What I did:
- Shampooed with diluted AO Swimmer’s Shampoo
- DC’d with Jessicurl WDT
- Twisted wet hair with KBB Hair Butter, re-wetting with Homemade Spritz
- I braided at the roots first and then twisted to prevent puffiness
You may have read earlier that I was afraid to leave my hair in twists for fear of chlorine being trapped/me not rinsing it out well enough. Well, it’s time for me to experiment because I’m tired of wearing my hair out so much. I love wearing wash n go’s and puffs sometimes, but I’ve been doing it entirely too much lately and my hair will suffer either way. My hair LIKES twists and twist outs and that is what it’s going to get.
It’s not uncommon for me to rinse my twists on a regular basis and I will even sometimes cowash them, but this will be a new ball game. Even then I usually have a few unravel and I have to redo them (maybe 6-8 at most).
Here is what I figure I need to do:
- Use a sponge to squeeze the shampoo in
- Dunk my head in water to try and rinse thoroughly. A shower stream can sometimes be a bit disruptive in this case
- DC my twists and then dunk again to rinse
- Continue to apply conditioner to my hair prior to getting in the pool
We will see how this goes. If anyone has suggestions/experience in this area, please share 
I’m flying blind here. I considered cornrows again but thought I’d be able to rinse my hair more thoroughly in twists.
I don’t want to be afraid of the pool, which I know a lot of women of color are because of hair issues. Deep down I know it’s silly but it’s something I can’t help. My friend who is doing this triathlon training with me can’t see what the big deal is, but she can just wash her hair, shake it and go.
I keep thinking back to that article about how black women don’t work out because we are afraid of messing up our hair. Obviously, being natural offers a bit less of an excuse since we don’t have to worry about reversion, so I’m not completely in that category but it certainly lights a fire under me to try and find a good regimen for swimming on a regular basis.
Swimming is an excellent form of aerobic exercise and I would like to continue doing it. Ug, ignore me I’m just whining. Here are the pictures:
{ 1 trackback }
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE your twists! They look great!
Just Gorgeous!! How long does it take to do your twists?
Oh what lovely twists! I can’t wait until I am able to do some
Your twists are beautiful!!!!
Hey there,
Twists work best for me during this time of the year.
I went to the Water Park with my son when I dropped him at Nana’s for the summer and also went to the whirlpool at the local YMCA and both times, I was wearing twists.
Unfortunately, mine get pretty ragged looking after a shampoo/condition/deep condition so I ALWAYS have to retwist or rock a twistout puff after but even if I retwist, it is still not as time consuming as a full styling session since the parts are already in place. lol
Your regimen sound great.
I really love your hair (can’t say it enough)!! lol
your twist look great!. I am about to go on vacation-cruise and have reading your site on info for swimming. I think you are doing it the right way-I read other sites also and they say the same thing, wetting hair before getting in and applying conditioner. Rinsing well after you get out. Some even stress using a natural clarifying shampoo and using the sponge to get the shampoo in. I am going through all my hair products to see what will be going with me on my trip. I am going to keep my hair in twist-fat twist and pin them up.
Continue swimming and having fun and hopefully all that you do for you hair will keep it healthy while you swim. I am encouraged to take swimming lesson when I read your site!!
Maybe you can try to use a color applicator and use your diluted shampoo. When I swim or go on vacation I just do a bun afterwards my twists unravel anytime water touches them.
BTW the twists are beautiful
I’m taking swimming lessons every day next week. Have you found a cap that fits? My hair is pretty thick and I’m wondering if I can find a cap.
You have the most beautiful set of twists I have ever seen. They are simply gorgeous.
Hi! Just found your site poking around from nappturality. I love your twists!!
I really like that you don’t use your hairstyle as an excuse not to exercise. I like running and it has actually done wonders for my scalp and hair. I keep thinking I might start up a protective style/protective body challenge there someday. Keep swimming!!