Life&Style

Whether you are a serious swimmer or just take a dip in your local pool every now and again, you must follow some serious guidelines to make sure your hairstyle and colour has the longevity it deserves, and avoid mishaps that leave you running to the salon!

Try to avoid swimming for at least a week after a bleach tint perm or highlights – give your hair a chance for chemical treatments to settle in order to prevent any chemical reactions or any mishaps like hair turning green, premature colour fade, dehydration or breakage. The same applies to hair extensions leave them a few days when freshly done as it gives the bonds and hair a chance to settle, soak the hair with tap water before you swim and apply a conditioning mask to the very ends comb through and braid to protect from damaging elements and tangles.

“Rebecca Adlington is always in a pool but her hair colour doesn’t fade nor does her hair appear dry – what does she use to ensure this?”

Blondes may have more fun, but when they exit a swimming pool, blondes can find they have a little more trouble too.

I’m sure you’ve heard that swimming pools can turn blonde hair, green. This is a drastic result, which would probably have led from entering the pool prematurely after having a treatment, and is certainly not common. You will never see Rebecca Adlington leaving the pool with a green tinge as she follows a strict hair care routine that ensures her hair is kept moisturised and receives minimum exposure to the pools harsh chemicals.

Here are some tips to make sure you leave the pool looking like an Olympic athlete

1. Always soak your hair with fresh tap water before entering the pool to prevent your hair filling up with chlorinated water

2. Once your hair is wet apply some Moroccan oil argan coconut or olive oil to the palms of your hands run through your hair this will act as a treatment, whilst making the hair slightly waterproof preventing the harsh chlorinated water from damaging your hair when you are swimming.

3. Use a sunscreen UVA sun protection spray to protect your hair and prevent your locks from fading or drying out.

4. Always give your hair two really good shampoos. For colour treated hair use a colour saving shampoo. For dry damaged or brittle hair try using a super hydrating or anti chlorine shampoo soon after swimming and remember to rinse for quite a while to ensure you flush out any unwanted chlorine deposits.

5. Always finish off with a deep conditioning hair mask leave on for at least 10 -15mins. If you are in a rush, use a hydrating conditioner and leave on for 2 -3mins.  (Go for the best choice of products to suit your hair type)

After-swimming products

Although preparing your hair for swimming is of utmost importance, the aftercare is equally crucial in making sure the colour and health of your hair is maintained to their best standard. Many of my clients partake in a number of sports including swimming, and here are some of the products they cannot live without:

• Deep conditioning mask
• Leave in conditioners
• Moroccan hair oil
• Heat styling lotion (for protection)
• UVA protection
• Colour care and colour refreshing shampoos and conditioners
• Hydrating deep conditioning shampoos and conditioners
• UVA spray protection lotions
• Serums
• Wide tooth comb or tangle teezer brush (always comb from the ends up to prevent split ends)
• Regular trims and colour refreshing at the salon (Don’t leave it too long!)

Learn more about Sculpture

See the Speedo Sculpture range or find out how Speedo Sculpture works