Summer means swimming at the beach and days at the pool. The sea and the pool have a bad effect on hair. To remove the chlorine and salt from the hair, many are tempted to wash it every day. Find out in this article if daily hair washing is necessary.
Sea Bathing and Swimming: Should You Wash Your Hair Every Day in Summer?
Summary
Published on March 4, 2024, by Sandrine, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading
Themes:
Effects of Seawater on Hair.
Due to its high concentration of salts, seawater has an alkaline pH of around 8. On the other hand, a healthy scalp has an acidic pH of around 5.5. The acidic pH of the scalp gives it a protective role, which is called the acid mantle. Thus, when swimming in the sea, the pH of the scalp is modified which can lead to a sensitization of the scalp, a drying and an increase in the risk of scalp diseases (dermatitis, etc...). Seawater strips the hair fiber, causing the cuticle to lift and no longer play their protective role. Thus, the hair becomes brittle and rough.
Effects of Chlorinated Water on Hair.
The chlorine present in swimming pool water has harmful effects on the skin but also on the hair. Indeed, like seawater, chlorinated water damages the hair fiber and dries the scalp. The hair becomes more vulnerable to external aggressions and becomes brittle and rough.
In addition, chlorine changes the hair's natural color: dark hair can become lighter and blond hair can have green highlights. In case of frequent bathing, chlorine weakens the corneal layer of the skin of the scalp causing irritation, dryness and dehydration.
Should I Wash My Hair Every Day?
If your hair is not in contact with seawater or chlorinated water thanks to a bathing cap or a high hairstyle, hair washing is not necessary. However, if your hair is in contact with seawater or chlorinated water, washing becomes essential in order to preserve your hair health.
Note: Even if your hair is in contact with seawater or pool water every day, you should wash it every day!
Hair Routine To Adopt After a Swim.
After a seawater or pool swim, a shower is essential to remove the salt water or chlorine from the hair, as well as the sand that has become embedded in it. In addition, the use of moisturizing and lipid-replenishing products during the shower will rebalance the skin barrier on the scalp and restore the cohesion of the hair cuticle.
So, after a swim in sea or pool water, remember to systematically rinse your hair with clear water. Next, choose our nutrition shampoo, which cleanses the hair while moisturizing and soothing the scalp. It is composed of 1% biolipid complex and camellia oil (INCI: "Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil") that rebalance the lipid level in the stratum corneum. It also contains aloe vera (INCI: "Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice") which moisturizes and soothes the scalp.
Continue with the application of our repairing hair mask with biomimetic ceramides (INCI: "Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein"), mango butter (INCI: "Mangifera Indica Seed Butter") and avocado oil (INCI: "Persea Gratissima Oil") that help restore the cohesion of the cuticle. The scales are filled in, the cuticle is smoothed and the cortex better protected.
When your hair is dry, you can use the hair oil. Composed of several plant oils acting in synergy, it improves the health of the hair fiber and the overall appearance of the hair. The hemisqualane it contains helps to close the hair scales, protecting it from external damage.
Source :
PIERARD G. E. & al. Les cheveux et leur environnement. Revue Médicale de Liège (2015).
