If you have a blonde-haired child in your family who lives a dip in the pool, you’re probably aware and wary of the effects of chlorine...and with good reason! The chlorine in pools can sometimes tinge blonde hair with a light shade of green. 

But, no matter your child’s hair color, swimming has the potential to damage hair, and chlorine is not the only culprit. Whether your child is swimming in a lake or a pool, continuous exposure to water and sun can be tough on hair. From swim meets to pool parties, kids spend a ton of time having fun in the water, especially in the summer. 

It’s important to make sure your child’s hair is protected while they swim. 

How does swimming damage my kid’s hair?

Swimming is lots of fun — but especially in pools with chlorine and other chemicals, swimming can also cause issues for your kid’s hair. Children’s hair tends to be particularly fine, so chlorine and other pool chemicals are more widely absorbed into the hair follicles. Chemicals like chlorine can make hair brittle, sticky, and dry. 

Even if you’re not swimming in a pool, submerging hair in water for long periods of time can strip moisture out of hair and cause plenty of tangles. Even forgetting the water for a moment, staying out in the sun for too long can cause dryness and damage to your young one’s head! Fortunately, with a consistent hair care routine for your kid’s swim sessions, you can protect against swim damage and help your kid’s hair thrive at the pool and beyond.

How can I protect my kid’s hair when swimming?

Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks to help protect your kid’s hair from damage:

Before swimming:

Before your kid goes swimming, there are a few simple ways to protect from damage. A great way to protect the hair is to wet hair thoroughly before entering the pool. This allows less space for chlorine and other chemicals to permeate the hair follicles. For children with longer hair, another helpful step is to put hair into one or two tight braids before entering the pool. This will prevent tangles and make long hair easier to manage upon exiting the pool. 

Another simple and effective step you can take before swimming is to use a pre-swim conditioner. So Cozy’s Swim Leave-In Conditioner is an excellent option that defends hair from harmful pool chemicals. Spray generously and evenly distribute onto wet or damp hair before entering the pool or water.

A swim cap is the best way to prevent harm to your kid’s hair, because it separates hair from the water entirely. A child swim cap could be a successful option for you and your child for ultimate hair protection. However, swim caps don’t work for every kid, and it is absolutely possible to protect your kid’s hair without a swim cap.

After Swimming:

After swimming, your first step should be to immediately rinse hair thoroughly. You’ll want to wash and wring out any salts or chemicals that may have permeated. Next, wash hair with a clarifying shampoo or kid swimmer’s shampoo. So Cozy’s Swim 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, Wash is a great option — gently massage through wet hair and scalp to create a lather, and rinse.

As a follow-up, it’s also a good idea to use a leave-in swim treatment. So Cozy’s Swim Leave-In Treatment + Detangler helps to restore hair and infuse it with moisture that may have been lost while swimming. Simply spray generously on wet or damp hair after swim time, and leave in for conditioning and treatment.

What products help protect my kid’s hair when swimming?

For your little swimmer, you need a shampoo and conditioner that will protect and repair against chlorine damage. Chlorine is notorious for drying out hair and skin  — so if your kid swims regularly, it’s important to take extra care. SoCozy’s Swim 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, Wash is a convenient all-encompassing product that features activated charcoal, a compound that naturally removes chlorine and green tones from the hair. The formula also includes jojoba oil for strengthening and protection, and coffee seed extract for softness. 

SoCozy Swim Leave-In Conditioner 

Add even more moisture into your swimmer’s hair routine! SoCozy’s Swim Leave-In Conditioner is formulated to protect and repair hair from harmful pool chemicals. It’s infused with beeswax and jojoba oil to prevent chlorine damage, and includes Vitamins A, D, and E to protect against sun exposure. Plus, it features a fresh and fabulous vanilla-lime scent!

SoCozy Swim Leave-In Treatment + Detangler

This hair treatment is the perfect product to use after exiting the pool. This lightweight, ultra-hydrating leave-in conditioning treatment protects, repairs and restores damage caused by pool chemicals, saltwater, and the sun. The Swim Leave-In Treatment + Detangler features activated charcoal, as well as Vitamin B5 for hydration and sunflower seed extract for smoothness. 

SoCozy Sensitive Styling Foam

Frequent swimming can often cause the scalp to become dry, flaky, and sensitive. It’s important that swimmers choose simple and natural styling products to avoid excess buildup and breakage. SoCozy’s Sensitive Styling Foam adds softness, bounce, and definition to hair, without any of the buildup that can cause dryness and damage. The foam provides a natural-looking hold without disrupting the balance of a sensitive scalp. It features rosemary extract to stimulate the scalp, as well as soy protein for softness and volume. Simply pump the foam, and apply evenly through damp hair.

If your little one loves to swim, it’s so important to make sure that their hair stays healthy and protected while in the pool. From chlorine to sun damage, many hair concerns can come along with being a swimmer. Fortunately, a consistent hair care routine filled with safe and natural swim products can prevent damage and protect against harsh pool chemicals. With the help of SoCozy’s swim hair care, you’ll have a happy swimmer with a healthy head of hair!