swimmer's hair

Posted by annebin (287 days ago)

Can anyone recommend a hair product that can help repair, treat or protect my hair from chlorine?

I swim 2-3x a week and swim caps give me headaches.

I wash out the chlorine with regular shampoo and conditioner right away but, since my hair is colored I want to prevent damage.

Any tips?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by 10 (287 days ago)

Hi Annebin,
I have exactly the same problem - swim 3 or 4 times a week and my hair is like straw - really embarrassing.
I have a special swimming / chlorine removing shampoo from my hairdresser but he says to only use it every other time as it will strip the colour.
He suggested buying a 'hair mask' (the type you would put on your hair for a few minutes once a week to deep condition or moisturise) and using it as my regular conditioner ie. every day. I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now and the difference is incredible.
Hope this helps!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (287 days ago)

Annebin,
its a good suggestion that 10 had for you, make sure you wet the hair with fresh water before hand then put your leave in conditioner in. I would recommend Phyto 7 or 9 as they are botanical and have worked great for me in the past. Many over the counter products are not conducive for scalp contact to this degree and often contain waxes that may irritate over time.
As for the Shampoo, 'Aloe Rid' by Nexus is the best I have found and I tend to use it myself in HK once a week as our water is a bit thick here. Ultra Swim is another brand that I have had good luck with and may be easier to find. I would also highly recommend that you have a salon steam based treatment done at least twice a month as you are really putting a strain on things...hope that fills things in. Cheers.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by annebin (287 days ago)

Those were speedy replies, thanks!

So where do I get these products?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 10 (287 days ago)

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. My hairdresser suggested using those intensive hair masks every day as a normal conditioner (wash hair as normal, then condition, then rinse - NOT leave in).
He had the usual salon brands but also suggested trying Body Shop. I couldn't get to a Body Shop so have been using a tube of VO5 deep conditioning mask from Watsons!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by happydays (286 days ago)

I used to have the same problem too and i used VS intensive treatment as regular conditioner and it helps a lot.
you can get it from watson's, mannings or even Park'N Shop at about $30ish for a bottle.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by annebin (286 days ago)

Good to know, thanks!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (285 days ago)

AB, I would still not suggest that you take that coarse. Intensive products can vary by range and unless you know the ingredients intimately you may over proteinize (makes hair brittle) or create other issues as it was intended for a different purpose. Hair is very simple and most require a very easy maintenance plan. Here is a basic plan for you...use a good daily shampoo for three days, then on the forth day or forth shampoo (Aprox) you should use a clarifying shampoo. Leaving it on for 5 minutes before rinsing, this removes deposits and regulates the cuticle allowing the delivery of
vital nutrients. Its the equivalent of wiping a canvas before repainting. Then you want to have a weekly intensive treatment, more so if you swim, and use a basic medium to light conditioner daily. When styling n HK I strongly recommend a cream styling aid, as they tend to repel humidity and add shine. When dry follow with a non-silicon based smoothing agent....That about covers it.

With your treatment you can put a damp towel in the microwave and then wrap your hair, put a dry towel over that and leave for 20 if you can. This simulates the salon steaming process. Speaking of which, I have recently contracted with a manufacturer in China to provide professional steamers for my clients for home use. For some conditioning is a matter of time so I thought his might be of help for some of you. Let me know if you need info...cheers

One note, try and avoid the VS, allot of Dimethicone in their products or other ingredients that hamper penetration...cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by annebin (284 days ago)

Thanks DL.

I have cropped hair and use Schwarzkopf clay at least 4x a week. My cut is pretty low-maintenance as I don't need to blow-dry and takes me less than 10 mins from the shower to style it. I have tried a lot of brands (and types--from gum, wax, gel, mousse..) and find that cream styling aids are too sticky and don't hold the shape for long periods. My stylist says clay is too "hard" for my hair since I have fine-textured strands. I tried using the one he recommends but not happy with the result.

I use the following brands of shampoo and conditioner--Neutrogena, Pantene, L'Oreal Elseve, Vaseline, Finesse, Sunsilk, VO5..no brand loyalty obviously!

Will it help to use any hair product while in the steam room? I spend a couple of minutes there after swimming...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (283 days ago)

Annebin,
First, please don't use Finesse, Sunskilk, Vaseline or VO5 if you can help it. Neutrogena is good but the others use things like Dymetacone, silicons, waxes etc to topically effect the hair meanwhile they are damaging the folicule by clogging it and hair by blocking the cortex from receiving nutrients. I know they feel good but thats a cheap trick they use. I would suggest that you seek out a more botanically based non topical product. If you have to use allot stay away from petroleum based products and silicons. Try the Phyto range, though costlier they are much better for you...I would also say the Karastase Mousse is great...gotta run to a client, let me know if you need further help...cheers.

(I am based in Hong Kong)