I'm new here, so this will be my first (of hopefully many) posts.
I recently just started swimming again. I have long hair that I'd like to keep in good condition and I know the chlorine can be harsh on it. I was wondering if any one can recommend a combination of shampoo and possibly swim cap that can help me not damage my hair while swimming. I do currently have a swim cap, I just can't figure out how to get it on my head and cover the entire thing. Maybe I just have a huge noggin and a small swim cap.
The first thing I did when I came here was do a search of the forums and no results were found. Any links, advice or otherwise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Meridius
Former Member
Meridius - it is not obvious if you are male or female. Maybe it doesn't matter.... but caps do come in sizes. The typical Speedo silicone cap is roomy and stretchy and should be able to cover a lot of hair.
As for taking care of hair - I am no expert but I believe one of the keys is to use a "clarifying" shampoo that is designed to remove chlorine. I use a Paul Mitchell product that unfortunately is fairly expensive. I use a much cheaper conditioner that is designed for dry hair and my hair seems to stay in reasonable condition. It is not long hair though.
Hi, Meridius--
My reply to you is also my first post. I have long curly/frizzy hair that I am managing to keep in somewhat decent shape despite swimming three days a week. Here's what I do:
1) I wet it and put on some of your general Suave conditioner (but whatever you like should do...it's about coating it) and I don't rinse it out.
2) I pull it into a ponytail/bun sort of monstrosity.
3) I myself have a large noggin so I feel your pain, but with the conditioner on, the first cap slides on pretty easily. I then use four bobby pins to keep that cap in place at the temples and then behind my ears or at the nape of my neck.
4) And for the topper, I pull on a second cap over the first cap and bobby pins. This seems to really batten down all the hatches. When I only wore one cap, it would constantly bubble at the top of my head and often pop off...:(
5) Oh, and goggles really help keep everything in place too.
I've been using this regimen since October 2006 and I haven't had either cap slide off once and my hair is in darn decent shape, aside from its naturally frizziness :D , all things considered.
Best wishes, happy swimming and perhaps a welcome to both of us!
I'm a guy and I have long hair. I'm extremely vein about it.
Thank you Coopergirl. I'll add all the suggestions to my list. Apparently I need to get a silicone cap as opposed to latex since they stretch more.
My son George Park jr at Park Avenue Hair Design Ladner BC is an Aveda shop they do have great hair products.
I have really thin hair and swim A LOT...so tI ry to be very careful.
Since I was in high school I have always used Aveda hair detoxifier followed by their recontructive conditioner. I use these after my long swims. I would not recommend using them everyday cause they will also dry your hair out. On the other days I use Paul Mitchell or an everday shampoo/conditioner with protein and moisture.
I also never dry my hair unless I have too...that can be very damaging too.
Hope that helps!
Katie
Meridius, I'd love to weigh in, but when it comes to my hair, its a hopeless cause. ;)
I would trust the ladies' advice - they've been worried about this stuff for (some of them) longer than I've been alive.
Well, this is going to be difficult to resolve. How can we get a fair comparison of hair quality in cyberspace?
Four options:
I can email you my former profile pic.
You can go to Austin.
You can come to Colonies Zones next year like all the cool people.
You can join facebook. I know you're short on time, but even doctors and lawyers have to join groups like "I love fly even though it wrecks my shoulders." (There is the additional benefit of seeing some pics from Soldier's Field pool.)
I like this idea. I can embarass my teenagers.
Do I get to say somewhere on my facebook page what my favorite Warren Zevon song is?
My "teenagers" (12 & 14) use my page when they want to email an older friend or swim coaches. LOL. You can say anything. There's a nice space to list your interests and activities. You actually are allowed to say things other than swimming. You can upload as many photos as you want from "back in the day." (I have an old lifeguard pic from SF.) There are many masters swimming groups, the first one started by Ande. You can even send "gifts." I got a pearl from my FAF Draculina Twin. There's a swimmers' book group too. I recommended the Mayo Clinic book on insomnia. Of course, I am biased. ;)
I do have to disagree respectfully with jaegermeister though. I do not like Aveda prodcuts. Sorry Tom. I guess they're the "in" thing in Roch. But your hair may look better than mine.
Well, this is going to be difficult to resolve. How can we get a fair comparison of hair quality in cyberspace?
You can join facebook.
I like this idea. I can embarass my teenagers.
Do I get to say somewhere on my facebook page what my favorite Warren Zevon song is?
