Tips for Hair Care and Skin Care Before and After Swimming

by Salonspa
(ST.Petersburg, Florida, USA)

As swimming is like relaxing therapy for the mind and good for the heart exercise, it is not always the best for your skin and hair.

So, if you are planning to go for swimming regularly whether in a chemically treated pool, a salt-filled ocean, or a pond or lake, then these steps you need to insure to protect your skin and hair so that it remains health and hydrated.

Skin care

Pool water contains chlorine and sea water contains salt which can make your skin and hair dry while chlorine can build up a green color cast on your hair during summer days. So you need to have extensive conditioning of your hair and skin.

For the hair, avoid highlighting treatments during the summer months.

For the skin, be sure to apply waterproof sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection before swimming. The sunscreening product should be sweat free, oil-free and offer all-day skin care protection.

There are also some sunscreens lotions are available that contain vitamins A, C and E to help moisturize your skin. Make sure that you evenly apply the sunscreen lotion to all exposed part of your body and don't forget to apply it on the tops of your ears and the tops of your feet. Always follow the product's label for recommended reapplications.

Always use a body wash with petrolatum, glycerin or a mild soap and lukewarm water for bathing. These will help your skin stay moisturized and rehydrate while you're in the shower.

Hair care

Pool water and sea water can also damage your hair and make it dry. Before going to pool it's a good idea to use a conditioner for your hair which contains sun protection factor (SPF). This will prevent your hair from "bleaching out" in the pool due to a mixture of chemical and sun exposure.

Shampoos and conditioners specially formulated for "swimmers hair" are available in the market for those who use the swimming pool on daily basis and are recommended. You can also comb a small amount of olive oil, baby oil or coconut oil through your hair before swimming.

Hats or swim caps can also protect your hair. It is the best, effective and easiest way of protecting the hair from the sun and the pool chemicals.

You can also use the home remedies and hair pack to care your hair. Just make pack of honey, avocado or mayonnaise and egg yolk and message into your scalp and then wrap your head in a warm towel. After 10-15 minutes, do shampoo.

Hair soaks up water when it is dry because it behaves like a sponge in water. Thus, before taking the dip you can rinse your hair with tap water so that it becomes wet. This is a great way for keeping chlorine form discoloring your locks! Wet hair before swimming it'll absorb less chlorine. This way it will not really absorb much of the chlorinated water in the pool.

Just after finishing swimming you can shampoo your hair as this will prevent buildup of chlorine. Make sure to rinse with lots of water.

This tip is also applicable to sun bathers.
When you are soaking out in sun, don't forget to use a good conditioner with sunscreens in it because the sunscreens will block out the UV rays, which cause hair damage.

If you are taking a sun bath for long period of time then the protection is a must because sunlight creates oxidation in unprotected hair which causes hair to become dull and rough.

Styling creams, pomades, eave-in conditioners, and shine enhancers with sunscreen can guard hairs by both absorbing and deflecting harmful rays.