If your child loves to swim and has type or type 4 hair....this post is for you. Pool fun and summer time goes hand in hand but don't forget to keep your child's hair protected while hitting the pool! Most swimming pools are filled with chlorine which is incredibly harmful to natural hair. Chlorine’s chemical properties suck out all of the hair’s natural oils and moisture resulting in dry, brittle hair. Here are some before and after hair tips for protecting your child's hair this summer if they will be swimming.
BEFORE SWIM
1. Oil The Hair.
Apply an oil of your choice (ex. olive oil or coconut oil) throughout the hair to help seal in the moisture and prevents harmful chemicals from penetrating the hair shaft.
2. Condition The Hair.
Adding a leave-in conditioner (ex. watery conditioner or conditioning spray) ads another layer of protection from the harsh elements and also assists the hair with retaining it’s moisture.
3. Use A Protective Style
Leaving your hair out is recipe for disaster. Hair will easily tangle and matte in the pool. Putting your child’s hair up into a bun, braids or twists will keep it secure while they swim.
AFTER SWIM
1. Cleanse
After rinsing out the chlorine, cleanse the hair with a cleansing conditioner (co-wash). If your child will not be swimming again for awhile, then use a cleansing shampoo instead and proceed with moisturizing and conditioning as usual.
2. Deep Condition
Using a conditioner after swimming is a critical step in keeping hair healthy after swimming. Separate hair into 4 sections and apply an ample amount of conditioner to the hair. Cover with a thermal cap and let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Restore Hair’s Moisture
The L.O.C. is named for the order in which you apply products to the hair in order to help it retain moisture. L is for liquid (water) or Leave-In. O is for oil. And C is for cream (butters like shea, mango or cocoa are great options).
The Sweet As Honey Collection for kids is a great option to have this summer to protect your child's hair.