Curly

There are so many different hair care products designed to give a beachy waves, or beachy curled effect, as if you’ve been swimming in the sea, for an effortless wavy, textured look.

If you have naturally curly hair, is salt water good for curly hair? What happens if you swim in the ocean (or a saltwater pool), with curly hair?

Could it cause your curls to get damaged? I’m going to explain the effects of salt water for curly hair, so keep on reading…

Why Does Salt Water Make Hair Curly?

Whenever you go into the ocean, or you swim in a saltwater pool, you’ll notice how your hair becomes wavy or curly, as it begins to dry.

How curly your hair becomes, depends on your natural hair type, and if you naturally have a curl/wave pattern. 

Saltwater can enhance your natural curl within your hair, as the salt within the water draws moisture out of the hair shaft.

This then makes the hair strands slightly rougher and more prone to clumping together, to give you that “beachy” hair look. 

Minerals within the saltwater creates a light coating on the hair, which gives the beachy texture and definition, to create a beachy and tousled effect. 

Pros and Cons Of Salt Water For Your Hair

You do have some benefits from saltwater, like giving you a beachy, textured effect and volume, making waves and curls look more defined. 

You’ll notice that the minerals within seawater can give you a mild cleansing effect, and potentially stimulate your scalp.

However, there are a number of downsides of saltwater for your hair. The salt is very drying for all hair types, and can strip the hair of its natural oils, which can lead to frizz, brittleness and potential damage – especially if you have dry hair or color treated hair in the first place. 

The mineral buildup can make your hair feel stiff, or dull overtime, so I’d recommend using a clarifying shampoo after going in saltwater, to cleanse your hair of impurities, and any salt build-up, to keep your hair as clean as possible. 

Is Salt Water Good For Curly Hair?

Salt water can enhance your curls, as the salt draws out moisture, which gives your hair both definition and texture, while the minerals can add a little hold.

When it comes to the downsides, saltwater has a drying effect on your curls, and curlier hair tends to be naturally drier than straight hair, and this can lead to an increase in frizz, tangles, and a loss of moisture, which can then lead to your curls becoming brittle, and more prone to breakage. 

If you are going in saltwater, ensure you use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse your hair of the salt, but also make sure you use intensively hydrating haircare products to recoup any lost moisture, to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

How To Protect Your Curls When Swimming In Salt Water

If you’re going to be swimming in salt water, you can start by pre-wetting your hair with fresh water first, as this will help reduce moisture loss and keep your curls hydrated, and healthy. 

Apply a leave-in conditioner or a lightweight hair oil (like Moroccan Oil), as it’ll act as a protective barrier, against potential saltwater damage. 

After swimming, rinse your hair immediately, to remove any salt residue, as this will help to restore moisture levels, preventing extra dehydration (and damage).

You could also follow up with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and hydrating curly hair friendly conditioner to replace any lost moisture.