Beach hair without the damage: hairstylists’ tips to protect your hair before you dive in
Every summer, we dream of stepping out of the water with those effortless natural waves and tousled volume that look like they took zero effort. But between salt, chlorine and sun, hair can quickly turn rough and dull. Professional hairstylists’ tips are precisely what you need to nail that look without sacrificing the health of your lengths.
What the pros do before they even get in the water
The most underrated move is rinsing your hair with fresh water before swimming. Celebrity hairstylist James Pecis explained it to Porter magazine: a hair fibre can only absorb a certain amount of water. By saturating it with fresh water first, you mechanically reduce the space available for salt or chlorinated water to penetrate. A few seconds under a shower is all it takes, or even a water bottle if no shower is nearby.
Before diving in, hairstylists’ tips also include applying an oil or leave-in treatment to the mid-lengths and ends. This applies to all hair types. That thin protective layer limits the penetration of damaging agents and reduces the dry feeling after swimming. It’s a quick step, but its effect on the comfort of your lengths is real.
After swimming: the right reflexes to preserve shine
Once you’re out of the water, rinsing your hair with cool fresh water is the reflex hairstylists put at the top of the list. The ambient temperature of the water helps visually smooth the hair cuticle, which translates directly into more shine. This rinse also removes some of the salt or chlorine that built up during your swim.
For straight to wavy hair, James Pecis recommends fully embracing the wet look. Simply comb your lengths back with a wide-tooth comb, then choose a product suited to your natural texture. On wavy or curly hair, a hydrating oil adds shine. On straighter hair, a texturising spray applied from mid-lengths to ends helps boost definition.
- Rinse hair with fresh water before swimming
- Apply an oil or leave-in treatment to the ends before getting in the water
- Rinse with cool fresh water as soon as you get out
- Choose your styling product based on your natural texture
- Use a UV-protective spray rather than additional salt sprays
Hairstylists’ tips for managing drying and frizz
After a swim in the sea, there’s no need to add salt sprays on top of your lengths. Your hair has already been exposed to more than enough salt. A UV-protective spray, on the other hand, serves a dual purpose: it adds a little texture while limiting dehydration and colour fading caused by sun exposure.
While your hair dries, other hairstylists’ tips come into play. A touch of dry shampoo can restore volume at the roots. To keep frizz in check in specific spots, an anti-humidity spray can be applied in a targeted way. These two products help refine the final result without weighing your lengths down.
The care routine to adopt after your holiday
Piling up swims without adjusting your routine will eventually leave visible damage on your hair. James Pecis therefore recommends a clarifying shampoo roughly once a week during the summer months. This type of shampoo removes the chlorine, salt and styling product residue that gradually builds up on the hair fibre.
Hairstylists’ tips don’t stop at washing. After the clarifying shampoo, he recommends following up with a rich conditioner or nourishing mask applied all over the hair. This treatment restores the suppleness and comfort of lengths put through their paces by repeated exposure. It’s this combination of deep cleansing and nourishment that keeps hair healthy throughout the summer.
