View Full Version : Hair When Swimming
melomane
May 27th, 2014, 06:17 PM
So Summer is approaching:sun: and I realized I really don't want to wear a ponytail (that will tangle and get split ends) when I go swimming. I've seen other questions similar to this, but I 'm not interested in wearing a hair cap. So what do you guys sport before jumping in the water? I know braids are an option, but are buns possible (and do they look ok wet)?Any advice is appreciated(:
Larki
May 27th, 2014, 06:28 PM
I swam six days a week for 14 years. :) If you don't want to wear a swim cap (which I recommend!) then braids are your best best. If you're looking for a bun, it would have to be something that can be secured really well with waterproof things that won't slip out - so probably just hairbands/elastics/whatever your preferred term is. Acrylic sticks and forks are (I think?) waterproof but won't hold up to swimming.
PraiseCheeses
May 27th, 2014, 07:17 PM
You're smart to avoid the ponytail. :) Seconding the recommendation for braids, especially if you're planning on doing ocean swimming, diving, or any strenuous swimming. I've found that with buns, the impact of diving or ocean waves feels like someone grabbing and yanking, whereas with braids, the water just flows around it. Besides, what would you rather replace - a $0.20 hair tie, or a $10 (or more) acrylic stick? Of course, if you're just floating around in the water to get wet and cool off, buns work fine!
Definitely at the very least pre-saturate your hair with tap water so it can't absorb as much salt or chlorinated water. Slathering it with conditioner or coconut oil can also help, but be careful if you're in a pool so you don't leave a product trail in your wake. :p
Kat
May 27th, 2014, 07:52 PM
My Good Hair Days pins (plastic) hold pretty well... an alternative to plastic sticks/forks, if you choose to go with a bun.
Lindseyh
May 27th, 2014, 09:17 PM
I do braids when I swim. 90% of the time it's my pool and I can monitor/control how much chlorine is in it. And hubs can deal with me adding coconut oil to the water- I usually keep my hair dry anyway.
LauraLongLocks
May 27th, 2014, 09:31 PM
For me, the swim cap is the way to go. That is the best defense against the chlorine. I recommend slathering in coconut oil, and wetting your hair with fresh water before entering the pool. If the hair is already full of fresh water, it is less likely to soak up chlorinated water (that's the theory, anyway). Definitely braid your hair, and maybe bun the braid to keep it out of your way.
ExpectoPatronum
May 27th, 2014, 11:14 PM
I swim a lot in the summer and my hair is in a dutch braid most of the time, with lots of coconut oil.
melomane
May 27th, 2014, 11:26 PM
Thanks for all the advice! I think I'll try a simple braided bun secured with several spin pins. Also I'll definitely use coconut oil:)
LightSabr
May 28th, 2014, 05:11 AM
I'm considering getting my sew on to make a waterproof mini swim cap just to fit over the bun. I guess I'd just use bathing suit material. Thoughts?
SkyChild
May 28th, 2014, 08:56 AM
Hmmmm that sounds interesting, LightSabr. I'd like to see the result.
When I swim I tend to put my hair in a bun but the bottom of that does usually get wet and soak up water.
I would've thought bathing suit material wouldn't be great for a protective swim cap as the water goes through it. I think swimcaps are made out of some kind of rubbery stuff if that helps!
Lightchick
May 28th, 2014, 09:09 AM
I swim a lot both in the pool and the ocean. I braid for sure and sometimes braid and bun. I bought double ended knitting needles, bent them into a U shape and use them for bun pins. Cheap, sturdy and no stress if one is lost.
cathair
May 28th, 2014, 10:20 AM
I'm considering getting my sew on to make a waterproof mini swim cap just to fit over the bun. I guess I'd just use bathing suit material. Thoughts?
I'm not sure how it would help to be honest. Bathing suit material tends to have Lycra in it, which usually means the fabric rots from contact with chlorine over time. So I am not sure it would be very resistant to the chlorine. Neoprene might be a little hardier? (but less flexible :/) I am not sure. But I don't think that is waterproof either.
If you just wanted to cover your bun, I wonder if you could use a balloon? Then it would be like a miniature swimming cap?
I think I'm just gonna stick to my silicone swimming cap, pre-soak with water/oil/conditioner though!
Panth
May 28th, 2014, 11:48 AM
I tend to wear a braid. Two English braids pinned around like a crown or a coronet braid are even better, but don't work if you dive (they just get pushed straight off the back of your head).
If you can do French or Dutch braids, they'd be even better. I can't do those, so although they are my preferred style for swimming I only get them if I have a patient friend on hand.
StellaKatherine
May 28th, 2014, 12:04 PM
I've always braided my hair in a single english braid for swimming. The bun only if i try to avoid my hair getting wet.
ErinLeigh
May 28th, 2014, 12:18 PM
Braids are good. The presoak with coconut oil or conditioner helps a lot.
Wonder if there is a way to bun and bag? Make a basic bun, put some plastic wrap around it and secure that with a hair tie. Maybe some colored wrap would make it not look so dorky :)
LightSabr
May 28th, 2014, 04:17 PM
I like the balloon idea. I don't know what I was thinking with the bathing suit material, lol whoops
Larki
May 28th, 2014, 04:37 PM
I don't think just covering the bun would have any effect at all.
YamaMaya
May 28th, 2014, 04:53 PM
I used a bun secured with two spin pins and it held beautifully. To protect my hair I slathered my hair in oil and kept my hair in a bun, but sadly I think the lack of hair cap still let some chlorine in and my hair was crispy for a whole week even after chelating. It finally calmed down and went to normal after an smt.
Kat
June 1st, 2014, 09:32 PM
Several years ago there was much discussion here of swim caps, so I decided to try it. I got a silicone cap, and then one of the "bubble" caps with the chin strap for over top of the silicone cap.
Well, the silicone cap still let water in (I had a hard time getting all my hair into it, for one, and I think it didn't cover my ears), and the bubble cap was way too big for my head, so there were gaps everywhere and nothing I could do to make it tighter. I gave up...it worked for some people, but not me. I just do the oil thing now, and try to only get my hair wet while swimming if I'm willing to wash it right after...
Mainesongbird
June 2nd, 2014, 04:13 PM
I swim a lot, I usually french or dutch braid it then wind the tail back up into a bun, cover it with a fabric covered elastic and pin 4 long roller type pins criss crossing each other and on the four corners of the bun. Usually helps, but I am fine and thick and even with all my hair braided and bunned, I still get tangles...
redtuss
June 3rd, 2014, 01:59 AM
I'm gonna be swimming in the ocean this summer, at least for one week on a vacation (I'm very sensitive for cold water so won't swim when I'm home, too cold!). This thread has lots of good advice!
I'll stick to pre-soaking and oiling and braiding it before I jump in :P Thanks for the tips!
Vanity is stopping me from using my lovely pink swim cap when on vacation - since I haven't had my hair in contact with either pool or ocean-water for.. three years or so I think it can do me this favour and have me look as fabulous as I get for one week! It kinda owes me that! ;)
evb
June 4th, 2014, 12:54 PM
bumping because I have been worrying about the chlorine in my hair. Currently I wash once a week {sometimes every 2 weeks :cool:} so the thought of washing my hair every time I take my daughter to the pool is horrifying to me. She is a poor swimmer and wants me to get in the pool with her. My hair is about tailbone and usually only gets cut once a year. I expect to spend an inordinate amount of time in the sun and in chlorinated water. If she had her way daily. I am trying to limit it to 3 times a week. Our apartment is right next to the pool so other than my hair there is no reason to not be there all summer long.
florenonite
June 5th, 2014, 07:01 AM
bumping because I have been worrying about the chlorine in my hair. Currently I wash once a week {sometimes every 2 weeks :cool:} so the thought of washing my hair every time I take my daughter to the pool is horrifying to me. She is a poor swimmer and wants me to get in the pool with her. My hair is about tailbone and usually only gets cut once a year. I expect to spend an inordinate amount of time in the sun and in chlorinated water. If she had her way daily. I am trying to limit it to 3 times a week. Our apartment is right next to the pool so other than my hair there is no reason to not be there all summer long.
When I was a lifeguard I'd CO with a conditioner containing Disodium/Tetrasodium EDTA on days that I wouldn't otherwise wash my hair. It got the chlorine out without drying out my hair.
Brattina88
June 5th, 2014, 11:12 AM
Are there any (better) preferred shampoo/conditioners for after swimming? Last year I used the Ultra Swim shampoo and conditioner towards the end of the swimming season.
I usually use shampoo bars, or cheap suave or VO5 (I'm settling into a nice rotation) but I know that's going to change starting next week.
I would not be against getting a more expressive or different shampoo if anyone has any suggestions or recommendations. :)
Larki
June 5th, 2014, 11:43 AM
Are there any (better) preferred shampoo/conditioners for after swimming? Last year I used the Ultra Swim shampoo and conditioner towards the end of the swimming season.
I usually use shampoo bars, or cheap suave or VO5 (I'm settling into a nice rotation) but I know that's going to change starting next week.
I would not be against getting a more expressive or different shampoo if anyone has any suggestions or recommendations. :)
Ion makes a sulfate-free swimmer's S&C. http://www.sallybeauty.com/swimmers-shampoo/ION74,default,pd.html
Brattina88
June 5th, 2014, 04:40 PM
Ion makes a sulfate-free swimmer's S&C. http://www.sallybeauty.com/swimmers-shampoo/ION74,default,pd.html
Thanks! :)
ARG
June 7th, 2014, 02:15 PM
Does anyone know the effects of a peroxide pool? Our pool isn't chlorinated, we use a peroxide cleaner.
Jumper
June 7th, 2014, 02:38 PM
Are people worried about chlorine swimming in public pools or personal ones? I usually swim in my parents pool and it is chlorinated, but you don't even smell the chlorine. Not at all like a public pool. In previous years I've never worried about it, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't be wearing a swim cap or washing my hair right after or something.
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