Pinkxxcutie ponders…Okay so the pool just opened up and its getting really hot outside, meaning another season of dry, frizzy, dehydrated hair! Ive been looking online for some solutions to help keep your hair hydrated while, and after swimming. Are there any good products or remedies to help keep your hair in mint condition all summer? I also discovered a line called Ellin Lavar Textures. Apparently their products include sunscreens and oils, is this legit or just another marketing scam?
The Left Brain replies:
Frolicking at the pool certainly can cause problems for your hair. From a technical perspective here are two types of products that may help.
Prevent chlorine from reaching your hair
The main problem with pool water is that it contains chlorine which can not damage your hair’s precious protein but it can also affect the color of the hair. Of course you can always keep out chlorine by wearing a bathing cap but if you’d prefer not to, you could use a good conditioner that contains dimethicone. I have seen data (unpublished, unfortunately) which shows that dimethicone containing conditioners like Pantene and Tresemme do a good job of blocking chlorine from reaching the hair. Also, although I’ve never tested it, I think it’s safe to assume that heavier oil based products like hairdressings would have the same, if not better better, effect. Such products will be difficult to wash out, however.
Neutralize chlorine after it penetrates your hair
Certain products have the ability to neutralize chlorine even after it has entered your hair. Look for hot oil products that contain an ingredient called polyethylene ime, or PEI for short. PEI can complex with chlorine and remove substantial amounts from hair. You might also try shampoos, like UltraSwim, which contain thiosulfite. Thiosulfite is a reducing agent that reacts with the chlorine to render it harmless. While I’ve never personally tested these products there’s enough technical rationale behind them to make them worth a try.
Ellin Lavar Textures
Now, in regards to the product you asked about, we looked at the Ellin Lavar Shine collation and found that it supposedly contains a variety of natural oils such as Brazil nut and Capuacu seed butter. Of course the website only tells you about these natural oils But if you look at the full ingredient list for the Treatment product you’ll see that the first three ingredients are Parafinum Liquidum (aka mineral oil), Isohexadecane, and Cyclomethicone. If left in hair these should do a very nice job of keeping out chlorine. However, there are many other products which are much cheaper which will do the same thing (like baby oil, for example.)
Finally, you asked if sunscreens for hair are a marketing scam. Sunscreens do very little for hair, especially from a rinse off shampoo or conditioner. That’s because the surface area of the hair is so high it’s difficult to cover it with a thick enough film to actually absorb a significant amount of UV radiation. Don’t waste your money on expensive hair care products just because they have sunscreen.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
With a little forethought you can protect your hair from swimming pool water. But if you do engage in unprotected swimming, you still a chance to get rid of the damaging chlorine if you chose the right products.
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolep72/2282949456/sizes/m/in/photostream/
Got chlorine? Shop for solutions using our links and help support the Beauty Brains!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Typo: I think you left out the word “only” in this sentence, “The main problem with pool water is that it contains chlorine which can not damage your hair’s precious protein but it can also affect the color of the hair.” which changes the meaning significantly.
Thanks for a great article!
Great tips especially that summer is here! How I wish I have known your blog before! You have a very good site here.
Hey this was my question thanks so much for posting it publicly!
This website is so amazing and I am so glad I found it. Its actually relieving to know that all those products available don’t really have anything spectacular to them as it they make it seem. I used to spend tons of money on hair products – it was my obsession! Now the options are much easier to choose from!
I am a competitive swimmer and have used UltraSwim for years. I also highlight my hair. The problem with it is that it does dry out your hair, so you have to really deep condition it after. Also, it may cause your color to fade if you color-treat your hair (because it has to get the chlorine out, some color is going to go with it – it can’t really be helped).
I’ve always seen the pre-condition trick mentioned but the problem is that if you also wear a swim cap, that thing will slide right off your head. And a swim cap is essential if you are doing laps and not casually lounging in the pool. Plus your pool water will get really gross. So if you’re more of a casual swimmer. I guess you could do the pre-condition thing if you don’t care about the pool water. But if you compete or swim laps regularly just try to avoid getting your hair wet whatsoever when you use a cap. My question for the BB’s is, would a rinse with cold water the second you get out of the pool do anything to dilute the chlorine that’s touched your hair? I’ve also heard of doing this but I don’t know how much regular cold water can help rinse.