The Ultimate Guide to Pool-Proof Hair
Beat the heat, dodge the chlorine damage and keep your colour looking salon-fresh all summer long.
Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by these sporadic heat waves.
Now that summer’s officially here, it’s time to plan a beach day, scope out your local pool or conveniently befriend someone with one of their own. Whether you’re diving in (and going full mermaid) or lounging with a spritz in one hand and a Kindle in the other, it’s easy to let your hair routine slide for the day. But what if you could protect your strands and serve poolside cool-girl energy with no frizz or damage in sight?
“Summer is all about good vibes, feeling your best, having fun and living freely. Your hair routine should match that energy,” says Yodit “Yoyo” Michele, a Montreal-based hair artist who specializes in textured and curly hair. “It doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful.”
Let’s get a little scientific for a moment: both chlorine and UV rays can seriously compromise your hair. Chlorine strips it of natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage, while UV exposure can damage hair proteins and cause colour to fade more quickly.
So, if you’re wondering how to protect hair from chlorine and if you can protect your hair poolside this summer, the answer is yes. You can cannonball without sacrificing your hair health. We asked the pros so you don’t have to.
Protective Poolside Hairstyles
“Summer is the perfect season to embrace protective styles that not only keep your curls healthy but also offer maximum versatility,” says Michele. “Knotless braids, twists, and cornrows are go-to options that are low-maintenance, time-saving, and always event-ready, whether you’re poolside or out for the night.”
These styles not only help reduce manipulation and breakage, but they also keep textured hair tucked away and tangle-free during swim days.
Carolyn Mila Shariff, master colour technician at Alibi Cutting Room, agrees that protective styling is all about minimizing damage, especially since wet hair is more prone to breakage. For looser hair patterns, her go-to tip is to “loosely pull your hair back, bonus points if you leave a few strands out at the front, then twist and clip.”
Hydration Is Your Friend
The #1 rule both experts swear by? Rinse your hair before and after swimming. Like, immediately. “Your hair acts like a sponge,” explains Shariff. “If it’s already wet with clean water before you swim, it won’t absorb as much chlorine or saltwater.”
Post-pool, Michele says the key is moisture and protection. After rinsing out the salt and chlorine, she recommends following this sequence: a gentle, moisturizing shampoo, a deep conditioner, a hydrating leave‑in, sealing with jojoba oil, and finally styling into a low‑tension style to lock in hydration.
How to Make Your Hair Colour Last
“Freshly coloured hair is more porous,” warns Shariff. “That means it will absorb more chlorine and fade faster. If you’re getting highlights before a vacation, try to book at least two weeks ahead to give your cuticle time to close down.”
For redheads, artificial red shades fade the fastest in the sun. “Unless you want to live in a hat, plan on more frequent gloss appointments to maintain the vibrancy,” she said.
For blondes, her unpopular opinion is that the sun can actually enhance the hair colour. “The sun has a bleaching effect, so if you like your hair bright bright bright, forgo the hat. If you’re a more neutral or ashy blonde, do not follow this tip.”
And for those tempted by “brightening” sprays: proceed with caution because they’re usually packed with citric acid. “They’re not going to give you the sun-kissed highlights of your dreams; they’re going to turn your hair orange,” explained Shariff.
The Ingredients Your Hair Loves—and Hates
When it comes to UV hair protection and shielding your hair from chlorine or salty ocean water, what’s in your products is just as important as how you use them. According to Michele, the key is reaching for formulas packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, glycerin (in moderation) and water-soluble silicones. Just as crucial? Knowing what to skip—namely, sulfates, drying alcohols and non-water-soluble silicones, which can cause buildup and leave strands parched.
Christine Jean-Baptiste is a Haitian-Canadian culture writer based in Montréal, Quebec. Her work has been featured in FASHION Magazine, Elle, Vogue, Architectural Digest, and more. You can keep up with her work on Instagram and Twitter (@itsmcjb)
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