Many swimming pools are treated with chlorine or saline solutions to kill germs and prevent illnesses. In spite of its protective values, chlorine can be very damaging to hair, especially African American hair. African American and other ethnic hair can become brittle and dry from constant chemical exposure or even constant washing to remove the chemicals. These tips will help you minimize damage on African American hair due to chlorine and saline solutions.
Do not color your hair if you swim regularly. The combination of sun and chlorine water will bleach your hair, turning it orange. It will also cause over processing of your hair. Avoid other perms and chemical straighteners during swimming season. Never, ever go swimming after a chemical relaxer. You should wait at least long enough to have washed your hair twice.
Braid or corn-roll your hair and pull it back into a protective style before going swimming. This will expose less of the surface space of your hair to the chlorine water and other chemicals.
Always rinse your hair with clear water from the sink before your get into the pool. Hair that is already saturated will absorb less chlorine water so the tap water will act as a protective barrier.
Put on a swimming cap, especially if you swim regularly. It may be uncomfortable, and you may not even like the way it looks, but it is worth it to keep your hair from becoming brittle and breaking off. Wear conditioner on your hair under the swimming cap. This will serve as an extra protective layer between your hair and the chlorine water.
After swimming rinse your hair immediately to remove any chlorine that may have gotten in your hair. Be careful about shampooing too often or using too harsh a shampoo.
Try specialty products made for swimmers hair. TRI-SWIM, for example is known to remove the green tint that from hair that swimmers commonly get.