💧💧💧 Natural black hair and want to swim? Worried about those precious tresses?

Swimming is by far one of the most effective ways to keep fit. And if you're like me and enjoy taking regular dips at the local pool, you'll have well-grounded concerns.  Those harmful chemicals are so necessary to maintain hygiene standards so we can all swim safely, but I've always found myself being forced to decide between the two - hair or swimming? 

No-one seemed to have an answer! Every hairdresser told me I'd have to choose, and my on-line research didn't have anything to offer. Furthermore I'd try various strategies, such as drenching my hair in conditioner and sealing it with oil, believing this formed the perfect barrier.  Needless to say, this did not work. Can you believe that every attempt I made at swimming was a gamble with my hair? And yes, you guessed, I lost most of my hair - repeatedly.

But I was determined.  I loved swimming, I loved my hair and I was determined to have both. So after much research and many years of trying, here's what I found:

ACV

Apple Cider Vinegar was an absolute breakthrough. Its benefits include;

- giving your hair and scalp a thorough but gentle clean, as it's an anti-fungal.

- regulating the pH level of your scalp, bringing it closer to what it should be. This  is particularly useful if you've used products which interfere with your hair's natural pH level, such as certain shampoos, leaving it damaged.

- It's packed with loads of beneficial nutrients for your hair, stimulating growth.

- It's cheeeeeap!

This solution worked brilliantly for me, and it's also just great for damaged or stressed hair.

Here's how I use it after a swim...it's just as great for damaged hair, hair loss, breakage, etc.

You'll need:

Approximately 3 tablespoons of ACV

800 mls of water (Some people use a much higher concentration than this, but I find this is perfect for my hair).

Pour these into a large spray bottle.

Mix well. 

This is what I call my `shampoo' - really simple!.

1. As soon as possible after my swim, I rinse my hair thoroughly with plain water. (You can also use it directly on dry hair).

2. Then I part into sections, usually 2, and apply the ACV to the scalp first. You can do this by parting the hair through the middle, from front to back and clipping the two sections in place. Then, working on one side of your hair, part from the middle down towards the side of the face and spray the parting with ACV.

3.Repeat this around four times, at intervals, on each side.

4. Then working on one side at a time, gently rub the ACV around the scalp, using the pads of your fingers, not your nails! Try to ensure you reach all of your scalp. This rubbing motion is also excellent for increasing the blood supply to your scalp, encouraging growth. Do this on both sides.

5. Now you can concentrate on the rest of your hair. Either keep it in two sections, or divide into however many sections you wish. The point is, to drench the hair with the ACV solution thoroughly, paying attention to all parts of the hair and working it in, all the way to the ends. (Always be very gentle).

6. I put my hair in Bantu knots, or twist and clip in place, or any way that prevents tangling, and leave the solution on for around 30 minutes, or even overnight.

7.Rinse off, and for extra measure, apply the ACV solution to hair again for a second wash. This time, you don't need to leave it on, but rinse off straight away. 

8.Gently T-shirt-dry your hair by squeezing, not rubbing, your hair. Keep in sections whilst you dry to prevent tangling.

That's it, you're done!

Even if you don't swim, and you're trying to restore your damaged hair to great health...

This mild ACV solution is extremely gentle and safe on your hair. Therefore, you can follow the above steps 1 - 5 and simply leave on until your next wash. 

These are the steps I generally follow for the first part of my hair wash. There are a few treatments  and moisturisers I also use,- strictly From My Kitchen -  which I will share with you in future blogs. Hope this helps you if you're looking for a solution to the swimming problem, or even if you're trying to treat damaged hair and have run out of ideas. Let me know if you've tried this, or whether you have any comments to add! 

Don't forget to leave comments on fmkblackhaircare.blogspot.com!

Thanks!