competitive swimmers - hair tips

[ccgirl]

My DD8 has been competitive swimming for about a year. She always wears a swim cap but her hair is exceptionally dry. Does anyone have any tips to restore and keep the moisture in her hair when she is in the pool so often?

Many thanks.

 

[bekkiz]

There is no real solution to this problem (I started swimming at 12 and played water polo through college and until I got pregnant at 27). Rinsing your hair before putting on a cap, or using a spray in conditioner can help, but it can also make your cap slide off. I used Alberto Vo5 for a long time and helped a lot, but I have no idea if they still make it. Any deep conditioning treatment should help. But, just know, it is a tough battle

 

[dakcp2001]

Go to Sally's and get some FERIA conditioner it comes in a white tube. Use this every time she washes, it is a deep conditioner and has done wonderrrrs for my formerly dry hair. She needs some deep conditioner!

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks for the tips. I read to put in some egg in the hair, cover with a bathing cap, and rinse out. I tried that except, apparently, the water I used to rinse it out was a little too warm and the egg ended up getting scrambled in her hair. I tried to get it out as much as I could and sent her to school the next day. She was itching her head so bad the teacher sent her to the nurse (concerned about lice I'm sure). The nurse checked her head and couldn't find anything other than this "white substance". She asks my DD what kind of shampoo she used and my DD told her, "I didn't use shampoo, mommy put egg in my hair." Luckily, she and the nurse have a great relationship and the nurse thought it was quite comical. She brought her back to class and let the teacher know she was cleared and just had a little scrambled egg in her hair. The teacher said next time bring her in a cheese omelette. I was soo embarassed!!!!

 

[allyphoe]

We just use conditioner (no shampoo) for DD7.5. Glop it on, rinse it almost (but not completely) out. Keeps her hair looking great.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Don't know if you can get it in the states. Company called bay swim and they have a product called hair rinse. They also sell soap and tog wash. Try google or pm me and I would be happy to chase up for you.

 

[roscoepc1]

Hairstylist and mom of swimmers here. Baking soda. Not kidding. Mix with water, glop it on, work through, let it sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off. It's like a miracle. The pH balances the chlorine pH....

 

[XYSRUS]

My oldest has been swimming since he was 5...first have your DD get her hair wet in the shower before she even gets in the pool. Wet hair will absorb less pool water. Use any "clarifying" shampoo, he uses Paul Mitchell, lots of conditioner and Moroccan oil for styling. The oil is pretty pricey but he has long hair for a boy and it makes all the difference. Good luck with the swimming!

 

[littleteapot]

I wet dd's hairs and put conditioner on it before we put on her swim cap.

 

[indimom]

I wet dd's hairs and put conditioner on it before we put on her swim cap.

I know the pools do not like when you leave product in your hair, but I agree with this advice. DD did a lot of swimming a few years back (almost daily) and her hair was in horrible shape. The beautician suggested this and it really worked. She said the "cheaper" the conditioner, the better, but I don't remember why.

 

[shortbun]

I know a girl who saturates her hair with olive oil twice a week and lets it sit for a couple of hours. She was an olympic diver/alternate so she spent lots of time with her hair in chlorined water. She also kept her hair short and used a clarifying shampoo to remove the chlorine.

 

[100%gemini]

Malibu is for swimmers. My hairdresser found it for me because she can get it cheaper. It is an entire treatment for swimmers hair. Also I have the girls use Suave for color treated hair, the shampoo and the conditioner. They also wear their swimcaps, too. I have 2 girls that are 7 and 10 and they swim 3 days a week. They also sell Malibu hair products at some sporting good stores.

 

[krcit]

Thanks for the tips. I read to put in some egg in the hair, cover with a bathing cap, and rinse out. I tried that except, apparently, the water I used to rinse it out was a little too warm and the egg ended up getting scrambled in her hair. I tried to get it out as much as I could and sent her to school the next day. She was itching her head so bad the teacher sent her to the nurse (concerned about lice I'm sure). The nurse checked her head and couldn't find anything other than this "white substance". She asks my DD what kind of shampoo she used and my DD told her, "I didn't use shampoo, mommy put egg in my hair." Luckily, she and the nurse have a great relationship and the nurse thought it was quite comical. She brought her back to class and let the teacher know she was cleared and just had a little scrambled egg in her hair. The teacher said next time bring her in a cheese omelette. I was soo embarassed!!!!

That's hilarious!!! My dd's aren't on a swim team but my dd's hair was turning green from the chlorine in our pool. The stylist told me to get the special shampoo to remove chlorine. I can't remember the name but I'm sure you could find it at a beauty supply store.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks again everyone. Some great advice. I started the olive oil this weekend. I will also try the baking soda, the pH makes perfect sense! Then, I will do a conditioner as preventative. The DIS rocks!