How to keep your hair dry while swimming without a swim cap

Q: How can I protect my hair without swimming with a cap?

If you have long hair and dont have a swim cap, tie your hair back in a ponytail, braid, or tight bun. This will minimize contact with chlorine.

When you are swimming, it is important to keep your hair dry. It’s hard enough to keep yourself from getting all wet and then having to deal with the extra task of trying to air dry your hair before you put on clothes again. If you don’t want this problem, there are a few things that can help you out. This blog post will give 5 tips for how to keep hair (somewhat) dry when swimming.

Does a swim cap keep your hair dry

Unfortunately, there is no cap to keep your hair completely dry when swimming, those methods below may help you to make your dry faster after swimming. Double capping may help to keep your hair dry when swimming, but that depends on a lot of variables (your swimming styles, thickness & length of your hair, etc.). If your hair is exposed to chlorine water (aka pool water) for a long period of time, you may experiece loss of color, split ends, etc. That’s swimmer’s hair.

Wear a swimming cap, or two

Believe it or not, but a lot of people do double capping. By wearing 2 swimming caps, water will have fewer chances to get in your hair. This method is not perfect, but it will help you to save a lot of time drying your hair after swimming.

However, double capping may cause some troubles, such as your head will heat up faster, it may cause some discomforts, and it’s also troublesome to put on 2 swimming caps.

Furthermore, if you have long hair when swimming then it may be difficult to put on a second cap. Double capping is not for everybody and some people could even find this method annoying. So try double capping first and see how it goes!

Put your hair in a bun

Tie a bun to your head with a hairband or bobby pin. It will keep your hair away from the water and you won’t have to worry about any seaweed or other stuff getting onto it. This method also protects against chlorine, which can dry out some people’s locks!

Rinse with cold water then use Vaseline or sunscreen

Rinse your hair with cold water right after swimming. This will seal the cuticles of your hair to make it less likely for chlorine or other chemicals from irritating it. You can also use vaseline on wet hair, preferably in dry places that may have been exposed to too much sun. Just remember not to put this anywhere near anyone’s eyes!

Vaseline will act as a waterproof barrier that you can easily rinse off after a swim.

This method won’t keep your hair from getting wet, but at least, it will help you to prevent chlorine or any other harmful chemicals from breaking down the cuticle of your hair.

Use portable hair dryer

If you’re a swimmer, or simply want to make sure your hair is dry after swimming, a portable hairdryer can help speed up the process of drying it. A portable dryer, like the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is the perfect choice for your swimming habit. It’s small, easy to carry, it has styles, and it’s powerful. The downside that it will cost you a bit when purchasing.

Last method: shave your hair

If you don’t have hair, you won’t have to worry to keep hair dry when swimming. Just kidding, but this is the ultimate method.

Final words

Although there’s no perfect method for keeping your hair from getting wet, those 5 methods can help to somewhat extends. It’s also important to take of your hair after each swimming session.

Unfortunately, laws which prohibited Black folk from enjoying community pools during the worst era of segregation have led to a ridiculous stereotype and a million bad jokes. However, there's another issue that has nothing to do with legalities: hair. Men and boys can hop into a lake or the ocean with few worries, but after the tedious work of straightening natural hair, who wants to mess everything up by swimming? Even advancements like relaxers haven't really helped much. If you spend hours styling your hair, or waited all day at a salon and paid someone to style it for you, ruining your 'do with a dip in the pool doesn't make a lot of sense.

Today, however, with the natural movement only growing, many women are shaking off their fear of water. No more running out of the rain, or avoiding the pool at a pool party. Regardless, you don't have to be natural to enjoy swimming. Yes, there will be more upkeep and maintenance to your hair if you swim regularly, but with some care and planning, everyone should be able to swim worry-free. Whether you take a dip every day or only on occasion during the summer, following a routine designed for swimmers will keep your locks healthy and not dry.

Here are some expert-approved tips to protect your natural hair while swimming this summer.

Meet the Expert

Leysa Carrillo is a curly hair and color specialist, a Mizani and Redken ambassador, and founder of Forever Curls, an educational curly hair workshop.

Wear a Swimming Cap

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Swimming caps have come a long way, thank goodness! The old caps didn't even really do their singular job of keeping the hair dry. Today's swim caps are much more varied, and some are even stylish. As for fit, it can still be hit-or-miss, and you can't always try on a cap to see if it's snug and secure before buying. Whether you wear a cap or not is entirely up to you; if it doesn't keep all water out, there's not much point in spending unnecessary money on one.

Wet Your Hair Before Swimming

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If you choose to swim bare-headed, try wetting your hair completely before getting into the pool or ocean. Don't apply conditioner, only fresh tap water. The idea is that running it under water prevents your tresses from soaking up as much chlorine, other chemicals, and salt as they would if you dunked them completely dry.

Braid or Twist Hair Before Hitting the Pool

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Long, natural hair can easily become tangled when wet, so before hitting the water, twist or braid your tresses in several sections. It's not necessary, but it will make detangling an easier task when it's time to cleanse your mane after a day of fun in the sun. Carrillo says, "I normally do a high bun/ponytail, a braid or two French braids to keep the hair from getting too tangled."

Rinse Hair with Clean Water

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When you're done swimming for the day, rinse your hair completely with clean water. This is especially important if you won't be able to wash your hair for a couple of hours after your swim—you have to remove any salt or chemicals as soon as possible to try to prevent damage to your locks.

Wash Your Hair with Conditioner

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If you swim often, shampooing after each swim won't be the best option: you don't want to dry your hair with excessive cleansing. Cowashing is a safe alternative. Focus on cleansing the scalp, while retaining moisture and make sure your locks are completely rinsed with clean water. Carrillo told me, "If I’m going to swim multiple times in a day (like on vacation), I will rinse it really well and clean with cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo. Then use a mask and jojoba oil mixture so the hair is protected for the next day. If I don’t end up swimming then the hair is hydrated and ready to be styled."

And Make Sure to Use a Clarifying Shampoo When Needed

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Even women who don't use clarifying shampoos any other time should consider using one during swimming season. You don't need to use them often, even if you swim frequently. Once a month is still the suggested time frame. These specialized cleansers are designed to remove buildup from products and chemicals, such as those that coat your hair while in a chlorinated pool.

Embrace a Deep Conditioner

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Sun and chemicals can be very drying to your mane, so conditioning after every swim is important. But depending on how often you swim, you may even need to ramp up deep conditioning to as often as once or twice a week. Look for conditioners that are typically recommended for Black hair textures, moisturizing, and designed for dry and damaged manes. Carrillo suggests to "Use a conditioner or hair mask and add a little jojoba oil into the mixture," to help retain your hair's moisture levels.

Lock In Moisture With a Leave-In

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Include leave-in conditioners after each cleansing/co-wash session for additional moisture, whether you prefer a liquid leave-in that keeps your curls lightweight and bouncy, or a creamier formula that coats your strands and prevents further damage on a deeper level.

Add in Some Protein

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If your hair is colored and/or relaxed, protein treatments are something you'll want to do to keep your hair healthy. It's best to maintain a routine so that emergency treatments aren't required. Using products like Joico's Defy Damage Protective Masque ($26) or Olaplex No. 3 ($28) a couple of times per month keeps your tresses strong. Even if your locks are all natural, applying occasional protein can help to maintain your hair's strength.

Dry Hair Thoroughly After Swimming

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Carrillo advises to "Make sure to not go to bed with the hair wet from swimming." Going to bed with wet hair causes tangled hair that can be a pain to work with in the morning, and sometimes an unpleasant smell. Instead, blow dry hair if necessary and sleep on a satin pillowcase, like one from Slip, to try to avoid damage to your tresses.

How can I protect my hair without swimming with a cap?

If you have long hair and don't have a swim cap, tie your hair back in a ponytail, braid, or tight bun. This will minimize contact with chlorine.

What can I use if I don't have a swim cap?

There are a few options you can use in place of a swim cap. You can try a headband, a shower cap, or a bandana. Silicone headbands go over your ears and forehead to make sure no water can seep into your cap. If you don't want to wear a cap, try any waterproof headband on its own.

How do I keep my hair completely dry when swimming?

To try to keep your hair dry as much as possible you can either wear 2 caps (maybe a Lycra cap and a silicone cap over the top) or use a silicone cap which gives a tight fit and should keep most of the water out.