Sunshine, salty breezes, and poolside lounging—what’s not to love? Oh right, the hair damage. Whether you’re soaking up rays at the beach or swimming laps in the pool, your hair is catching more heat than it deserves. Luckily, with the right tips and products, you can protect your strands and keep your color looking fresh all summer long.
🏊♀️ At the Pool: Hair vs. Chlorine
We love a good cannonball, but your hair? Not so much.
Here’s what you’re up against:
Chlorine is basically bleach—and that means color fade city.
It bonds with keratin, your hair’s structural protein, weakening your strands over time.
Blondes, beware: Light hair can take on a greenish tint thanks to copper algaecides in pool water.
Hard water minerals in pools add another layer of dryness and dullness.
💧How to Fight Back:
Saturate your hair with clean water before getting in the pool—your hair acts like a sponge, so fill it with the good stuff first.
Apply a leave-in conditioner like Unite’s 7 Seconds or a deep conditioner beforehand to create a protective barrier.
Rinse immediately after swimming to flush out chlorine and minerals.
Shampoo with a swimmer-safe clarifier like Unite’s Weekender Shampoo to fully detox the hair.
Minimize sun exposure during and after your swim to avoid double damage.
Swim caps aren’t just for Olympians—grab a cute one and thank yourself later.
🏖️ At the Beach: Salty but Still Soft
Saltwater may feel magical, but it’s secretly drying your hair out and leaving it vulnerable to breakage.
You can use many of the same tricks from the pool here:
Soak your hair with water before hitting the ocean.
Apply a UV-protectant leave-in like 7 Seconds to shield against the sun and salt.
Rinse thoroughly after swimming to prevent salt build-up and dryness.
And yes, a hat is your best friend—not only does it preserve your color, but it protects your scalp (yes, your scalp can sunburn too).
Summer Must-Haves: Your Hair’s Ride-or-Die Products
🌊 7 Seconds Leave-In Conditioner
Spray this on before diving into any water—chlorine or ocean—and your strands get a hydrating, detangling force field. It fights UV rays, prevents frizz, and stops the dreaded “crunch” before it starts. Beach bag essential.
💧 7 Seconds Moisture Conditioner
This ultra-nourishing conditioner hydrates, repairs, and shields all hair types from sun and thermal damage. Use it after beach days or blowouts to keep your hair soft, strong, and salon-fresh.
🧼 Weekender Shampoo
Chlorine and product buildup don’t stand a chance. This clarifying shampoo gently deep cleans while restoring your hair’s natural softness and pH balance. Perfect for weekly resets—just a heads-up, go light on this one if you’ve got temporary or demi-permanent color, as it can strip more than you bargained for.
☀️ Final Thoughts
Summer should be carefree—not full of regret over faded color or brittle ends. With a few simple habits and the right product lineup, your hair can thrive all season long, no matter how many pool days or beach hangs you have planned.
Got questions or want personalized product recommendations? Swing by Katie Blue Salon—we’ve got your hair covered (literally and figuratively).
-Stef
