With some hairstyles that get dry and frizzy after prolonged exposure to moisture, can you swim with box braids? What are the consequences of swimming with box braids? How to take better care of your box braids when swimming? This article will give you the answers and some care tips so you can have the best summer experience by the pool or beach without worrying about your hair!
Can you swim with box braids?
If you're looking for a new hairstyle for summer, box braids should be on your list. It has been called the ultimate hairstyle and is perfect for travel, vacations, pool parties, and beach outings.
If done correctly, you can swim with box braids. The answer is yes! You just need to make sure they're fitted and cared for properly so they don't get dehydrated and frizzy after swimming.
Plus, they protect your natural hair because your natural hair is wrapped inside. Proper fit ensures that your natural hair is protected as box braids won't slip out. If you hate using swim caps, this might be the perfect hairstyle you're looking for!
How to properly install box braid hairstyles?
Install a box braid before swimming, avoid it being too tight or you might pull your hair out. This not only damages the scalp, but also damages the scalp.
Pull the hair taut while braiding. After swimming, if box braids are not installed with enough tension, they will become frizzy.
Seal the box braids with hot water. Before you start installing with box braid, have boiling water ready. Then, seal it. Hot water is the best way to permanently seal a box braid. This keeps them from falling apart when they come in contact with water; it also helps prevent frizz after swimming.
Care tips when swimming with box braids
While you can swim in box braids, some damage can still be done:
Chlorinated Pool Water -- This is the first consideration when swimming with box braids. Even if you style your hair in a protective manner, the chemicals in pool water can still damage your hair. Chlorine will strip your hair of its natural oils. As a result, moisture is drawn away, resulting in dry, damaged hair. When you swim regularly in chlorinated pool water, your hair will eventually become brittle and break.
Mildew and Mildew -- These two conditions occur when box braids are constantly damp. Taking preventive measures against both conditions is crucial because they are very difficult to eliminate. Make sure to dry your hair properly after swimming. This is to avoid bad smells and mold growth in the hair.
1. Wet your hair
Shower and wet your hair before swimming. Wetting your hair is the best way to protect box braids from damage. Chlorine or salt water in a pool can't fully penetrate your hair when it's wet.
2. After wetting hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil
Apply the available substance in between and let it sit for 10 minutes before swimming. Leave-in conditioner protects your hair by replenishing moisture and moisture. Coconut oil can be your best friend. Like a leave-in conditioner, it provides protection by helping the scalp produce sebum to moisturize the hair. It also protects the keratin in the hair, making it moist and smooth. Using a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil before swimming can help protect your hair so that the chlorine in the pool can't easily penetrate and damage it.
3. Rinse hair with water
After swimming in the pool or sea, you always want to make sure to wash your hair thoroughly with clean water. This is to wash off chlorine or salt water, which can dry out and frizz your hair. You can also moisturize your scalp by adding oils. Examples include olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E oil.
4. After rinsing hair with water, dry the box braids thoroughly
This is to prevent mold and mildew from occurring. This also avoids the growth of fungus that makes your hair smell bad. You can gently squeeze out excess moisture, air dry your hair, and then let your box braids rest freely until your hair dries. You can also use a dryer with a hood, which is the best way to dry box braids. A hairdryer with a hood dries hair faster than air drying.