Child swimming weekly at school- Hair solutions (Afro Caribbean hair)

[DM29]

Hi,
My daughter is 4 years old in reception and swims every week at school. Every week when she gets home after swimming I do the full wash routine. However, it’s start to wreak havoc on hair and she is losing length in the back particularly and the texture has changed.

Does any that’s any solutions for hair care for weekly swimming?

Have you seen the Jim + Henry hair products?

If you slather on one of the conditioners before school and she wears a cap, it could be better?

Cantu also isn't black owned which puts me off.

Regular swimmer but not afro carribean hair .

Phillip Kingsley swim cap pre- swim.

Clarifying shampoo post swim.
Decent conditioner
Redken extreme anti-snap treatment when combing.

Judicious use of Philip Kingsley elasticised to boost things if looking a bit tired/ dry.

@DM29

Thanks so much for all the advice!

I will definitely try applying a leave in conditioner in the hair before she goes to school. Any recommendations? I used to use the cantu products but my own hairdresser thought they weren’t great and recommended Creme of nature. However, I found that not too have enough moisture for weekly washes.

As she swims after lunch on Mondays I am not able to wet her hair before she goes swimming and rinse it our after! So, I’m just left with washing it when she gets home around 4/5pm.

You might want to go to Black Mn for ideas. For my hair virgin olive oil works well.

If you put anything in her hair it causes major problems for the pool. It creates chlorinated that irritates the skin, eyes etc ......

I swim a lot and my kids are mixed race so have some experience:

Tips from me:

• shower and drench hair before swimming as it prevents too much absorption of chlorine
• use a big silicon hat
• use a swim shampoo afterwards (child's farm do a good one)
• use a good conditioner (loads suggested here)

Hope this helps...

Chlorinates that should read

Oh bless her! I have long straight fair hair and go swimming 3 times ja week.If I don't wear a swimming cap my hair is so dry and snaps off.. A swimming cap and maybe a leave in conditioner might work for you lovely daughter

I think you just need a better fitting swim cap.

Swimming cap, FILs wife has just said 'Soul Cap' are what she, her dd & gdd use

@Jewel1968

Chlorinates that should read

It’s chloramines that are created, which form a dense layer just above the surface of the water and are pretty nasty to inhale. Chemicals from hair / body products and urea from sweat react with the chlorine used to treat the pool water to create chloramines.

If you’re going to slather on hair conditioner then you need a well fitting silicone cap (or a Soul Cap) to minimise conditioner getting into the water.

You can buy a pre swim conditioner. Can't remember the name but we got it in boots.

@DM29

I had no idea there was a black mumsnet board how do I access?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/black_mumsnetters

@SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound

Have you seen the Soul Cap? If the swim cap she has doesn’t keep her hair dry it might be worth checking it out, it’s designed for Afro hair and they do a child’s version as well as adults.

Yep these are fantastic, I have one and it's amazing. Are there showers there? I also wet my hair before going in, sounds counterproductive but as it becomes saturated it absorbs less chlorine etc. When I was little I used to be in tears after swimming, there weren't any caps then that fitted over my hair :(

@turkeyboots

Can she get her swim hat on by herself? DD has swam since very young, but was 10 before she could get a hat on by herself.

No she can’t, I understand the teacher helps her.

@drspouse

Would the school be amenable to telling them all to wet their hair fully?

I doubt it I’m afraid and especially as they are so young it will be lots of wet heads for the afternoon I’d imagine.

@SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound

Have you seen the Soul Cap? If the swim cap she has doesn’t keep her hair dry it might be worth checking it out, it’s designed for Afro hair and they do a child’s version as well as adults.

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve never heard of them so will definitely check it out. It seems quite popular here on the thread.

Thank you so much for all your replies, I really do appreciate it. X

Can she get her swim hat on by herself? DD has swam since very young, but was 10 before she could get a hat on by herself.

Swim caps and verruca socks are the two most user-unfriendly garments I’ve encountered in my 60+ years.