Journal / Routines
Chlorine, salt and your hair: a swimmer’s routine
Pool water is rough on hair. A few small habits before and after a swim make a real difference.
3 min read
Chlorinated water and salt water can both leave hair feeling dry, rough and tangled, especially if it’s long or color-treated. You don’t have to give up swimming. You just need a routine.
Before you swim
Wet your hair with clean water first. Hair that’s already full of fresh water takes in less pool water. A swim cap helps too, even if it doesn’t keep your hair fully dry.
Straight after
Rinse as soon as you can, even if you can’t shampoo right away. The longer pool water sits in your hair, the worse it tends to feel.
Back home
Shampoo, then towel-dry. If you swim most days, use a small amount of Gold Re-Set as a leave-in. One swimmer who reviewed it tried it as a rinse-out first and saw more difference when she switched to leaving it in, so try both.
Once a week, use more and leave it for two to three minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Keep one in your bag
A tube fits in a gym bag next to your goggles. Hair is easier to detangle when it’s still damp, so apply it in the changing room and comb it through before you leave.
