Protecting Color-treated Hair While Swimming Oh, yay, it’s summertime! Protecting color-treated hair while swimming: we all have our checklists ready. Swanky bikini? Checked! Cool sunglasses? Checked! Instagram-worthy pool float? Neck, meet the checked box! Swimming in a chlorinated pool while you’re rocking color-treated hair? That’s a ticket straight to Dullsville, folks. A luxurious dive into the pool with that stunning chocolate brown color or radiant red hair might blind the poolside spectators with its sheer gorgeousness. However, it’ll be crying out for an SOS from Chlorine City and UV-Ville. Who wants to be a damsel in distress in the sweltering heat? If you’re vacationing in Denial Timeshare, here’s the ugly truth: Bridges, buildings, and locks aren’t the only things rusty water wreaks havoc on. Say “Hi” to two major summer bummers – chlorinated pool water and color-treated hair, a combo that’s to hair what Godzilla is to unsuspecting skyscrapers. And, oh, did we mention the UV rays? They’re the silent assassins, hiding behind the oh-so-welcome summer sun, seeking out colored hair to fade and desiccate. So, arm yourselves with knowledge, and let’s splash into the color-preserving pool party with style. Trust us; your hair will thank you later! Chlorine and its effects on colored hair Ah, the scent of chlorine in the morning – it’s the perfume of summer pools, but for your fabulous color-treated hair, it’s more like the Grim Reaper waiting to strike. When your hair gets ravished by chlorine, it can turn more colors than a mood ring, leaving your vibrant locks drier than a martini at an AA meeting. Chlorine is a chemical piranha, always hungry for some juicy hair dye to snack on, which often results in your color fading faster than a tourist’s tan. So, how do you keep your hair color from becoming as washed-out as a dad joke? First, before taking the plunge, douse your mane with fresh water—it’s a thirsty beast that’ll soak up less pool water if it’s already wet. Next, consider slathering on a protective oil like a Thanksgiving turkey. Picture it: a glaze of coconut or argan oil can give chlorine the slip, not allowing it to cling onto your hair with its grubby little paws. And a friendly reminder—oiling up is not exclusive to beach babes trying to perfect their tan; your hair needs some shiny armor, too. If you’re one of those poolside readers thinking, “Chlorine damage? Not in my backyard,” please remember that just because you’re lounging like a Hollywood starlet doesn’t mean your hair’s not staging a color strike under that water. So, smarten up, protect those locks, and keep your hair as sassy as your poolside selfie game. UV Rays: The silent hair color assassin Slathering your beach body in sunscreen isn’t the only sign of being a seasoned sun worshipper; your crowning glory also requires its fair share of sun protection. Picture this: you’ve just splurged a small fortune on a new hair color and decided to unleash this beach goddess look at your local swimming pool. You emerge from the pool, feeling like a mermaid, only to be knocked back to reality: the beautiful hair color you paid for is now fading faster than your holiday tan. No, the sun isn’t throwing any shade; it’s pumping out rays that can be real party poopers for your hair color. Good old UV rays are sneakier than a cat on a hot tin roof, silently sizzling your hair and causing the color to fade. Think of them as uninvited guests at your pool party who have a terrible habit of overstaying their welcome and ruining your décor. But fear not, fellow sunbather. You don’t have to swear off sunlight to maintain your hair color. Bring on the UV-blocking haircare resolute. You heard it right. Sunscreen isn’t just for your skin; even your hair needs a shot. Products with UVA and UVB filters are your knights in shining SPF armor, warding off those pesky sun rays and keeping your color intact. Try the Sun Bum 3 in 1 Leave-In Treatment. It fends off harsh rays and chemical damage while playing the peacekeeper between your split ends and frizzy hair. And let’s add a cherry on top: It smells like a beach in a bottle! Now, who wouldn’t want to open that Christmas present in the middle of July? So, the next time you head to the beach or pool, remember to put on your favorite swimsuit, grab an umbrella drink, and don’t forget to pack your warrior – the UV hair protection. After all, every warrior princess needs her armor. Pre-swim prep Ah, summer! It’s time to swap hot coffee for an iced latte and jeans for floral skirts, all while blasting the AC because you didn’t sign up for this kind of heat! But hold on, have you spared a thought for your gorgeous color-treated hair before you plunge into the pool? It’s time for some pre-swim prep, my friends! Swim caps might make you look like an alien from a B-grade Sci-Fi movie, but your hair secretly craves natural protectors, something like… Coconut oil! Yes, you heard it right! Before you dive into aquatic adventures, lather up your hair with this tropical goodness or its Mediterranean cousin, olive oil. It locks moisture in and gives chlorine a slip-and-slide to slide away from your strands. If you’re tired of our humble kitchen solutions, numerous luxurious tropical oil-infused products await a place in your toiletry bag. Let’s admit there’s no such thing as ‘just one dip. Here’s a pro tip: before you perform your best imitation of a mermaid, do a pre-soak routine in clean water. It’s like reverse psychology of your hair, tricking it into absorbing less chlorine or salt water. If you’re a “travel light: forget half the things” person like me, just grab a bottle of Evian or any readily available purified water for this hack. Time to move on to sunscreen, my dear sunseekers! While you lavishly slather SPF...