Jumping into a pool on a hot summer day can be so refreshing. But after emerging from the water, your hair can often look limp, frizzy and dried out from chlorine and sun exposure. So do you really need to shampoo after every swim?
While a thorough post-swim wash is ideal, it may not always be necessary depending on your hair type and the frequency of swimming. Washing too often with shampoo can strip natural oils and cause further dryness.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hair washing after swimming, including:
- The effects of chlorine and sun on hair
- Should you wash hair after every swim?
- Tips for effectively removing chlorine
- Conditioning and deep treatments
- Protective styling after swimming
- When you really need to shampoo
- Swimming cap benefits
- Caring for color treated hair
- Kids’ hair considerations
- How to restore hair’s moisture balance
Arm yourself with tips to keep your strands healthy and hydrated even after logging serious laps!
How Chlorine and Sun Damage Hair
To understand whether post-swim washing is critical, it helps to first know how swimming can damage hair’s health and appearance.
The combination of chlorine and sun exposure can have several detrimental effects:
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Dryness – Chlorine is extremely drying to hair, causing it to feel stiff, brittle and tangled. The sun also dehydrates strands.
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Faded color – Chlorine strips artificial color while the sun fades with UV exposure. Warm water also opens the cuticle to let color escape.
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Frizz and flyaways – Chlorine disrupts the protective cuticle layer, causing strands to absorb moisture unevenly and frizz.
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Greenish tint – Chlorine can oxidize and react with hair pigment, leaving an unflattering greenish/yellowish tinge.
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Brittleness – Chlorine and sun damage the integrity of the hair shaft over time, leading to breakage and split ends.
Cleansing after swimming is ideal to remove drying chlorine before it can cause further damage. But shampooing too frequently comes with downsides too.
Should You Wash Hair After Every Swim?
Many people assume you should shampoo after every dip in the pool. But for some hair types, daily washing can do more harm than good.
Here are general guidelines on post-swim washing frequency:
- Every swim – Best for color treated or frequently chlorine-exposed hair
- Every 2nd swim – Ideal for normal hair types prone to dryness
- 1-2x a week – May work for very thick, dry or curly hair types
Consider your individual hair health, type and swim frequency. Oily hair likely needs more regular cleansing than thick, dry curls. And competitive swimmers might shampoo daily while occasional dippers can wash less often.
The goal is to wash away chlorine before it damages hair but not over-wash to the point of drying out strands. Find the right balance for your needs.
Tips for Effectively Removing Chlorine after Swimming
When you do wash post-swim, use these tips to most effectively remove lingering chlorine and chemicals:
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Rinse before shampooing – Run cool water through hair to dilute and rinse away surface residue first.
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Lather twice – Shampoo once to cleanse then follow with a second thorough lathering.
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Focus on scalp – Target shampooing efforts on the scalp rather than lengths.
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Use a clarifying shampoo – Choose a sulfate-free formula designed to deep clean and remove buildup.
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Rinse thoroughly – Rinse hair with cool water for several minutes to wash away all suds and chlorine.
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Limit washing to roots – Only lather up roots to remove pool chemicals rather than drying out the lengths.
Thoroughly rinsing away chlorine right after swimming can help minimize damage. But take care not to over-wash.
Condition and Deep Treat Post-Swim
To counteract chlorine’s drying effects, always follow swimming with plenty of conditioning:
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Apply a hydrating conditioner – Coat mid-lengths to ends with a rich moisturizing conditioner and let sit a few minutes before rinsing.
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Use a leave-in – Spray in a moisturizing leave-in treatment before towel drying to boost hydration.
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Apply oils – Distribute a few drops of coconut, argan or olive oil through damp hair to restore moisture.
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Deep condition weekly – Use a five minute hydrating hair mask or overnight treatment once a week.
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Avoid conditioner roots – Only apply conditioner from mid-lengths down to avoid residue on the scalp.
Properly conditioning after swimming helps rehydrate parched strands and keeps hair healthy over the long run.
Style Hair in Protective Styles After Swimming
Give fragile, post-swim hair extra TLC by styling in protective updos, braids or buns to avoid further manipulation and damage:
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Pull back in a bun – Smooth hair back into a loose, low bun or chignon at the nape of the neck.
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Braid wet hair – Braid damp strands into a single plait or two French braids while air drying.
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Twist into a top knot – For short hair, twist strands up loosely into a top knot bun using a hair tie.
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Tie back into a ponytail – Gather hair gently back into a ponytail holder without brushing or tension.
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Avoid heat styling – Let hair air dry rather than exposing weakened strands to heat damage.
Gently securing hair back in protective styles while the cuticle smoothes down prevents unnecessary breakage and keeps the shafts intact.
When Should You Really Shampoo After Swimming?
While an occasional missed wash after swimming may not harm healthy hair, there are times when postponing shampooing just won’t work:
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If hair appears greasy or stringy due to pool chemicals clinging to strands
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If you can smell chlorine or other chemical odors permeating from hair
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If styling products or oils applied pre-swim leave behind residue
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If hair feels sticky, tangled or trashy with pool debris
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If hair appears dull, lifeless or shows a green/yellow tinge from metals
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If dandruff appears from chemicals drying the sensitive scalp
Pay attention to hair’s condition. If it looks or feels unclean from chemical residue, don’t delay proper cleansing and shampooing.
Why Swimming Caps Are Beneficial
The best defense against chlorine and sun damage is preventing it in the first place. The main preventative measure? Wearing a tight-fitting silicone or latex swimming cap.
Benefits of swimming caps include:
- Barrier from chlorinated water contacting the hair cuticle
- Protection from sun exposure and UV damage
- Keeps hair securely pulled back from the face and eyes
- Allows application of pre-swim oils, gels or treatments
- Reduces the need for post-swim shampooing and drying
Caps help minimize chemical and light damage. And for regular swimmers or children, they are a must!
Special Considerations for Color Treated Swim Hair
Those with color treated hair face the highest risk of fading and discoloration from swimming. Here are some tips to protect dyed strands:
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Add a tint-protecting shampoo into your regular rotation
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Boost color with occasional glossing treatments
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Avoid shampooing too frequently, but do rinse post-swim
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Enhance shine and seal color with weekly conditioning masks
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Let hair air dry rather than using hot tools to style
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Shield hair from sun exposure by wearing a cap, hat or scarf
Take extra measures to make color treated hair as long lasting as possible. And touch up roots regularly as needed.
Kids’ Hair Considerations After Swimming
It’s just as important to wash children’s hair after swimming to remove irritating chlorine and chemicals. Here are some tips for kids:
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Have kids rinse thoroughly with plain water post-swim
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Use a very gentle pH-balanced shampoo for sensitive skin
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Focus on cleansing the scalp rather than lengths
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Apply a nourishing conditioner or detangling cream
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Comb through wet hair gently with a wide-tooth comb
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Let hair dry naturally rather than blow drying if possible
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Braid, ponytail or bun damp hair to air dry undisrupted
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Schedule a major trim if ends start to split from damage
Gentle products and handling can keep kids’ hair healthy and minimize tangles after water play.