How to Refresh Hair After Swimming

Rinse immediately with fresh water, then cleanse with a clarifying shampoo to remove chlorine and salt buildup.

1. Rinse immediately. Hit the shower within minutes of leaving the pool or ocean. Fresh water dilutes chemicals and salt before they fully penetrate your hair shaft. The longer you wait, the more damage sets in.
2. Cleanse with clarifying shampoo. Use a clarifying formula specifically designed to strip chlorine and mineral buildup. Regular shampoo won't cut through the chemical residue that makes hair feel sticky and look dull.
3. Deep condition. Apply a protein-free deep conditioner from mid-length to ends. Swimming strips natural oils and weakens the hair cuticle, so you need to replace moisture immediately.
4. Detangle when wet. Use a wide-tooth comb on conditioner-slicked hair, starting from the ends. Wet hair stretches more than dry hair, making this the safest time to work through tangles.
5. Apply leave-in protection. Seal with a leave-in conditioner or hair oil before air drying. This creates a barrier against any remaining chemical residue and prevents future damage.