Hair Sun & Water Guide
Hair Sun & Water Guide
Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
May 23rd, 2022
May 23rd, 2022
With the summer season coming up, I've been thinking about how sun and water in swimming environments impacts the health of your hair and scalp. Sun, salt and chlorine can make your hair dry. In the case of chlorine, you can feel this as soon as you step out of the pool. This is because chlorine and other minerals, such as copper, are attracted to the porosity of your hair. In the instance of salt water from the ocean, a film that is naturally drying coats your hair if you dunk your head underwater. On top of exposing your hair to the pool or ocean (maybe both on a good day), your hair is additionally susceptible to the sun's damaging UV rays, which have the ability to lighten the tone of your hair. Below I've outlined steps you can take to protect your hair before, during and after a day at the pool or beach, and you can use these tactics with water from pools, oceans, lakes or rivers.
Before Water & Sun Exposure
Before getting in the water, wet your hair and apply a good amount of oil or conditioner to prevent your hair from drying out. When swimming in oceans, lakes or rivers, look for environmentally safe products that will not harm the wildlife. These are generally products without Petroleum, Triclosan (TCS) and/or microbeads. You can read more about this in an article by Global Cosmetic Industry titled "Ocean-safe Beauty". Some companies market products called "pre-swim treatments". These are usually left in the hair before you swim in the water. They are similar to conditioners, with the added benefit of UV filters that block the sun.
If you know you won't be getting your hair wet while at the beach or pool, but still want to protect your hair and scalp, consider the following options:
Remember that, similar to your skin, adding oil to your hair can enhance the sun's ability to damage plus decolor it, and burn your scalp. When using oils on your hair that do not include SPF, apply a hair-specific sunscreen on top. In a pinch, you can apply sunscreen meant for skin to your hair, but it may take several shampoos to remove it later.
If you know you won't be getting your hair wet while at the beach or pool, but still want to protect your hair and scalp, consider the following options:
- Shield your hair from the sun with a hat
- Protect your part/scalp with a powder sunscreen
- Apply oil, conditioner and/or a pre-swim treatment at home before arriving via the steps below:
- Wet your hair: You can do this at home, at a shower provided at the pool/beach or with a water bottle. The goal is to wet the hair well with water that doesn't contain chemicals or salt from beach or pool water.
- Apply product: Squeeze excess water from your hair so that it's not dripping, and then apply your product of choice.
Remember that, similar to your skin, adding oil to your hair can enhance the sun's ability to damage plus decolor it, and burn your scalp. When using oils on your hair that do not include SPF, apply a hair-specific sunscreen on top. In a pinch, you can apply sunscreen meant for skin to your hair, but it may take several shampoos to remove it later.
During Water & Sun Exposure
Reapply the oil, conditioner, pre-swim treatment and/or hair SPF after swimming (if you get your hair wet). A good rule of thumb is to reapply every two hours.
After Water & Sun Exposure
Take the steps below to clean and rehydrate your hair after a day of sun and water exposure. By using a clarifying shampoo or detox treatment in Step 1, you're removing a layer of build up created by chemicals or salt water, which allows the conditioner in Step 2 to be better absorbed by your hair.
- Detox: Shampoo twice, first with your regular shampoo and then with a clarifying shampoo containing citric acid. Alternatively, you could skip the second shampoo and follow up with a detox treatment.
- Condition: Use a deep conditioner or regular conditioner, depending on your routine and the health of your hair.
- Toner (optional): If you feel that your hair has become dull and discolored from time spent in the sun, try a toner. It will temporarily shift the color of your hair and add shine. In the case of sun discoloration, it can add a deep richness to the lightened pieces.