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Any long-haired swimmers out there? How do you take care of hair after you've done your laps? I do use a swimmers cap (silicone, not latex) but would like to get some suggestions as to the best way to take care of it after it has been subject to "chlorine shock".
You could follow the link below, it has tons of information in there:
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I used to be a swimmer from childhood through my second year of college and then a lifeguard after that. I used to watch as my hair was destroyed each year and would have to keep cutting it short. I now have hair that goes down to my butt. I think that to have really well kept hair you need to stay away from Chlorine...but most pools are now using Bromine which is not as harsh in many ways. The best info I have heard is if you swim with long hair then use a cap but coat your hair with a conditioner and tuck it all up inside the cap (should be a snug one). Then after swimming, wash well and condition again. I used to use a chlorine shampoo but can't really say if it worked all that well (the chlorine conditioner wasn't very good for detangling hair). I've tried swimming with a braid but that tends to loosen and start tangling. If you braid make sure it is a very tight one (I have to have someone else help me) and a french style might help depending on how your hair is cut.
I have more hair info on my site: http://hairreligion.com
I swim in a pool from three to four times per week.
Your use of a latex cap is a good first step--I also
wear one. When showering after the swim, I use
shampoo to wash out the chlorine, and conditioner
afterwards. I rinse both out in warm water, followed
by a final cold water rinse. Then lightly towel
dry. I always let my hair air dry. It takes about
two hours. I have never used a hair dryer (also known
as a heat gun in the electronics testing business),
and will never use one on my hair. My hair is a little
south of mid-back after 5 years and 4 months--starting
from a buzz cut.
After my hair is dry, I put it up with a scrunchy,
a plastic comb, a barrette, and a small wooden
comb (Kangha). Then I cover it with a cloth turban,
as my Sikh religion requires.
This routine has worked O.K. for me--no split ends, and
the hair is flourishing.
Hope this info. helps.
--Loren