Protecting Your Hair with Natural Products

Swimming can have a real effect on your hair.  Lots of people are switching to Saltwater pools, which is supposed to be better for hair and skin.  But it turns out that salt breaks down into chlorine over time, so your hair and skin are still exposed to the damaging effect of chlorine.

By request, I have researched the most popular and effective treatments to protect hair, then "weeded them out" to find the most natural ones.  Here is the routine that I feel would best protect your hair when swimming frequently.  Please use it, and I welcome feedback on your satisfaction with the results, or any changes you would make.  I am not a swimmer, and have never used this routine myself, so am really looking for feedback.

1. Wet hair before swimming.  Combine your favorite conditioner (please use a natural paraben free formula!) with pure jojoba, at a 50-50 dilution.   Apply this mix to your hair, then put on your cap if you are using one.     NOTE:  Don't comb the conditioner through hair--it will cause more breakage.  Simply work it through lightly with your fingers.
2. As soon as you come out of the water, rinse hair with pure water OR club soda.  The club soda is very clarifying and the bubbles supposedly help to remove chlorine.  
3. Wash with a sulphate free, paraben free shampoo after you are done swimming for the day.  I recommend Jash Botanicals' Morocco Method International shampoos as a great natural cleanser, if you can not make your own.  If you have a favorite brand of sulphate free shampoo, use it.  If your hair does not improve with this program, you will know you need to change shampoo brands.
4. If your hair is already damaged, spray it with Morocco Method's natural Volumizer Mist OR Diamond Crystal Mist , which act as a protectant for damaged hair.  Massage through hair gently and allow hair to dry without rinsing. 
5. When hair is dry, carefully brush or comb through it.
6. If hair is damaged, deep condition your hair weekly.  A number of natural products are available for this procedure--check the Jash Botanicals website above, OR use pure warmed jojoba.

Remember--it will take time to regenerate your hair.  Natural products do not carry the polymers/plastics that coat hair and make it feel smooth and shiny, even though it is stripped of its protective coating.  As you clear old chemicals out of your system, gradually your hair will improve, and you will eventually have hair that is shiny and smooth and strong--naturally, without chemicals.  

Kathryn