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Writer's pictureShierley Koval

Can I Go Swimming With Hair Extensions?



Swimming is a great way to keep fit and is always a must do activity when on holiday, even if you just want to lounge by the pool or on the beach to get a tan, a swimming pool/ beach is a central attraction for any holiday. But you have hair extensions, and know that they need tender loving care, isn’t swimming going to harm them?


But first, how does swimming affect hair extensions?

No matter whether you’re swimming in the ocean or in a chlorinated pool, both salt and chlorine will have a negative impact on your extensions causing them to become knotted and even worse matted.


The salt water and chlorine can not only affect the actual hair but also what is attaching the extensions to your natural hair, whether that be; micro rings, nano rings, tape, glue or weft.


In fact it is these that need to be kept try and out of the sea or pool water the most, as these are most fragile when wet.


The problem with chlorine and salt water is that it’s extremely harsh on natural hair, drying it out more than normal. So you can imagine the effect they have on hair extensions which naturally become drier just from day to day wear, because they don’t have access to sebum.



Steps To Protect Your Hair Extensions


1. Keep Hair Out Of Water

Your best option to protect your hair from salt water or chlorine is to ALWAYS keep your hair tied up and out of the way of the water. And if you want to protect it even more, pop a swimming cap on! There are many hair style inspirations you can choose from, to make your tresses look ultra chic while splashing around. You can braid them and tie them up into a bun, or create a slicked back high bun for an ultra glam statement. What about an upside down braid that then goes into a bun for a 21st century twist on a classic look? Whatever you do, make sure your hair isn’t left down and able to float around in the pool/sea, as this will increase the likelihood of your hair extensions to mat. Something you don’t ever want to happen especially when abroad on holiday. Once the hair is mat it will be incredibly hard for you to unmat it, if at all.


2. Dry Your Hair Extensions

Once you’ve got out of the pool or sea, and your extensions are wet, it is so important that you gently brush any knots out and dry the extensions bonds and hair as soon as you can to prevent the water damaging them. This is especially so for glued in hair extensions, as the water can cause the glue to ‘unstick’ and move them, or even lose the hair extension.


3. Underwater Swimming

If you are wanting to swim underwater then there are a few steps you can take towards protecting your hair extensions. Please whatever you do, don’t jump straight into a pool or the sea with dry hair.


This is when the damage can instantly be done. You see, your hair will absorb the chlorine and salt water more easily and quickly, as it goes straight from dry to wet. What you should do to try and avoid this damage is to wet your hair with normal water first, that way your hair won’t be able to absorb all the chlorine/salt water because it is already wet.

For example, if we look at a sponge; if it is dry, it will absorb a lot of water, if however it is already wet it will only absorb a little more water. So in relation to wetting your hair extensions with normal water this will mean your extensions will take on less chlorine and salt water than they would if they were dry.


The main aspect to remember when swimming is to avoid getting your hair wet and if you do, make sure it is tied up and not flowing freely.


article by hairextbff

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