Help a Swimmer Out!!!

[DiasporaLuv]

Hello ladies I need some help...

I swim 2-3 times a week and co-wash after. Is it healthier to blow dry my hair 2-3 times a week or would a relaxer/texlax that didnt require so much heat actually be kinder to may hair? I have very thick 4a hair that seems to be able to take a fair amount of abuse.

My swimming and hectic schedule are not negotiable, but my hair is. I should also add that wash and go styles that have you leaving the house with wet hair is not an option at them moment, life has me in a part of the country where its just too cold most of the year for wet hair!

thoughts???

 

[Priss Pot]

Blow drying 2-3 times a week is excessive and would more than likely cause damage to the hair. How long is your hair? If it's long enough, perhaps you could pull it back into a bun after washing?

How would you style your hair after swimming if you relaxed it? Would you still be blow-drying it?

Maybe if you put braids in your hair that would be a better option. That way after you cowash, just wrap your hair in a microfiber towel to absorb the majority of the water, and let your hair air dry the rest of the way.

 

[LongLeggedLife]

I used to be on a swim team+lifeguard as a youngster when I was relaxed, the chlorine took my hair out, I would definitely stay away from the relaxer!! In my experience, chemicals in relaxers, and chemicals in pool water do not mix.
This very situation led to me getting my first "Halle Berry" cut, b/c my hair was so eaten out by the end of the summer

If you want to do a wash and go, just blow dry it with a diffuser so you wont have to leave the house with wet hair.
But as long as you arent using super high heat, I dont see why you cant continue to blowdry and do whatever style you want....are you having problems?

 

[LiftedUp]

I don't think that such constant blow drying is healthy for your hair.

When I was swimming weekly, my swim reg was to saturate my hair in conditioner before putting on a shower cap followed by my swim cap. When I got out of the pool I rinsed following with a leave-in and moisturizer then air dry in loose braids. Heat wasn't an option.

eta: If wash and go styles aren't an option invest in a hair dryer. It reduces the impact of direct heat. Ensure that your roots are dry and bun.

 

[swimfan09]

Hello, Diaspora! I am a swimmer - but in the last few years I have cut back dramatically on my swimming due to the time involved with taking care of my hair.

I have relaxed hair that is APL.

I discovered years ago that swimming was tough on my hair after I had a hand injury and I couldn't swim and I had to leave my hair alone (couldn't do a lot of blow drying, etc). That is when my hair started to grow.

I take it that you are natural. Do you blow dry to get a straight style?

I relax because it seems that my relaxed hair can take more "abuse" than my natural hair could - go figure!

However, when it comes to swimming with relaxed hair - you MUST take extra precautions. The relaxing will make your hair dry and then the chlorine in the pool will make it extra extra dry and really really break - you are really swimming in a diluted solution of Clorox - unless the pool uses another type of water disenfectant, like a salt solution.

I definitely wet my hair with water and put in a leave in conditioner before I get into the pool. Immediately after being in the pool, you need to wash your hair with clarifying shampoo, like Ultra Swim or some shampoo designed to remove chlorine. Swim caps are a waste of time - they are really designed to give swimmers more slip in the water, not to keep water out, plus many of the rubbery ones pull on your hair.

After washing with a chlorine removal shampoo, deep condition, then put in a light leave in conditioner and seal with oil.

I too have a very hectic schedule most of the year - i am an educator so summer time is much more relaxed for me - that when I tend to do most of my swimming because I have more time to take care of my hair. I also do a lot of ocean swimming in the summer - and last summer, I suffered no set backs because I took the time to really take care of my hair

I do other types of workouts when I am not swimming.

Please let me know if this helps.

 

[swimfan09]

Oh, yeah - I almost NEVER blow dry my hair - I do live in a warmer climate so I don't have to worry about wet hair and the cold - but if I did, I would wrap it with head scarves then top with a hat.

 

[DiasporaLuv]

This forum is a wealth of knowledge!!!

I should add that my hair is shoulder length when straight and so I blow dry til Im 50% dry to get more length and speed up the drying. Thats why I thought maybe a relaxer would dry faster and give me the length so heat wouldnt be as necessary.

I guess Im looking for a miracle: to swim but no to have a super involved regiment!!! Im not opposed to braids but would prefer to enjoy my own hair.

Based on the comments Im leaning towards staying natural. Am I wrong in thinking texlaxing is less damaging than full out relaxing?

 

[Tiye]

I texlaxed for years back before it was called that. IMO the potential for damage is the same whether you leave the relaxer in for a longer or shorter amount of time so if you want to maintain a natural look, and stay on growth track then I say avoid that option. I vote for careful use of the blow dryer. Also consider braiding your own hair without extensions.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

Here's my swimming routine:

http://newlynatural.com/blog/my-swimming-routine/

and my swim cap combo:

http://newlynatural.com/blog/2010/03/winning-combination/

Definitely would not blowdry that much.