How Seawater Affects Your Hair

Considering seawater is about 96% water (with the rest being composed of around 2.6% salts, and a few organic materials and pollutants), it’s easy to assume that it’s great for your hair. While there are some perceived benefits, overexposure can do damage to your scalp and strands. But we would never recommend missing out on a surf session or a swim in the sea just for your hair’s sake, instead we want to arm you with all the information required to protect your scalp and strands while still making the most of your time at the beach.

Can saltwater benefit hair?

Many people believe that the salts and minerals in seawater do wonders by exfoliating the scalp and giving hair texture and volume. But these salt crystals also dry out your scalp and strands, while also roughing up the hair’s cuticles. There are much better ways to cleanse the scalp of buildup and create beachy waves.

Can saltwater damage hair?

Saltwater can do damage, but only if you don’t take steps to protect, cleanse and hydrate your hair before and after. Some of the issues linked with overexposure to seawater are:

• Dehydration
  The salt in seawater can strip natural oils from your scalp and hair, leading to dryness, and dehydration. This can lead to an irritated scalp and dull and brittle hair strands that are more prone to breakage and split ends.
  
• Colour fading
  Salt crystals create friction on the hair cuticle, allowing more water and product to enter the hair but also escape. This makes it harder for hair to retain pigments, so people with dyed strands may find that their colour fades faster.
  
• Buildup
  If not thoroughly cleansed away, salt residue can accumulate on the scalp together with buildup from dead skin cells, sebum, and product residue. Not only can this lead to irritation, but it can also block hair follicles and hinder healthy hair growth.

How can you protect your scalp and hair from seawater damage?

Just like when you go swimming in chlorinated water, it’s important to treat your hair before and after swimming, surfing and other water sports to prevent damage being done.

Before saltwater exposure:

1. Soak your hair
   Because your hair can only absorb a certain amount of water, saturating it in fresh water from a tap or shower limits the amount of saltwater it will soak up in the sea. Be sure to drench your hair in the beach shower, if there is one.
   
   
2. Moisturise your strands with a hair mask
   Once you’ve saturated your hair with water, hydrate your strands with our Hair Hydration Crème, Hair Mask or Weightless Conditioner, allowing the formula to work for at least five minutes before getting in the water. A leave-in moisturising product counteracts the drying effects of the salt in seawater.

After saltwater exposure:

1. Cleanse scalp and hair
   Thoroughly cleansing after being immersed in seawater is essential, as the residue left over can cause buildup and dehydrate the scalp and hair. As soon as possible after getting out of the water, thoroughly rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Once you’re home, cleanse your scalp and hair with our Balancing Shampoo or Stabilizing Scalp Shampoo. For a boost of nourishment and hydration, we recommend our Fortifying Shampoo as an add-on cleanser.
   
   
2. Hydrate your strands
   We recommend using conditioner every time you wash your hair – especially after swimming in the ocean. Combat dehydration with our Daily Conditioner or Weightless Conditioner while in the shower, and then apply the Hair Hydrating Crème or Weightless Conditioner to damp hair as reparative leave-in hydrator. These products will help lock in moisture, which will boost elasticity, softness and strength.

FAQs

Can seawater cause hair loss?

While seawater itself doesn’t cause hair loss, inadequate cleansing and hydrating can lead to a buildup of salt and pollutants on the scalp. This buildup (also made up of dead skin cells, natural oils, product and dirt) can clog hair follicles and irritate the scalp, leading to excessive shedding, hair thinning and loss.

How does seawater affect different hair types?

Depending on your hair type, saltwater may affect your strands differently. But all hair types benefit from protection before and after swimming in the sea.

• Straight Hair
  Straight hair tends to be more resilient to the effects of seawater, but it can still become dehydrated after prolonged exposure.
  
  
• Wavy Hair
  People with wavy hair may find that their curls are more defined initially, but as seawater evaporates, the salt will dry out hair and make it more brittle and fragile as wavy hair is typically drier than straight hair.
  
  
• Curly, Coily and Kinky Hair
  Curly, coily and kinky hair tends to be more porous, meaning it can hold more water. When that water is seawater, it can dry hair out and leave it dehydrated, dull and prone to breakage.

How can you get beachy waves without seawater?

Rather than using a so-called “sea spray” product – which typically dry out hair – we recommend using our styling products, which are formulated to care for your strands while simultaneously providing hold, texture and volume.

1. When your hair is clean and damp, apply our leave-in Hair Hydrating Crème and then a small amount of Styling Gel or Styling Wax to your lengths.
2. Gently scrunch your strands from the tips to the roots to create waves or curls.
3. Allow your hair to air-dry.
4. Apply a few spritzes of Styling Spray for hold, and enjoy your hair’s beachy texture, volume and bounce.