The Best Post-Swimming, Post-Beach Hair Care Routine to Restore Moisture, Shine and More
Learn why washing hair after being in saltwater is best and the products that will make hair silky-smooth
A day at the beach or pool is sometimes just what you need to ease your worries, soak up some vitamin D and maybe get a nice suntan while you’re at it. And, there’s nothing like a refreshing dip in the water to cool off and maybe give you some pretty beach waves. However, as much as we love a trip to the beach, it can wreak havoc on our strands, causing them to become dry and brittle from the heat and salt water or chlorine. Here, we walk you through the best post-beach, post-swimming hair care routine to nourish your locks and give you the best products to restore lost moisture.
What happens to our hair after the beach?
When we spend a lot of time in the sun, our hair can definitely pay the price. Although we love the natural highlights it can give us, we’re not so much a fan of the way it can sap the moisture and hydration right out of our locks. Chlorine and salt water aren’t too friendly to our hair either: chlorine can strip hair of its natural oils and even change the porosity of your hair, whereas salt water can damage the hair cuticle and deplete it of its moisture. If you’ve ever walked away from a pool or beach day and felt like your hair felt like straw, aka very brittle, dry and even “crunchy”, this is likely due to the water.
Why is a post swimming hair care routine important?
Moisture is an essential part of our hair, and without it, our strands become frizzier, dryer, more prone to breakage and a variety of other concerns, which is why it’s so important to restore that lost moisture you experience at the beach or pool. Even more, a post beach hair care routine is especially important for women over 50. Mature women are more prone to hair loss and hair thinning, which can be exacerbated when hair isn’t healthy. While chlorine doesn’t directly cause hair loss, it can cause damage to hair, which can then contribute to hair loss and thinning.
Further, as we get older, women over 50 produce less natural oil in their hair, which can cause extra dryness in the hair and scalp. And this is exactly why it’s important to double-down on adding moisture back into our hair post swimming.
Post beach hair care routine steps
The guide below will help ensure you’re keeping hair healthy and hydrated, even after a day spent out in the sun and water.
Post beach hair care step 1: Wash hair, if possible
First things first, if you’re headed home after the beach where you have access to a shower, you’ll want to cleanse and condition hair. If you don’t have a shower available (i.e. you’re on vacation and headed to dinner right after the beach), you can skip this step and move onto the next.
We recommend using a moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner when washing hair after swimming. Some key ingredients to look for in moisturizing shampoos are natural oils, like argan oil or castor seed oil, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Use a scalp scrubber for a deep cleanse, and wash twice if necessary.
Post beach hair care step 2: Detangle
Next, you’ll want to rid hair of any tangles caused by the water, sand, sweat, etc. by using a gentle, detangling brush or wide-tooth comb. A brush like the Wet Brush that’s meant to be used on wet hair is a great option, as hair is in its most fragile state when wet (i.e. it’s more prone to breakage). If hair is extra tangled and knotted, spritz in a detangling spray before brushing.
Post beach hair care step 3: Condition
This is probably the most important step in your post swimming hair care routine. This is where you can really focus on restoring lost moisture and deeply hydrating locks. Your new best friend for this step is a good leave-in conditioner, full of moisturizing, nourishing, frizz-fighting ingredients. Some ingredients to look for in a leave-in conditioner are panthenol, vitamin E, jojoba oil, olive oil and keratin.
Generously apply the leave-in conditioner from mid-lengths to ends all, then brush through with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. If you have curly hair or particularly dry hair naturally, you can spritz a light amount at the root for more conditioning and to help with frizz, but don’t apply too much as it can make hair look greasy.
Post beach hair care step 4: Add oil
For even more nourishment, apply a few drops of your favorite hair oil after your leave-in conditioner. Oils like jojoba oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil and grapeseed oil are great for smoothing hair, reducing frizz and protecting from breakage.
For more summer hair content, click through these stories:
Celebrity Hairstylists and Trichologists Explain Why Your Hair Is So Frizzy and How to Prevent It
6 Ways to Increase Sun Protection While Wearing Sunscreen to Ward off Sunburn, Wrinkles and More
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