If you’re like many people, you enjoy spending time at the beach in the summer. There’s nothing quite like feeling the sand between your toes and taking a dip in the ocean. But what about your hair? Is salt water good for your hair? In this post, we will discuss 4 things to consider before jumping in and benefits on your hair from taking a dip in the ocean!
In recent days, there has been a bit of a craze around salt water for hair. People are swearing by spraying salt water into your hair, letting it air dry, and then rinsing it out as a way to get beachy waves. But what about actually being in the ocean? Does that have the same affect on your hair?
And honestly, it depends. There are a lot of factors that can affect your hair while you’re at the beach and in the ocean.
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Is Ocean Water Good For Your Hair? What To Consider
Dyed Hair
While the ocean water can be great for your hair, if you have dyed or bleached hair, you may want to stop and think before getting your hair wet. The salt in ocean water can strip away the dye or bleach from your hair, leaving your hair looking dull and lifeless. In addition, if you have dyed or bleached hair, the sun can also cause your hair to fade. So if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, you may want to skip getting your hair wet in the ocean.
Dry/Brittle Hair
If you have dry or damaged hair, you may also want to be cautious before getting your hair wet in the ocean. The salt water can further dry out your hair and make it more difficult to manage. In addition, if you have any open cuts on your scalp, the salt water can irritate them and cause them to sting.
How Much You’re in the Water
One is to think about how often you go in the water, once a week, once a month, every day for a year? How long you spend in the water is also something to consider. Are you going for a quick dip or are you swimming laps for an hour?
How Quickly You Can Wash Your Hair After
You will want to wash your hair fairly quickly after being at the ocean, to try and remove some of the excess salt. Whether this is just a quick rinse at a beach shower, or when you get home, it’s important to wash it out. And condition thoroughly.
Keep reading: Can you swim in the ocean at night? How to get sand out of your hair
At the end of the day, whether or not you decide to get your hair wet in the ocean is up to you. And now let’s look at some benefits of ocean water on your hair!
Is The Ocean Good For Your Hair? Benefits
Salt water can be good for your hair! The salt in ocean water can help to remove excess oil and product build-up from your hair. This can leave your hair feeling cleaner and looking healthier. In addition, salt water can help to add volume and texture to your hair, and even add in some nutrients to your hair.
Salt Water Acts As An Exfoliant
The salt in ocean water can also act as an exfoliant. This means that it can help to remove dead skin cells from your scalp and hair. This can leave your hair looking and feeling healthier and more vibrant. Exfoliating your scalp and hair is a good way to remove built-up dirt, oil, and product from your hair. It can also help to stimulate blood flow to your scalp, which can promote hair growth.
Salt Water Volumizes Hair and Helps Create Waves
If you’re looking for beachy waves, salt water can help with that too! The salt in ocean water can help to add volume to your hair and create natural-looking waves. This is because the salt helps to rough up the cuticle of your hair. This can leave your hair looking fuller and more voluminous. In addition, the salt can help to create texture in your hair, which can give you natural-looking waves.
Now, you will want to wash your hair out after going in the ocean, but it will create a great look for a few hours!
Ocean Water Is Full of Nutrients
Not only will the ocean act as an exfoliant on your scalp and give you some wavy hair, it can also add in nutrients into your hair! The ocean is full of minerals and nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. These minerals can help to nourish your hair and scalp. In addition, they can also help to add shine and softness to your hair.
So now that we know all the benefits of salt water for hair, what are some ways to protect your hair while in the ocean, while still getting some of the benefits?
Protecting Your Hair In The Ocean
If you’re determined to get your hair wet in the ocean, there are a few things you can do to protect it.
- Wet your hair with fresh water before going into the ocean. This will help to dilute the salt water and minimize its effects on your hair.
- Wear a swim cap. While this won’t keep your hair completely dry, it will help to protect it from the salt water.
- Use a leave-in conditioner. This can help to add some extra moisture to your hair and protect it from the salt water.
Whether you’re looking to add volume and waves, remove dead skin cells, or simply nourish your hair with some added minerals and nutrients, salt water can be a great option for your locks. Just be sure to consider the pros and cons before taking a dip in the ocean! And if you have any concerns, always consult with a professional hairstylist.