Is Saltwater Bad for Your Hair? Pro Hairstylists Weigh In

We all know the feeling: After a long beach day, you head home and look in the mirror to discover that your hair has the perfect wave. The one that you can never seem to get just right at home, no matter how many products or hot tools you use. And you think to yourself: Why can’t my hair look like this every day?

Well as it turns out, those effortless waves could come at a cost. Over-exposure to saltwater can do plenty of harm to your hair in the long run. To break down just how saltwater can jeopardize your hair health—and how to mitigate the potential damage—we enlisted the help of professional hairstylists Aaron Grenia and Ashley Streicher. Read on for what they shared.

What Is Saltwater?

Saltwater can be found in any ocean, sea, or estuary beach. While it can be found in some pools (depending on the owner’s maintenance preference), the salt levels in the ocean are much higher. Due to this significant difference, we’re focusing on the impact of consistent ocean saltwater exposure on the hair.

How Does Saltwater Impact Hair Health?

“Saltwater can really dry out your hair. It draws out moisture, which can lead to brittleness and breakage,” explains Grenia. You may notice that after a nice long swim at the beach, the ends of your hair feel a little crunchy and dry. This is because “if you don’t protect your hair before swimming in saltwater, your hair will soak up the salt,” says Streicher.

While effortless post-beach day waves feel good in the moment, it’s important to be mindful of how regular exposure to saltwater can impact your hair health in the long term. “Saltwater strips away those essential natural oils that keep your hair healthy and shiny,” says Grenia. “Over time, your hair can become weaker and more prone to damage because it’s constantly losing moisture and nutrients.” Additionally, “If you have color-treated hair, the salt can make your color fade faster.”

How to Protect Your Hair from Saltwater

While consistent exposure to saltwater can jeopardize your hair health, you can take steps to help counteract these risks and put your hair in the best position to be exposed to it.

• Rinse your hair before and after: Rinsing your hair with fresh water before and after swimming in saltwater is one of the simpler ways to minimize damage. Rinsing before “helps reduce how much saltwater your hair soaks up,” explains Grenia. “Once you’re done swimming, rinse again to [remove] any salt residue.”
• Use a pre-beach product: Consider using a leave-in conditioner or hair mask before hitting the beach for extra protection. “It’s important to use a product, especially on your ends, that is hydrating and will fill your hair shaft with moisture before exposing it to the saltwater—just make sure the product is ocean safe,” says Streicher. 
• Wear a protective hairstyle…: Grenia recommends “wearing your hair in braids or buns to minimize exposure and keep [it] from tangling.”
• … Or a swim cap: If you consistently swim in saltwater—maybe you’re training for a triathlon or just love a sunrise dip—Streicher recommends using a swim cap.
• Don’t skip post-beach care: Grenia recommends using a deep conditioning treatment after your beach day to restore your hair health. He explains that deep conditioning treatments and hair masks should be “a regular part of your routine to replenish lost moisture and nutrients.”

The Final Takeaway

While beach days are and will always be an important part of our summers, we must protect ourselves before, during, and after them. Along with plenty of sunscreen (of course), that includes protecting our hair from too much saltwater, which can leave it feeling extra dry. The good news is there are tangible steps that can be taken to counteract that moisture loss, keeping hair shiny and healthy all season long.