Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by Dru Meskan
Around here, summer runs on pool water. You’ve got long afternoons at the pool, a grill going in the backyard, and sun that shows up before you’re awake and hangs around past dinner. Good season, no argument. But chlorine, heat, and all that Scottsdale sun add up, and your hair pays the tab. Leave it alone, and you’ll notice the difference by August: dry, brittle, and flat where it used to have some life.
Here’s the thing, though. It doesn’t take much to stay ahead of it. A handful of tweaks to what you’re already doing, and you can keep swimming without wincing at the mirror later. This guide from First & Mane covers three stretches: getting your hair ready before you jump in, holding the line through the hottest weeks, and bringing it back once the heat lets up.
How Should You Prepare Your Hair Before Hitting the Pool?
Create a Protective Barrier Before You Swim
Prep counts for a lot, and most guys skip it. Before you go anywhere near the water, work a leave-in conditioner or a light hair oil through your hair. It leaves a thin coat that slows chlorine and salt water down before they can settle into the strand. Same idea as sunscreen, just aimed at your hair instead of your shoulders. Takes ten seconds, and over a full Scottsdale pool party season, that adds up.
Rinse with Fresh Water First
Not many people know this trick. Wet your hair with clean water before you get in the pool. Hair soaks up whatever’s around it, so if it’s already full of fresh water, there’s less capacity left for the chlorinated stuff to move in and do damage.
Consider a Swim Cap for Frequent Swimmers
In the pool three or four times a week? Get a swim cap. Nobody’s pretending it looks great. But if you’re taking on chlorine that often, or you’re protecting a fresh cut or a color job, a cap does more for your hair than anything else you can buy.
What’s the Best Way to Care for Your Hair During Pool Season?
Rinse Immediately After Swimming
Rinse as soon as you’re out of the water. Good hair care after swimming starts here – chlorine and salt do their real damage sitting on dry hair, so clearing them off fast keeps the dryness and that dull, off color from creeping in weeks down the road.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo Weekly
Once or twice a week through peak season, swap in a clarifying shampoo. It cleans deeper than your daily wash and pulls out the buildup ordinary shampoo leaves sitting on your hair. Watch the frequency, though. Reach for it too often, and it’ll strip your hair dry, which is the exact problem you’re trying to fix.
Balance with Moisturizing Products
Balance is the whole game here. Rotate that clarifying shampoo with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. You clear the buildup one day and put moisture back the next, so your hair stays soft instead of turning into straw.
How Can You Protect Your Hair From Sun and Heat Damage?
Apply UV-Protective Products
Sun wears on your hair the same way it wears on your skin. Before you head out, hit it with a UV-protective spray or serum. Skip that step and the sun dries your hair out, makes it snap easier, and quietly bleaches whatever color you’ve got.
Wear a Hat When You Can
If there’s an easy win on this list, it’s a hat or a visor. Wear one when it makes sense. Your hair and scalp get a break from the direct sun; it costs nothing, and it’s welcome shade when the afternoon won’t quit. A few solid hair care tips after swimming and sun exposure go a long way toward keeping things manageable.
Deep Condition on a Weekly Basis
Guys sleep on this one. A weekly deep conditioning treatment feeds moisture back in and slowly works against everything chlorine and sun keep dishing out. Stay consistent, and your hair holds up soft and intact right through the season.
How Do You Repair Hair Damage After Pool Season Ends?
Incorporate Intensive Hair Masks
When the season eases off, start reaching for hair masks. They pack in more moisture than your regular routine and mend the wear that built up over months. Good after pool hair care doesn’t stop at rinsing – call it a reset for hair that’s had a long summer.
Book a Professional Treatment
Some damage runs past what a mask can handle. When it does, a professional treatment like a protein deep conditioning rebuilds strength from inside the strand, reaching what you can’t get to on your own.
Ease Back Into Your Normal Routine
Don’t yank everything back to normal in a day. Work your way back into your usual routine slowly, and your hair gets the runway it needs to recover without the shock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my hair during pool season?
Wash after every swim. Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week and a moisturizing shampoo the rest of the time to keep it balanced.
Can chlorine actually change my hair color?
Yep. Lighter hair can pick up a green tint, and color-treated or blonde hair is the most likely to. A rinse before and after swimming keeps it under control.
Is it necessary to see a professional after a summer of swimming?
No, not necessary. But a professional deep conditioning treatment handles the stubborn damage that store-bought products tend to miss.
Let Us Help You Keep Your Hair in Top Shape
Pool season doesn’t have to wreck your hair. Get the prep, the upkeep, and the recovery right, and you can spend the whole summer in the water and come out fine. Whether you’re looking for the best barber shop North Scottsdale has to offer or just want advice built around your hair, reach out and we’ll keep you looking sharp all season at First & Mane.
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.