Summer is hard on natural hair.
The sun dries it out, salt water strips the moisture, and chlorine leaves it brittle. If you're spending time at the beach or pool without a plan, your hair will pay for it by August.
The good news is that you don't have to choose between enjoying summer and keeping your hair healthy. You just need to protect it before, during, and after exposure. Here's how.
What Sun, Salt, and Chlorine Do to Your Hair
Before you can protect your hair, you need to understand what you're protecting it against.
Sun Damage
UV rays break down the protein structure of your hair, weakening the hair shaft and making it more prone to breakage. Excess sun exposure also fades your natural color and dries out your hair by evaporating the moisture in the cuticle.
If you've ever noticed your hair feeling crispy or looking lighter after the long beach days, that's sun damage.
Salt Water
Salt water is dehydrating. It pulls moisture out of your hair and leaves it dry, tangled, and prone to breakage. The salt crystals also create friction between strands, which leads to more tangles and knots.
For textured and coily hair, which is already prone to dryness, salt water only intensifies the issue.
Chlorine
Chlorine strips the natural oils from your hair and scalp. It also bonds to the protein in your hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, and discolored. If you have color-treated hair or lighter tones, chlorine can turn it green or brassy.
Chlorine damage adds up overtime. One swim might not ruin your hair, but too many dives without protection will.
How to Protect Your Hair Before You Swim
The best defense is preparation. What you do before you get in the water matters more than what you do after.
Wet Your Hair First
This is the most important step. Saturate your hair with fresh water before you get in the pool or ocean.
Hair is like a sponge. When it's already full of clean water, it can't absorb as much salt water or chlorine. Pre-wetting your hair creates a protective barrier that limits how much damage your hair takes.
Apply a Protective Oil
After wetting your hair, apply a lightweight oil like the Hair Elixir to seal in the moisture. Focus on your ends and the length of your hair, not your scalp.
The oil creates a physical barrier between your hair and the water. It won't block all the chlorine or salt, but it significantly reduces how much penetrates the hair shaft.
Braid or Twist Your Hair
Loose hair tangles. Tangled hair breaks. If you're swimming, braid or twist your hair to minimize friction and tangling.
Larger braids or twists work better than small ones. You want your hair protected, but you also want to be able to rinse it thoroughly later without spending an hour detangling.
What to Do While You're Swimming
You've prepped your hair. Now protect it while you're in the water.
Wear a Swim Cap (If You Can)
Swim caps aren't cute, but they work. If you're swimming laps or spending extended time in a chlorinated pool, a swim cap is the most effective way to keep chlorine off your hair.
Silicone caps seal better than latex, and they're more comfortable. Wet your hair and apply oil before putting the cap on for maximum protection.
If a swim cap isn't an option (or if you're at the beach and not trying to look like you're training for the Olympics), skip it. But know that your hair is getting more exposure.
Rinse Between Swims
If you're in and out of the water all day, rinse your hair with fresh water every time you get out. Don't let salt or chlorine sit on your hair for hours.
A quick rinse won't wash out all the damage, but it stops the buildup from getting worse.
How to Care for Your Hair After Swimming
The damage is done. Now it's time to repair.
Rinse Immediately
As soon as you're done swimming for the day, rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water. Spend at least two to three minutes rinsing to make sure you're getting all the salt or chlorine out.
If you have access to a shower, even better. Use lukewarm water and work your fingers through your hair to loosen any buildup.
Shampoo and Deep Condition
When you get home, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that removes buildup without stripping your hair. Follow up with your deep conditioner and leave it on for at least 20 minutes.
The Aloe & Honey Deep Conditioner is ideal for post-swim recovery. It restores moisture, repairs damage, and softens hair that's been roughed up by the elements.
Hydrate and Seal
After conditioning, apply a leave-in like the Hydrating Mist to damp hair, then seal with a few drops of oil. This locks in moisture and helps your hair recover faster.
Don't skip this step. Your hair just lost a lot of moisture, and you need to put it back immediately.
What Not to Do
A few things will make the damage worse, not better.
Don't Leave Your Hair Wet and Tangled
Wet hair is fragile. If you leave it tangled and don't detangle gently, you'll cause breakage on top of the damage from swimming.
Detangle carefully with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers while your hair is still wet and coated with conditioner.
Don't Use Heat Right After Swimming
Your hair is already stressed. Adding heat on top of that is asking for breakage. Let your hair air dry or use a cool setting on your dryer.
If you need to style your hair, wait at least a day after swimming to give your hair time to recover.
Don't Swim Every Day Without Extra Protection
If you're swimming daily (whether for exercise or because you're on vacation), you need to step up your protection. Deep condition more frequently, use a swim cap when possible, and consider protective styles that keep your hair off your shoulders.
Daily exposure to chlorine or salt water without serious protection will damage your hair, no matter how good your routine is.
Make Summer Work for Your Hair, Not Against It
You don't have to avoid the pool or the beach to keep your hair healthy. You just have to be intentional about protecting it.
Wet your hair before you swim. Apply oil. Rinse immediately after. Deep condition regularly. These steps take five extra minutes, but they save you months of damage control.
Your hair can handle summer. You just have to give it the tools to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim with natural hair without damaging it?
Yes, but only if you protect it. Wet your hair with fresh water first, apply a protective oil, and rinse immediately after swimming. Deep condition at least once a week if you're swimming regularly.
Does chlorine permanently damage hair?
No. Chlorine damage is reversible with proper care, but repeated exposure without protection can weaken your hair over time. The key is to rinse it out quickly and restore moisture with deep conditioning.
Should I wear a swim cap if I have locs or braids?
A swim cap helps, but it's harder to fit over locs or braids. Focus on pre-wetting your hair, applying oil, and rinsing thoroughly after swimming. If you're swimming daily, consider wrapping your hair in a scarf under the cap.
How often should I deep condition if I'm swimming all summer?
At least once a week, more if you're swimming daily. Your hair is losing moisture every time you swim, and deep conditioning is the best way to restore it.
Will salt water help my hair grow?
No. Salt water dehydrates your hair and scalp, which can actually slow growth and increase breakage. Any supposed benefits of salt water are outweighed by the damage it causes to textured and coily hair.
