Should You Wash Your Hair After Swimming?

Quick answer

After a swim, rinse your hair before you leave the pool area, then wash with a swimmers’ shampoo and use conditioner. If changing-room logistics make a full routine difficult, rinse and cleanse at the pool and finish drying at home.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends rinsing immediately after swimming, followed by swimmers’ shampoo and a deep conditioner. Pack those steps in order so the routine is easy to follow even when you’re in a hurry.

Rinse as soon as you leave the water

Head to the shower before wrapping your hair or getting dressed. Rinse beneath your cap and through your lengths. The AAD’s swim-season hair guidance recommends this immediate rinse, followed by shampoo and conditioner.

Plan the rest around your swim. If you prefer to use your own mirror or dryer at home, rinse and wash at the pool, then finish getting ready there. Keep shampoo and conditioner together in your bag so the second step is easy to remember.

Pick a shampoo labeled for swimming

Choose a shampoo whose maker identifies pool residue or chlorine removal as its purpose. The U.S. directions for Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo describe it as intended to help remove chlorine, copper and pool-related minerals. The brand says to use that shampoo daily or as often as desired, then follow with Swimmers Wellness Conditioner. Those are directions for this product; check the label on your own bottle, since the brand notes that ingredients can vary by formulation and purchase region.

Check the full product name before packing: a shampoo and a separate treatment from the same product range can have different directions. For a straightforward post-swim routine, bring the shampoo and conditioner whose instructions you can follow.

Wash the scalp, then rinse through the lengths

Use shampoo according to its label. The AAD’s hair-handling advice recommends gently massaging shampoo into the scalp and letting it flow through the lengths as you rinse, rather than scrubbing shampoo into the lengths.

Move your fingertips around the scalp, including the sides and back, then rinse thoroughly. If your product specifies a contact time or a second wash, follow those instructions. For frequent swims, check that the shampoo’s directions suit how often you plan to use it.

Leave time for conditioner

After rinsing out the shampoo, apply conditioner as directed. The AAD recommends a deep conditioner after swimmers’ shampoo, so leave enough time for that step before you start drying.

The timing depends on the product. In its official TRISWIM application Q&A, SBR Sports says to leave its conditioner on for two minutes, or while showering your body. Apply it, take care of the rest of your shower, then rinse as directed. For another conditioner or mask, check its own label for contact time.

Make the next swim easier

Before swimming, Speedo’s Canadian hair-care guide recommends showering and wearing a cap to reduce hair’s exposure to pool water. Wet your hair in the pre-swim shower, arrange it comfortably, then put on the cap.

If it feels awkward to fit your hair inside, practice the arrangement at home. A cap is part of preparing for the swim; keep the post-swim rinse and wash in your plan.

Dry gently and pack for your routine

After conditioning, wrap your hair in a towel to absorb water rather than rubbing it dry, as the AAD recommends. Set out a clean towel before you swim so the last step is ready when you leave the shower.

A practical pool bag can hold your cap, swimmers’ shampoo, conditioner and towel together. If you decant products, label each bottle and keep a photo of its directions on your phone, especially if it specifies a contact time. If your hair remains difficult to manage despite gentler care, ask a dermatologist for advice.

Sources

Image credits

Featured image: SHVETS production / pexels.com (original image page)
Body image 1: Hairlust Official / pexels.com (original image page)