new thread
I haven't been swimming since my hair has grown out, but I'm going to camp out near a lake this summer. What do you guys do with your hair when swimming?
I've heard that indoor pools require use of a cap to keep loose hairs out of the water filters. I wouldn't have to worry about that in a lake, but I wonder if I should keep it in a ponytail while swimming.
I used to put mine in a ponytail for swimming, but when I became serious about lap swimming, I found it would end up caught under my arm on each stroke. I then started using a "claw clip" to keep it in a kind of bun. That was pretty good.
However , the best thing I've found is a swim cap made of Lycra/Spandex type fabric. I don't know whhere to get them now. This one was bought at a YWCA, back when their pool rules mandated a cap for anyone with long hair. The cap is hair-friendly, no pulling or tearing, and is easy to put on. It also stays on well. Maybe stores that cater to "racing swimmers needs" stock them.
Saul.
Hi Saul,
It depends on your hair thickness. I swim a lot and always wear my hair in a ponytail when swimming, because it is too long and thick to get in a cap properly - plus I don't like the look of caps. If your hair is thinner/shorter, a cap will be a more viable option.
Speedo makes silicone rubber swim caps that are excellent
for longhairs. You can get a package of small, for-pony-tail
rubber bands at Wal-Mart. The Speedo caps you can get at
any good sporting goods store, e.g., SportMart. These caps
are pricey--like maybe $9-$11. But they will not cling to
your hair and pull out your hair strands like the cheaper
neoprene rubber caps will (the kind that you will find
typically in drugstores at maybe $3-$4 each).
The silicone rubber caps require a little bit of care.
After each use, they should wiped out with a towel and
allowed to air dry. Then, before the next use, they should
be dusted with talcum powder on the inside.
I have used these caps for the past four years as my
hair has grown (now down to south of my shoulderblades)--
and they have worked very well.
I participate in a Master's (adult) swimming group,
and usually swim about 3 or 4 mornings of the week.
Good luck,
--Loren
Links to an article on this subject:
http://content.ebody.com/hair_care/articles/200005/article1427.html
http://content.ebody.com/hair_care/articles/200005/article1430.html
Thanks for providing those article links. I will probably just keep it in a ponytail using an elastic band, because I'm going swimming in a lake without salt water or chlorine.