic for maintaining vivid hair color.
Salt is highly porous and draws moisture out of the hair cuticle. This dehydration causes dyed strands to appear dry and faded.
Salt also deposits minerals that build up on and coat the hair over time. This crusty residue makes achieving even color distribution more difficult.
How Long to Wait Before Dyeing Hair Post-Swim
Now that you know how swimming can interact with hair dye, how long should you wait before coloring after taking a dip?
Ideally, hold off:
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24-48 hours after swimming in chlorine. This allows enough time for the chlorine to be fully rinsed out and hair cuticles to close.
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3-5 days after ocean swimming. Greater wait time is needed for salt buildup to dissipate and moisture levels to normalize.
Of course, unexpected pool days or beach trips can happen. In a pinch, you can dye hair the same day as swimming. Just be diligent with prep and aftercare to counteract effects.
Prep Steps for Dyeing Post-Swim Hair
Getting your hair ready for dyeing after swimming is key. Here are my top tips:
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Clarify hair: Use a swimmer’s shampoo or clarifying shampoo to remove all chlorine and salt buildup.
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Deep condition: Follow with an intensive hydrating mask or treatment to restore moisture lost while swimming.
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Detangle strands: Use a wide-tooth comb to gently smooth out knots and snarls caused by water exposure.
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Rough up cuticle: For saltwater hair, use lemon juice to close the raised cuticle and improve dye uptake.
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Protect with oil: Coat mid-lengths and ends with a smoothing oil or serum to limit absorption of chemicals.
Taking these steps helps ensure even color results and minimize potential damage to compromised strands.
What Mistakes to Avoid When Dyeing Wet Hair
You can run into issues if proper precautions aren’t taken when applying dye to damp hair post-swim. Be sure to avoid:
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Skipping clarifying: Leftover chlorine or salt can block dye absorption and cause uneven color results.
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Overlapping sections: Wet hair is slippery, making neat sections harder. Avoid splotchiness.
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Applying to scalp: Never apply chemical dye directly to the scalp – work 1⁄4 inch away from roots.
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Leaving on too long: Process times are usually shortened for wet dyeing to prevent oversaturation.
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Excessive heat styling: Air dry damp hair first and minimize heat tools to prevent excessive damage.
Aftercare Tips for Newly Dyed Hair
Special aftercare is needed post-dye to keep hair healthy and color vibrant, especially after swimming. Be diligent about:
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Cold water rinses: Use only lukewarm water when shampooing to prevent cuticles from opening and dye release.
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Sulfate-free shampoo: Switch to a gentler, color-safe shampoo to preserve dye and moisture.
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Weekly conditioning treatments: Target mid-lengths and ends with masques and oils to prevent dryness.
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Glossing treatments: Use a temporary glossing product in between salon visits to boost shine and refresh color.
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Protective styling: Braids, buns and gentle heat tools will prevent abrasion and keep color looking rich.
When to Seek Professional Help
While dyeing hair post-swim is possible at home, some scenarios are best tended to by a professional:
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Total color stripping: If chlorine or saltwater entirely removed your dye, a stylist can safely recolor from scratch.
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Unwanted color shifts: If your hue turned an undesired tone, a pro can re-balance it with a corrective gloss treatment.
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Excessive damage: If your strands are extremely dry or broken from swimming, see a stylist to determine the best plan of action for restoring health.
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Quick touch-up needed: Have a same day event? Let your stylist handle urgent re-coloring to avoid mistakes.
Don’t be afraid to ask your colorist for guidance or help if your DIY dye job doesn’t turn out quite right. They have the tools and training to get your hair back to healthy and vibrant.
The Takeaway
Swimming in chlorine pools or the ocean can cause hair color to fade and damage strands. But with some preparation and TLC, you can absolutely still achieve stunning dye results post-dip.
Be sure to clarify hair thoroughly after swimming, wait an appropriate period of time, and take preventive measures during application. Diligent aftercare is also key to locking in moisture and preserving color.
While dyeing hair at home after a swim is doable, don’t hesitate to lean on a professional stylist if major corrections or repairs are needed. With their expertise, they can troubleshoot any issues and get your hair back to its vivid glory.
So next time pool season or a beach vacation has you wondering “can I dye my hair after swimming?” – the answer is yes! Just arm yourself with knowledge and care for those precious locks. Happy and safe swimming and dyeing!