It hot and it getting hotter in Florida, and I tend to go to the beach, pools, and swimming park a lot during those time, especially the summer months. Going to those places are fun, and it gives my daughter and I time to cool down and have some fun, instead of being hold up in our home with the A/C going on full blast.

So yesterday I went to the pool, and when I went home, I immediately rinsed and conditioned my sisterlocks. I always had a rough idea what chlorine does to my hair, but I wasn't positive to say the least. I decided to do some research, and wanted to share my finding with you guys. I also decided to do a little twist to this post. I decided to show a benefit side, for the newly install lockers out there as well.

Note: Picture on the right is Pompano Beach (took that with my iPhone), which happens to be my favorite beach, because it sooooo nice. Look at that water =).

Chlorine & Beach Effects on Locks

We know that having chlorine in the pool protects everyone, as far as the beach is concern, mother nature is Mother Nature. Chlorine effect on our locks are similar to how saltwater (beach water) effects our locks as well. Our hair shaft has many layers, the outer layer called the cuticle, protects the inner shaft of our hair. The chlorine/saltwater for the most part, will stripe out the natural lubricant (sebum) or moisturizer you normal have on your hair shaft (cuticle). Once that happen (after many attack from the chlorine & saltwater) Chlorine & saltwater will start penetrating the hair shaft by opening the cuticle. Once that happen, the hair may not reflect light, and doesn’t appear as shiny.

Once the cuticle is disrupted, hair quickly loses moisture, and it can feel dehydrated and brittle. This is why you notice your hair becomes much dryer once you get out of the pool. If you continue going to the pool without protecting your hair, you can potentially damage your cuticle which will leaves your cortex unprotected, which can lead to what you call "split ends". For us lockers, we don't have split end, but you get the picture =).

First, this does not happen with one dip in the pool or beach. Second, the only issue we locker have to worry about is the dryness of our locks, since split end doesn't really concern us that much. So don't worry or stress about chlorine & saltwater on our locks (if you natural you still have to worry), and go enjoy the freedom of being locked. If you do enjoy multiply trip to the beach or pool, and want to add an extra layer of protection, look at the suggested tips below.


Ways To Protect Your Locks From The Chlorine & Beach.

• Apply a silicone heavy base conditioner before entering the pool.
• Or you can apply an extra layer of your own moisturizer, and thoroughly wet your locks for about 15-minute before entering the swimming pool. Your hair will absorb the tap water instead of the chlorinated pool water (this is what I will do from now on).
• Wear A Swimming Cap(I don't, since I don't go swimming every day, but if you do, you may need to invest in one)
• After you are done swimming, rinse your locks with tap water, preferably washing the chlorine or saltwater out with a mild shampoo. Then condition and moisturizer if needed.

Now there is an idea out there involving plain old saltwater, several people are raving about how saltwater can speed up the process of locking for the newly install dreadlocks.

This concept does makes much sense, since dryer hair would mat a lot faster (hence why baby sisterlocks wearer are advised not to put anything on their hair). So if you looking for a way to speed up the locking process check out the pool or beach as an option, without any extra layer of protection, and see if that would help. I would advise to at least moisturize at times, since you hair will not only be dryer, but rougher as well.

FYI, dirty hair DOES NOT speed up the locking phase, so please wash your hair, and let nature takes its course. Here is an interesting YouTube video I found of a woman discussing saltwater in general, and the effect on her dreadlocks, and how it helped speed up the process for her.