It is always nice to have wild beach hair for the summer, but is saltwater good for your hair? Saltwater can have both positive and negative effects on hair. Everyone’s hair is different and will react differently to certain types of water.

While saltwater can add minerals to the hair and scalp, it can also cause dryness and brittleness. Saltwater and hair don’t usually result in a positive interaction. Saltwater can strip hair color and weaken hair structure, so it is important to be careful with saltwater to maintain healthy hair. If you plan on spending a lot of time in saltwater, using a deep conditioner or leave-in conditioner can protect hair and reverse significant damage.

Sea salt is a common element found in our daily lives, whether we are taking a dip in the ocean or using it to season our food. However, the effects of saltwater on our skin and hair are often overlooked.

Saltwater can cause color-treated hair to fade more quickly. Saltwater strips away the artificial hair color molecules from the hair shaft. Similar to skin, saltwater can be very drying for the hair because it strips away natural oils that help to keep the hair hydrated. This usually leads to brittle and tangled hair. Saltwater can weaken the hair, making it more prone to breaking, thus causing split ends. Saltwater can be irritating to the scalp, especially if it’s already dry and sensitive.

Saltwater can have both benefits and drawbacks for hair and scalp. While it can remove excess oil and exfoliate the scalp, overexposure to salt can dry out and damage hair causing things like dandruff, split ends, and breakage. Some think that salt is a good natural hair care product, but this is only true when used in small doses. Here are some tips we have put together to prevent saltwater hair damage.

Rinse hair with fresh water before and after swimming to reduce saltwater damage. Apply a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil before and after swimming to maintain your hair’s moisture. Infuse hair with protein, which can help protect hair from damage.  Use natural moisturizing hair masks to keep hair healthy. Trim hair regularly to prevent unhealthy split ends.