Ponytail Blues

[Dianyla]

Seconding the recommendation to pre-wet and coat your hair with something (conditioner, or I prefer an oil like jojoba, etc) before you get it wet in chlorine water. A silicone cap is better than a latex one for being gentle on hair.

Use a specially designed swimmer's shampoo and conditioner to help chelate the poolwater minerals from your hair after swimming. Regular products do not remove the mineral salts that chemically bond to your hair. You don't have to use swimmer products with every wash, especially if you pre-wet the hair with fresh water. Every time you wash/condition your hair, let the conditioner soak for a little while. I like to glop on tons of conditioner, and then shave my legs while it's soaking in, then wash it out.

Also, you might check and see how your stylist is cutting the layers in. If they are razor cut, these are typically done at an acute angle, instead of perpendicular to the strand, like scissor cut ends would be. This sharp angle cut tends to leave behind a hair shaft tip that easily frays and splits. I swear that some hairstylists do this to ensure that you have to keep going in every 6 months to freshen up the cut ends.

Lastly, make sure that your ponytail elastics are not the kind that have metal joints. The glued elastics are not as bad as metal, but can still catch and rip hair. The gentlest are a perfectly seamless hair hosiery style elastic, like these ones made by Scunci.

[HappyAnika]

At the recommendation of Veronica, I tried the cloth cap and I really like it. Much easier to get on and off, and much kinder on the hair. I still use a latex one as a backup (in case I leave the other at home), and even with talc I still have trouble with it. I'll give the conditioner idea a try to reduce the chlorine damage. Thanks ladies.

[Flybye]

I swear by professional hair products. They may be more expensive but they are worth it. I like Redken's Shampoo and Conditioner and Schwartzkopf's leave in conditioner. These for every day use. I have a ton of hair.