Swim Cap Guide

How to Protect Your Hair While Swimming

Do mermaids swim in chlorine? Maybe when we’re not looking. Whether or not you believe in these mythical creatures, we’re here to focus on you. Specifically, on your hair, and how to protect it while swimming in pools, oceans or your neighborhood lake. 

The best way to protect your hair, no matter where you’re swimming, is by wearing a swim cap. If painful, hair-pulling contraptions come to mind, think again. Modern swim caps are as cute as they are functional, designed to prevent breakage and damage while looking fabulous. 

So whether you’re losing hair, dealing with scalp sensitivity, or just want to safeguard your luscious locks, here’s the rundown on protecting your hair while swimming. 

How to Choose a Swim Cap

You’ll need to consider function when choosing your swim cap. Competitive swimmers have different needs than recreational swimmers (or water-treaders), for example. 

Recreational Use

Non-competitive or infrequent, leisurely swimmers can get by with a recreational swim cap. These are cute, functional swim caps in silicone or rubber, designed for anyone from puddle-jumpers to people who swim laps for light exercise or pure fun. 

Our favorite recreational swim caps include: 

●     Flower Swim Cap. This original, retro design has been featured in Vogue and other fashion magazines. 

●     Waffle Weave Swim Cap. It features a chin strap for added security.  

●     Turban Bathing and Swim Cap. The inside is lined with water-resistant vinyl, while the outside is a cool polyester. Best for poolside excursions or beach bums. 

We stock dozens of retro, rubber, and silicone caps — perfect for swimming lessons, water aerobics, or other recreational swimming activities. (Belly flop, anyone?) 

Showering or Bathing

Keeping your hair covered during a shower or bath calls for ease of use and convenience. Some of our bathing and shower caps are versatile enough to be worn in and around the pool or at the beach as well. However, we do not recommend them for heavy duty submersion. 

●     Shirred Shower Hat. This absolute classic is easy on, easy off for your bathing beauty routine. 

●     Shower and Swim Cap in One. A stylish turban silhouette, this bathing cap serves serious goddess vibes. 

Competitive Use

Competitive or serious lap swimmers usually look for a cap that reduces drag. Latex and molded silicone caps are best for those who want to achieve the ultimate minimalist, or sleek look in the water. Popular athletic brands like Speedo and TYR have manufactured caps specifically with the competitive user in mind. 

Swim Cap Materials:

Here’s what you need to know about the most common swim cap materials. 

• Lycra Swim Caps

  Lycra is a smooth fabric that stays on the head due to its stretchy quality. It’s good for keeping hair out of your face, protecting your hair from UV rays, and eliminating the swishing of chlorine through hair. It’s also perfect for anyone with a sensitive scalp, and for those who don't like the feeling of their hair being pulled while putting the cap on or taking it off. 

  However, lycra is a porous fabric, so water will permeate the material. Your hair will not stay dry as you swim. It is more permeable than other materials, so it will not provide the same degree of chlorine protection.

• Rubber Swim Caps: Rubber swim caps are thick, long-lasting, and highly durable, offering excellent protection against chlorine. This makes rubber one of our top swim cap materials for women with long hair. Another benefit of rubber is that it provides insulation, making it a great choice for swimming in cold conditions. Some popular caps made of rubber include our waffle weave swim caps and our ever-popular and fashionable petal swim caps. Many of our vintage swim caps are made of rubber.

• Silicone Swim Caps: 

  Silicone swim caps are easy to put on, because the material slides onto the head and has a slick, smooth texture. Like rubber, silicone is thick and offers protection from chlorine while being a very durable material, another good option for women with long hair. 

  While silicone caps are more expensive than latex swim caps, they will last longer. Silicone swim caps are the most popular choice for competition and olympic swimmers. 

• Latex Swim Caps

  Latex is a popular, economic choice for a swim cap material. Like lycra, latex will stretch so it will conform to your head shape. These caps provide a snug fit, which reduces water resistance during swimming. 

  That said, some people are allergic to latex so it may not work for everyone, and may not be best for team sports where everyone must wear the same cap. Latex is a thin material, so it is more likely to rip than a silicone swim cap. These caps have a tendency to wrinkle on top, making them slightly less aerodynamic than silicone caps. 

  Latex is our least favorite material for a long hair swim cap. It has a tendency to catch on the hair and will not glide on like other materials. If you have long hair, you are likely to find latex swim caps difficult to work with. 

How to Wear a Swim Cap with Long Hair

It takes time to grow long hair. We invest in any number of specially formulated shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments in order to protect our hair and keep it looking healthy. Yet, some of us jump into the pool without even a second thought. Chlorine can be extremely hard on your hair (even damaging it on a chemical level) so protecting it while swimming is a must. This is especially true for long hair.

One of the best things you can do to protect your long hair is to wear a swim cap. 

Special Long Hair Swim Caps

• Swim caps marketed as "Long Hair Swim Caps" are made a little bit larger on the top to accommodate long hair. Because there is extra space in the top of the cap, people with long hair can put their hair in a bun and then wear the swim cap over the bun. If your hair isn't long enough to put into a bun, this type of swim cap may not be the best option for you.
• Waffle Weave or "Bubble" Swim Caps are made of rubber and have a textured surface. We love the look of these and we even offer a few retro styles to keep you looking on point in the pool. They glide easily over long hair and provide an excellent level of protection. 

How to Put On a Swim Cap

When placing a swim cap on your head, it is important to place your hands on the interior of the cap with one hand in each side of the cap. Caps can rip or tear if not properly handled or forced onto the head improperly. Avoid contact with fingernails, jewelry, hair pins or other sharp objects.

How to Care for Your Swim Cap

Depending on the frequency of use and type of material, swim caps typically need to be replaced after several months of wear. However, proper care will allow you to extend the life of your swim cap. Here are some guidelines for care:

Pro Tip:  Sprinkling baby powder or talcum powder on the interior of the cap can prevent the inside material from sticking to itself. It will also absorb moisture and prevent bacteria or mold growth from occurring.

Will a Swim Cap Keep My Hair Dry?

Mostly. But to be honest, there is no swim cap that can keep your hair completely dry. Even a tiny air pocket between your swim cap and scalp can allow water to infiltrate. 

Enter: our Silicone Hair Guard! Wear this patent-pending product under your swim cap for maximum protection. It provides a barrier right at your hairline, to help enforce a watertight seal. 

If you aren’t planning on total submersion, a swim cap plus our hair guard headband should effectively keep your hair dry. If you do plan on going underwater (cue bubbles!) then this powerful duo is still your best option. 

Keep in mind that even if your hair gets a little wet under a swim cap, it’s still more protected than going without. Swim caps prevent hair from swishing through chlorinated water, which helps considerably. In addition, swim caps are also a great option for keeping long hair out of your face. 

Will a Swim Cap Pull My Hair?

Sometimes. But if you follow our instructions for putting on your swim cap, you should be able to avoid that uncomfortable sensation.

Silicone caps tend to be the best option for long-haired swimmers, because Silicone slides over the head smoothly. If you find that a rubber or retro swim cap pulls your hair, try wearing a silicone cap underneath for a layer of extra protection. 

Does Chlorine Damage Hair?

Yes. While we appreciate chlorine for reducing the growth of microorganisms like viruses and bacteria in the swimming pool, it can unfortunately dry out your skin and cause significant damage to hair. 

Scientific studies show that chlorine actually causes chemical changes to the hair.[1] Chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils, resulting in hair that is dull, brittle, porous, and vulnerable to damage. Stripped of these oils, the cuticle can crack, leaving the inner hair susceptible to those dreaded split ends. 

Chlorine can even strip the hair of its natural color or even turn it a greenish color. It’s a common misconception that green-tinted hair is due to the chlorine itself. Actually, it is the chemical's interaction with the natural metals in the water (such as copper) that causes this damage.

 [1] Source: https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/chlorine-effects-on-hair/

More Ways to Protect Your Hair While Swimming 

So you’ve got your swim cap and you’re ready to roll (or jump!) into the nearest body of water. Before you do, keep these tips in mind. 

• Wet Your Hair Before Swimming
  It may seem counterintuitive that wetting your hair before swimming will actually protect your hair. The best way to think about this is that, like a sponge, your hair will only absorb so much water. By allowing your hair to absorb fresh water, this will minimize the amount of chemically treated water your hair will absorb. Some swimmers also put a spray-in conditioner on their hair before swimming, to help provide a layer of protection.

• Be Gentle With Your Hair
  Being gentle with your hair means that your hair will start out in the best possible condition. This means avoiding colors, perms and heated styling tools as much as possible. When drying your hair, squeeze it in a towel instead of rubbing. When your hair is wet, use only a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to remove tangles. Regular use of a quality conditioner and a protein shampoo is a good idea, especially for dry hair. A protein-based shampoo is a good choice because it will help replace the moisture that chlorine leaches from the hair.

• Rinse & Wash Your Hair
  If you cannot wash your hair as soon as you step out of the pool, your hair should be rinsed with clean water as soon as possible. It's even a good idea to rinse your hair with clean water in between laps, as this will help flush the chemicals from your hair. As soon as possible after your swim, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and rinse with clean tap water to remove the chlorine.

How To Repair Chlorine-Damaged Hair

Chlorine-damaged hair will be dry, duller in color, frizzy, and often has the texture of straw. If your hair has already suffered from chlorine damage, there are a few things you can try:

• Clarify

  Use a clarifying shampoo to help remove chlorine build-up.  After shampooing, you can also wash your hair with a mixture of white vinegar and water. This acidic mixture will remove additional chlorine build up, aiding in restoring your hair's shine.

• Condition

  Deep conditioning treatments are a must for replenishing moisture to your hair. Many swear by coconut oil treatments in order to help repair damage.

• Cut

  Sometimes, the only way to remove severe damage is to cut a few inches off the ends of your hair. The ends of your hair often suffer the most damage. Getting a good trim can really make a difference in providing a healthier more lustrous look to your hair. 

• Prevention

  Healthy hair will eventually grow back in. Be sure to employ the measures described above to prevent damage to new hair growth.

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