Taking a trip somewhere sunny before summer ends? After your afternoon sangria, a quick dip in the pool is still possible with hair extensions! For those who have invested a lot of time and money in their hair, this is great news. Everything you need to know about swimming with hair extensions is covered in this article.
A common question people have is, can you swim with hair extensions? In a nutshell, the answer is yes, but it depends on the type of water you’re swimming in and how well you take care of your extensions. It is not recommended to swim in seawater, however chlorinated and freshwater is fine.
Read on to learn more about the rules of swimming with hair extensions.
Can You Go Swimming Wearing Hair Extensions?
As mentioned above, a variety of factors determine whether you can swim with hair extensions. These factors include how you look after your extensions, the environment where you’ll be travelling, and the type of water your extensions will be in.
In Sea Water
Can you go swimming with hair extensions in seawater? Unfortunately, no. This goes for all kinds of hair extensions. Ultimately, excessive exposure to saltwater can damage your hair extensions and cause matting.
In Chlorine
You can swim in chlorine water with hair extensions. This means that you won’t need to worry much about your hair extensions if you’re travelling abroad for a typical “pool holiday”. However, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to keep on top of your hair care maintenance.
Making sure your hair extensions are conditioned before swimming is the first and most crucial step in caring for them while you swim. Use a conditioner made specifically for hair extensions because regular conditioners can lead to build-up and a tangled mess, which is something no one wants.
In Fresh Water
Are beaches and pools not your thing? Perhaps the picturesque lakes of Scotland or Wales are more appealing to you. If that’s the case and you plan on embracing your inner dare-devil and jumping in and out of lakes and cliff jumping from incredible heights, know that you can swim with hair extensions in freshwater.
Swimming with hair extensions in fresh water follows the same rules as swimming in chlorine: condition, condition and more conditioning!
A good tip to know is that braiding or tucking your hair out of the way is a great way to protect your extensions whilst still jumping in and out of the pool. Bianca Arussi, co-owner of J’Adore salon in Beverly Hill reiterates this by saying “I recommend keeping hair braided or in a low bun while swimming to help avoid tangles […] But not in a ponytail, as this only adds extra tension on the keratin bonds“.
Learn more about how to prevent damage to hair extensions in our recent blogs, Do Hair Extensions Cause Damage, and Do Hair Extensions Cause Hair Loss?
How Long Can You Swim With Hair Extensions?
Limit your time in the water with extensions to 2 hours at most. This is because prolonged contact to water can cause damage to the bonds or cause the tape-ins to break.
How Do You Protect Your Hair Extensions When Swimming?
When travelling, whether to a seaside town, abroad, or for a weekend in the Peak District, the keys to keeping your hair extensions looking their best are planning and protection.
Here are 3 ways you can protect your hair extensions when swimming.
Wear a Swimming Cap
It may not be the most fashionable option, but it is certainly the most effective. Your hair will be out of reach of water in a swimming cap, meaning you won’t have to worry about what to do to ensure your extensions remain healthy.
Tie Your Hair Up (Not in a Ponytail)
Braids or a low bun are the ultimate go-to for swimming with hair extensions. This is because, unlike a ponytail, your hair will be completely out of the way and won’t be at risk of getting wet. Additionally, unlike high hairstyles, low hairstyles do not tug on your extensions.
Learn more about hair extension-friendly hairstyles in our blog, Can You Put Your Hair Up With Micro Ring Extensions?
Condition Your Hair Before You Swim
You should wet your hair with clean water and apply conditioner to your extensions 2″- 5″ down from the attachment before going swimming. Then, when you are in the water, try to keep your hair above the water when possible.
Note that you should avoid conditioning the attachment area. This could cause the attachment to slip out of place and require re-attachment.
How to Look After Your Extensions After Swimming
Thoroughly Dry Your Hair Immediately After Swimming
Your hair extensions’ bonds may weaken if they get wet. So, it’s essential to completely dry your hair after swimming to avoid any damage. Remember to blow dry your extensions with a hairdryer rather than letting them air dry. Depending on the type of extension, this could affect the attachment.
Address Any Knots Straight Away With the Correct Brush
After you’ve had a few laps of swimming, address any knots right away to avoid any further entanglement. Use a paddle brush or a comb with looped bristles to brush your extensions. When working with damp hair, these brushes will help prevent hair damage. Always firmly grip the lengths of your hair whilst you detangle.
Use a Cleansing Shampoo
A quality cleaning shampoo will clear your extensions of debris, dead skin cells, body oil, and dirt. Don’t use any products that contain SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Alcohol Denat, SD Alcohol 40, Propanol, Isopropyl, or Propyl.
Visit our website to learn more about hair extension aftercare in general. There, we go over all you need to know! We also have a detailed blog on the best shampoos and conditioners for hair extensions.
Award Winning Hair Extensions at The Hair Alchemist
The Hair Alchemist is an award-winning hair extension salon, specialising in luxury Russian hair extensions. We offer a number of types of hair extensions, including Russian hair extensions, micro rings, and clip-in extensions. We only use quality Russian and Slavic hair for our extensions due to its health, strength, and quality.
Take a look at our options online today or get in touch for more information by giving us a call at 07538970628.