Tighten Up on That Backstroke

Throwback; The Fatback Band

Nothing, and I do mean nothing means summer time like splashing in the pool. When I was younger, summertime meant fun times. I would hang out with my family, eat good food, listen to good music and do the latest dance. If you are old enough to remember the R&B funk group, "The Fatback Band," then you might just remember one of their hit songs that had a dance that was so appropriate for summertime fun at the pool; "Backstrokin."  "Lookin for that good stuff; why don't ya tighten up on that backstroke." My cousins and I would sing the song and do the dance as we played by the pool and swam.

Going to the pool, beach, ocean or lake is refreshing. It is a great way to stay in shape, keep cool and have fun. However, the havoc the minerals in the water wreaks on your hair is anything but fun. As a hairstylist, many of my customers travel to different parts of the world where getting in the water and swimming is almost always a part of the fun. Many of them avoid fun in the water because they do not like what it does to their hair. They do not like the dryness, the change in their hair color and they do not like it because most times they do not want to do their hair over.

I am one of those people who love adventure. When it comes to having the opportunity to commune and have fun in nature, one must go for it. I don't feel that people should avoid water because of their hair. So this blog Ndogo will highlight the best ways to jump in the water, "tighten up on that backstroke" and have fun.

The best advice I give everyone about having fun in the water is number one, lower your expectations. Nothing will kill the fun in the sun than constantly talking about how you would, but you do not want to get your hair wet. Most people look just as good wet as they do dry. Instead of paying for fancy hairstyles before you go on your vacation or excursion that has water on the agenda, keep the hairstyle simple. The options of ponytails, hats, braids or braid/twist styles that required added artificial hair are great options so you can splash and dash. Lower your expectations on your hair and bring attention to how nice you look in your swimsuit, your hat, sunglasses, smile and so on. Do not bring attention to your hair if it something that you seriously do not want to be bothered with. Everyone looks great with a ponytail while having fun in the sun. If you dislike your hair as it dries or if you have no time to bother with it, wear a hat. You can also opt to wear a head-band or throw on a wig. You can do a lot, but by all means, have fun.

Always wet your hair first.

The second advice to protect your hair when getting in the water is to avoid damage from chlorine and other minerals in the water. Therefore, the best thing to do is to wet your hair first with tap water. That is correct. The best way to keep your hair from drying out, reduce color fading, reduce tangled tresses and to reduce brittleness, is to wet your hair first with tap water. Hair can only absorb one chemical at a time. Chlorine is in tap water. "Ewe," yeah I know. Most municipalities use chlorine in their water systems for health and safety reasons. "Chlorine is a highly efficient disinfectant, and it is added to public water supplies to kill disease-causing bacteria that can get in the water and can transport it in the pipes. Chlorine has been hailed as the savior against cholera and various other water-borne diseases, and rightfully so,” says Steve Harrison, president of water filter maker Environmental Systems Distributing. “It's disinfectant qualities…have allowed communities and whole cities to grow and prosper by providing disease-free tap water to homes and industry.” So, always wet your hair first. 

Old reliable; Baking Soda

The third advice is to remove the chlorine from your hair before it becomes too difficult to manage and expensive to treat. The best way to remove chlorine from your hair is "thee" old baking soda rinse. I'm sure most of you remember your mom reaching for the orange box of Arm&Hammer baking soda when you were a kid as she dunked your head under the faucet at the kitchen sink. I never knew why she did it, but she would use it every time after we went swimming. So, now here is the recipe. Only use 1/2 cup of baking soda and mix it with one cup of warm water to help the baking soda crystals dissolve. Shampoo your hair thoroughly with your favorite shampoo. Then pour the rinse over your entire head of hair. Follow up with your favorite conditioner. This old fashioned tried, true, and trusted method works because of the acidic properties in the baking soda that will soften your hair to release the chlorine from your hair; thus keeping your curls, waves and kinks in tact. In addition, using the baking soda rinse will also prevent your hair from drying out and feeling brittle. Understand that when it comes to the health of the hair, pH is the name of the game. Forget about all those fancy brands with their fancy ingredients. If the product does not adjust and balance the pH in its performance on your hair and scalp .... it's garbage. So using the baking soda rinse on hair is a must. It naturally and easily removes toxins from the hair. It is affordable. It works on all hair textures, types, lengths, and density regardless the race. Bam!

Shop wisely and keep your receipt.

Lastly, use hair care products that have sunscreens formulated in the product. Products such as "Clarins", "Phyto Plage' Protective Beach Hair Spray" and "Aveda's Sun Care Protective Spray" for hair works wonders. These are just a few of my favorites. Sometimes sunscreen for hair can be pretty costly, so be sure to shop around. Keep your receipt. Just in case you do not like the sunscreen you purchased for your hair, you can return it or exchange it. Sunscreens for hair is a great way to prevent your hair color from fading, your scalp from burning and your hair from drying out. Sunscreens are great for summertime hair care. Sunscreens can be oily. Be sure to read the directions first and follow the manufactures instructions. I have not come across one customer or reader who was not impressed with adding sunscreen to their summer hair care regimen.

As you can see, fun in the sun by the water is all about protecting your hair before, during and after you get the water. Use these tips to prevent damaged, dry, color faded and brittle hair. So as you go on through the summer lookin' for that good stuff, remember to "tighten up on that backstroke" and you too will have fun in the water all summer long and will not have a care in the world about your hair!