Swimming and Tangles

**Knittergirl** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:16 PM

Ok, so my problem is whenever I swim, the top of my hair gets REALLY tangled. I usually braid it before I swim, but no matter what style I wear, the top still gets so tangled. I don't have a swim cap. What I tried last time was to wet my hair, and put a bunch of comditioner in, and leave it. Then braid. It worked ok at first, but then it all washed out and was as tangled as ever. What do you recommend?

**Madame J** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:21 PM

Don't put conditioner on your hair before you swim because it's bad for the pool. I would suggest a French braid (gets more hair in it), and get a silicone swim cap. Then you can try soaking your hair in conditioner to detangle it after you swim.

I find that teasing the tangles out from the ends with a wide toothed comb under cold running water works fine for me, but I have very straight hair. Also, standing under cold running water for as long as it takes to detangle my hair gently is not fun.

**Knittergirl** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:23 PM

I swim in the lake, so ruining the pool is not a concern. The lake is gross already

Thanks for the advice.

**Heidi_234** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:26 PM

I second the swim cap suggestion. I know how unflattering it may feel, but better be not attractive for 1 hour at the pool than 24/7 when the chlorine gets your hair finally. It will also keep your hair contained, and thus not tangling while you swim.

ETA: Oh, you swim in the lake. Must be awesome!

**Curlsgirl** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:38 PM

When I swim I braid and then when I'm through I rinse the chlorine or lake water out very well, heap conditioner on it and comb while it's on there very gently. That's the only way I can get the tangles out without breaking my hair off. If that's not enough you can also use coconut oil, then CO again to get it all out.

**rovylern** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:53 PM

I'll add another voice to the chorus singing the praises of using a French or Dutch braid (or two) topped with a swim cap. That's what I do with my long-haired kiddo, she swims at least twice a week in chlorine during the summer and it always helps a lot.

**Quixii** · June 22nd, 2009, 01:08 PM

When I swim, I put it in a regular ponytail, and then braid it from the ponytail. I always feel like it's more secure that way, and that the shorter ends from the top of my head are less likely to fall out and get tangled.

**florenonite** · June 22nd, 2009, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Knittergirl

I swim in the lake, so ruining the pool is not a concern. The lake is gross already

Thanks for the advice.

You put conditioner on your hair than swim in a lake?!

DON'T do this! Seriously, conditioner (and other personal hygiene products), even biodegradable stuff, should never, ever, ever be put in a lake, even if the lake is "gross" already. It's really bad for the environment.

For the tangles, I French braid my hair or put it in a ponytail before I go swimming, then take it out before getting out of the water (particularly if I'm swimming in a lake, as I don't wash my hair after) and dunk my head under to smooth my hair out, and it generally remains without tangles this way; I barely need to finger-comb after it's dried.

**CherrySilver** · June 22nd, 2009, 02:53 PM

I used to have the same problems with my hair tangling when I wore it in a braid. Wearing a cap always felt uncomfortable, too.

Now I just put my hair up in a bun on the very top of my head. Because it's tightly coiled, I don't get any tangles. I'm swimming a modified breast stroke without putting my head under the water -- not as easy as it sounds when you're doing 1000+ yards. My hair stays completely dry, but I've developed great muscle tone on my shoulders and back from swimming this way.