How to Protect Blonde Hair From Salt Water and Chlorine

Few things beat a swim on a warm day, but blonde hair does not always share the enthusiasm. Salt water can leave it dry and tangled, and pool water can dull your colour or even give it a greenish tint. If you have just come back from a summer of swimming, or you swim all year round, these simple habits will help your blonde stay soft and bright.

What Swimming Does to Blonde Hair

Salt water draws moisture out of the hair, which can leave it rough, frizzy and prone to knots. Combined with sun and wind, it can also make lightened hair feel brittle.

Pool water is treated to keep it clean, and those treatments can be drying too. The green tint many blondes worry about is usually linked to minerals such as copper in the water, which can cling to light, porous hair. Blonde hair shows it much more than darker shades, which is why it is such a common complaint.

Before You Swim

The most useful trick is surprisingly simple: wet your hair with clean tap water before you get in. Hair that is already full of fresh water cannot soak up as much salt or pool water.

• Rinse your hair in the shower before swimming.
• Apply a light layer of leave-in conditioner or a little hair oil to the lengths.
• Tie long hair back in a braid or a low bun to reduce tangles.
• Wear a swim cap if you swim often in a pool.

After You Swim

Rinse your hair with clean water as soon as you can, even if you cannot wash it properly straight away. The less time salt or pool water stays in your hair, the better.

When you do wash, use a gentle shampoo followed by a good conditioner. If you swim regularly in pools, a clarifying or swimmer’s shampoo used now and then can help lift mineral build-up. Follow it with a mask, as clarifying products can be drying. Detangle carefully with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working your way up.

Help Your Hair Recover

After a season of swimming, your hair will thank you for a little extra attention. A weekly hydrating mask makes a real difference, and you can make your own with my DIY hair mask for damaged blonde hair. Go easy on hot tools for a while, and consider a trim if your ends feel rough.

If your colour looks dull or brassy, a purple shampoo can bring back some brightness. If you notice a green tint that does not wash out, it is best to ask your colourist for advice rather than trying strong home remedies on lightened hair.

Enjoy the Water

You do not have to choose between swimming and beautiful blonde hair. A quick rinse before and after, some conditioner and a little patience go a long way. Pair these habits with the protective styles from my summer blonde hairstyles post, and you can enjoy the sea and the pool with confidence.