Summertime swimming is great for the soul, but between the chlorine and the salt water, it can absolutely wreck your hair if you aren’t careful. Using conditioner as a pre-swim shield is one of the best ways to protect your hair.
Here is how to maximize that defensive barrier and keep your hair healthy all summer long:
- The “Soak Before You Shield” Method
Never apply conditioner to dry hair before jumping into the pool or ocean.
- Why it works: Hair is like a sponge; it can only absorb so much liquid. If your hair is already saturated with clean water, it won’t have room to soak up the chemical-heavy pool water or dehydrating salt water.
- What to do: Drench your hair completely under a shower or with a water bottle before you do anything else.
- Apply Your Conditioner Generously
Once your hair is wet, apply a generous amount of conditioner from the mid-lengths down to the ends.
- Stylist Recommendations:
- Nutriplenish Light and Deep Conditioners
- Featuring AVEDA’s Pure-Fume™ aroma with notes of cocoa, certified organic ginger, cardamom, and other pure flower and plant essences.
- Cherry Almond Conditioner
- This AVEDA conditioner infuses hair with a sweet, juicy floral pure-fume™ aroma containing 38 flower and plant essences including tonka bean, certified organic orange and ylang ylang.
- Shampure Conditioner
- Smells Like AVEDA – our signature shampure™ aroma – a calming blend of 25 pure flower and plant essences, including certified organic bergamot, lavender, lemon, petitgrain and ylang ylang.
- Nutriplenish Light and Deep Conditioners
These conditioners are packed with natural oils and lipids are excellent because oil and water don’t mix—meaning the barrier will hold up better against the pool or ocean water.
- Comb it through: Use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution so no strand is left unprotected.
- Trap the Moisture
To get the absolute most out of this trick, tie your hair up into a secure bun or braid after applying the conditioner. Even better? Pop on a silicone swim cap. This locks the conditioner in place and creates a physical barrier against the elements.
- Post-Swim Quick Rinse
The moment you get out of the water, rinse your hair immediately.
- Letting salt water or chlorine dry into your hair—even with conditioner on—allows those elements to start bound-breaking work on your hair cuticle as the clean moisture evaporates.
- A quick rinse with fresh water buys you time until you can properly wash it.
💡 Pro-Tip: If you swim frequently, consider using a specialized pre-swim defense product or a leave-in treatment specifically formulated to UV-protect and deflect environmental stressors.