Swimming & Chemically Treated Hair

[lawyergirl]

I just got my hair highlighted for the first time ever this past weekend - and now I realize that might not have been the smartest idea with all the swimming I do! I always wear a swim cap when I swim, but does anyone else have any good advice for how to avoid recking my new do? Thanks!!!

[Lise]

Ah, yes, my other big problem! I pay a lot of money to look like my hair isn't aging with me. :p I don't want to end up with green hair from the chlorine.

So I get my hair thoroughly wet with regular water, and then comb conditioner through it before putting on my swim cap, when I'm going to be swimming in chlorinated water. It makes the putting on of the swim cap an interesting, slippery procedure, but it does protect the color pretty well. My colorist backs me up on this.

Good luck!

[lawyergirl]

OK good advice! I will be sure to put in conditioner before I put on the cap. I'm already chuckling to think what I will look like at 5:30am trying to get a slick head into a swim cap. Hopefully I can entertain others!

[luv'nAustin]

I do the same as Lise, except I'm lazy and don't bother with the comb.

[Lise]

I do the same as Lise, except I'm lazy and don't bother with the comb.Hmmm...I did imply actual combing, didn't I...

[lawyergirl]

Ok so I tried the conditioner thing yesterday, but then my swim cap wouldn't stay on!!! It just kept slipping off my head. Does anyone else have this problem? Any solutions??? Thanks!!

[Lise]

I had the same problem! One feels rather...silly. :o Use less conditioner. Do actually comb it through--there will be less on top to create a grease slick.

[LynneK]

My hair guy says that the most important thing is to wet your hair, because the water swells the hair follicle. I don't bother with conditioner. But my hair is above shoulder length, so if you have long hair I can see how conditioner would be valuable.

LK

[chickwhorips]

the wetting and the conditioner are perfect to do to save your hair.

also use a good clairfying shampoo twice a month with a good deep conditioner. pureology makes a great line for stripping out the cr@p that isn't good for your hair, but being gental on color treated hair.

use to use it all the time when i swam in pools. if you don't like that line i think aveda also carries some. my hair just doesn't like aveda. its curly and dry naturally.

[lawyergirl]

I think I may have found the solution - I found a swim cap made by Speedo that is lycra on the inside and silicon on the outside. The lycra is soft and I don't think it will slip around as much when I put conditioner in as when I just use a totally silicon cap. Will try this out tonight!

[Lise]

let us know how it works!

[lawyergirl]

Hmmm...ok well the new cap is good in that there was no slipage with the conditioner in, but I think it lets in more water than a strictly silicone cap. But it was way more comfortable - I can never keep all my hair in the silicone cap. I wonder if it's okay for some water to get in it as long as my hair is wet from the start and has conditioner in it? I guess we'll find out!

[chickwhorips]

it is still better that your hair is saturated with good water and conditioner even though some of the 'bad' water is getting under your cap.

glad its working out better for you. happy swimming!