It is hard to resist diving into a sparkling, cold swimming pool or beach during the summer heat. But if you wear a wig, the first question that pops up in your mind is Can you swim with a wig on? If you have just invested in a beautiful wig or plan on buying one and don’t want to risk damaging it, then the short answer is yes, you can swim with a wig. But it takes some preparation and aftercare to make sure your wig doesn’t get damaged, and you need the correct wig if you are a frequent swimmer. This guide will explain everything you need to swim with a wig, so keep reading.
As mentioned earlier, yes, swimming with a wig is possible, and women do it all the time. The reason you might hear people warning not to swim with a wig is because of the presence of chlorine in pools and saltwater from the ocean. It is important to know that chlorine and salt aren’t just harmful for your wig; they have a negative impact on your real hair as well. However, apart from damaging the hair fibres of your wig, these factors can also weaken the wig cap and the lace of your wig. Now that is a cause of concern for any serious wig lover.
If you are swimming frequently, such as every day or most days of the week, it is best to consider buying a dedicated swim wig. That way, you can wear your swim wig to the pool or when taking a dip in the ocean while your most prized wigs remain undamaged.
When you are getting your swim wig, you will be choosing between two major categories of wigs, called human hair wigs and synthetic wigs. Here is how both of them compare in terms of their swim friendliness:
These look the best, and they are great for styling to match any beach or vacation look. Now, as the name suggests, human hair wigs are made from actual human hair, so they handle water better. However, there is always a risk of damage from chlorine and saltwater, as explained earlier. So, human hair wigs will require a lot of love before and after you go for a swim, which we will explain in the next section of the article. But they offer unmatched realism, which is important for that perfect beach vacation look, and you can keep a dedicated human hair wig for swimming, so you don’t have to compromise on natural appeal even when enjoying a swim.
Synthetic wigs, as the name suggests, are made from artificial hair fibres and not actual human hair. They are a cheaper alternative to human hair wigs, but they can’t match the realism and styling freedom of real human hair. Not to mention, the synthetic fibres are more prone to getting damaged by chemicals in the pool due to their composition.
To sum it all up, if you don’t want to compromise on realism, then a human hair wig remains the best option as a swim wig. Granted that you take care of your wig, which is expected for your natural hair as well.
When it comes to swimming with a wig, the first thing you need to be careful about is a proper installation. You don’t want your wig to come loose when you are in a pool or enjoying the waves at the beach. Use a wig that comes with more than one method to secure it to your wig cap. Using a silicone wig grip offers extra hold, and then secure the wig to it using combs/clips and an adjustable strap. Double check to ensure the wig isn’t loose.
Before jumping into the pool or the ocean, wet your wig with clean water and apply a leave in conditioner. Or you can oil the wig lightly if a conditioner is not available. Oils like coconut oil and conditioner act as a barrier and protect your wig’s fibre from chlorine and salt.
Similar to how you would with your natural hair, choose a braid or bun style for your wig before entering the water. You can also use a snug swim cap over your wig for added security. Avoid excessive underwater movement or activities that can loosen your wig or cause tangling.
As soon as you are out of the water, rinse your wig thoroughly with clean and cool water to remove any chlorine or salt residue.
Use a gentle shampoo to wash your hair and then apply a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture and softness. Make sure to gently dry your wig by patting it with a towel, avoid brushing or combing it when the wig is wet, and leave it to air dry naturally.
Once the wig has dried, you can use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair serum to keep your wig’s fibres smooth. This also makes the wig easy to manage by keeping the hair soft.
Swimming with a wig is totally possible; you just need to prepare your wig and use the right option. As long as you follow the instructions we have shared in this article for swimming with a wig, you can keep your wig looking great while looking stylish at the beach.
The Fashion and Style enthusiast with a flair for drama and entertainment! A millennial on the lookout for the trending styles inspired by and believes in: “You can get anything in life if you have the right dress for it!” Adding a little magic through the power of words and not holding back on fashion and styling opinions! Let’s connect to stay on top of trend alerts and the who is who of Fashion world and get inspired to give your personality the styling oomph you’ve been craving for! Nageen Abbas at Vogue Vocal is the brains behind our Woke Vogue and Lifestyle Library!
