-New Urban BEAUTY- How to Protect Black Hair During Summer Swim Season
As summer temperatures show no sign of dipping below 80° for the time being, everyone is flocking to the nearest sandy shore and Schwimmbad to beat the heat. Black hair needs tender loving care before, during, and after water play, and at NUY 40+ we've got tips to help you protect it, & keep your tresses and nourished. Follow our easy summer hair care tips below to help you keep your hair damage-free as you enjoy your time in the water.
1. CAP IT OFF
 |
| Actress Kerry Washington as political power broker Olivia Pope on ABC's "SCANDAL" (ABC Television) |
A swim cap used to be the standard way to protect our hair when taking a dip into the water, and while they don't always keep wetness 100% away from your hair, they are generally very tight fitting. But because of the snug fit, swim caps can often cause pulling and tugging at your hair and edges, resulting in breakage. To prevent tugging your strands, add a few drops of hair cream or an essential oil to your hair before putting on your cap so that it doesn't pull too tightly.
 |
| As seen above on TV: Keep the chlorine out of your tresses with this SPEEDO BUBBLE CAP in White (11,00 €), available at bruegelmann.de |
2. USE A HAIR PROTECTANT
 |
| (LEFT) Regular, organic coconut oil works as a nourishing protectant in the first line of defense to prevent excessive salt, sediment, or chlorine absorption into your hair. (RIGHT) Originally developed for the US Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team, this professional hair protectant guards against hair damage from chlorine, salt water, wind and the sun, while also providing deep conditioning treatment. PHILLIP KINGSLEY SWIMCAP (17,00 €) available from hagel-shop.de |
Not unlike the ways we use a protectant for our skin when having fun in the sun, we also need a protectant for maintaining healthy hair when exposing it to the elements. If you're not swimming cap-friendly, adding a store-bought protectant, or a coating of organic coconut oil to hair helps to minimize salt, sediment, and chlorine penetration.
3. WEAR A PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLE TO PREVENT YOUR HAIR FROM KNOTTING OR TANGLING
 |
| No strangers to the beach: (top left) Actress/producer Jada Pinkett Smith (46) sports a simple top-knot during a beach work-out before hitting the waves; (top right) Bantu knots are a funky style choice to keep hair controlled for easy detangling after a day in the water; (bottom left) film actress Gabrielle Union (45) enjoys a float in the pool with carefree braids; (bottom right) pop star Beyoncé (36) enjoys time in the surf with a classic braided ponytail that can be pinned up once submerged into the blue deep. |
If you're going swim cap-free, guard your hair from tangling and extra beach water/pool water absorption by wearing a protective hairstyle. Top knots, ponytails, braids, and Bantu knots are all protective hairdos that won't cramp your summer beach style.
4. WET YOUR TRESSES WITH FRESH WATER BEFORE GOING UNDER
Wetting your hair before entering a water or pool allows it to absorb fresh water first, and reject the deep absorption of salt water or chlorinated pool water that causes breakage and dryness.
5. AFTER SWIMMING, WASH YOUR HAIR WITH CLARIFYING, REPAIR SHAMPOO
 |
Deep cleanse the build up in your hair with Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo (7,95 €) from luxplus.com. Repair your hair with the moisturizing, stimulating properties of JEAN & LEN Alchemiste Shampoo Feutigkeit Rosemary & Ginger (5,99 €)
|
Once you've come out of the water, it's important to wash your hair to remove salt, sediment, or chlorine build-up. Shampoo first with a clarifying shampoo, then treat your tresses to a second wash to rescue and repair the hair follicles.
6. DEEP CONDITION AFTER CLEANSING
 |
| Add a hair mask to your après-swim hair care routine to help stregnthen and replenish your hair after extended exposure to natural elements or pool chemicals. MACADAMIA ULTRA-RICH MOISTURE MASQUE (special sale 4,90 €) available at hair-gallery.de. |
If you don't have braids or dreads, don't forget to work through your hair with a detangling comb after swimming. Use a wide-toothed comb rather than brushing- to lessen the stress that often leads to breakage for our delicate black tresses.
