Swim cap question

[pjlippert]

So, I am having trouble finding a proper fitting swim cap. I have VERY thick hair (and below shoulder length).So far the swim-caps I've tried don't keep the water out completely- it leaks and doesn't stay put. Needless to say, it's damaging my hair since I swim for 45-60 minutes at a time- for exercise and physical therapy.

Who has a recommendation where to buy a cap for my big hair

Thank you!
Pam

 

[maddiesmum]

Can;t help with that but just wanted to say, all swim caps leak to some extent. None keep hair totally dry. But they are still better than just having your hair bathe in chlorine for an hour daily!

The key to preventing hair damage, swim cap or no swim cap, is to wash hair immediately afterwards with after-swim shampoo. That, plus a good conditioning, saved my long hair when I was swimming every day for a mile and yes, wearing a swim cap and washing it after every swim. No damage sustained at all and I did this when I was younger for several years.

Clare

 

[DixieGirl]

Hi Pam,

Two of my kids are competitive swimmers so I can help a little w/ the swim caps. I agree w/ Clare, the caps won't keep your hair totally dry but will help. And shampooing as soon as possible after you swim will help too. There was just another thread about getting chlorine out of hair and we discussed Ultraswim shampoo. That or any shampoo specifically for getting chlorine out of your hair will be a big help. As far as the swim caps...be sure to get one made from silicone & not latex. Latex is much thinner than silicone and will pull your hair when it's taken off. Check out SwimOutlet.com - The Web's Most Popular Swim Shop! men's and women's swimwear, swim gear, swim store to browse the swim caps. They are discounted compared to run/swim shops that carry swim gear. I like Speedo & TYR caps but really, any brand as long as it's silicone should be good. HTH

Tracy

 

[pjlippert]

Thanks, Ladies! I saw the other thread and will get a good swimmers shampoo. I have no idea what my swim-cap is made of- I got it from Walmart so it's probably the cheaper material.

Happy Monday!

Pam

 

[DixieGirl]

Yes, I would think from WalMart, it's probably latex. The silicone are just a little bit more expensive but sooo worth it. My boys have worn latex in the past and they literally tore some of their hair out taking them off. I meant to mention before, I think Speedo has a cap specially for long hair. There are also lycra caps but we've never tried those before

 

[maddiesmum]

Pam, don't forget to rinse your swim cap in cool, fresh water after every use and dry out thoroughly. Then dust with talcum powder ready for next use. The powder helps to get it on again, especially with all that hair you have, and it prevents hair being ripped out of the scalp.

Clare

 

[pjlippert]

That's great advice, Clare! I would never have thought about the talcum powser or rinsing it out! You are a hair saver!

Pam

 

[mspina]

To protect your hair from absorbing the chlorine in the first place, BEFORE you get into the pool, wet it thoroughly and if you can, apply some conditioner through it. Then put on the swim cap. You have to find what amount of conditioner works for you - too much, and your cap slips right off. Just wetting your hair thoroughly first is the MAJOR helper though, so you could easily skip the conditioner bit.

Being wet might also make it easier to put the cap on.

 

[Janis]

Pam,

You received a lot of great advice. Tracy, "Dixie Girl" gave you a link to a great website. I've bought and used the exact swim cap she mentioned, and I recommend it highly: Speedo Long Hair Silicone Cap at SwimOutlet.com

And do what Clare suggested, it also makes the cap ready to use for your next swim.

One other tip I will mention is, since I have long thick hair I use two swim caps. Put one on and then the other. It really doesn't matter what the bottom one is made of as long as the top one is the silicone cap. I liked using this one as the bottom layer - TYR Lycra at SwimOutlet.com

HTH

 

[pjlippert]

Thank you Janis & crew! The idea of two swimcaps might just be yet another solution- in addition to wetting & conditioning before hand. My shopping cart has the long-hair swim cap and some other fun pool workout goodies in it!

Pam