6 Reasons Your Hair Needs Seawater

Many people are unsure of the benefits that ocean water will have on their hair.

There are actually quite a few reasons to go for a dip, however salt has been used historically in medicine for its healing properties and is a vital mineral for the human body.

Here are 6 reasons ocean water is good for your hair, plus options if you aren’t near any salt water.

The Benefits of Ocean Water

1.  The salt crystals in the water add extra body to your hair, along with soothing itchy, dry and flaky scalps.
2.  Vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and selenium are present in the water. These all contribute to hair health, and salt water also flushes out elements like mercury which are harmful to the hair.
3.  Salt water is an excellent exfoliator and also stimulates blood flow in the scalp. This ensures that more nutrients get to the hair follicles, which results in healthier hair.
4.  Salt has anti-fungal properties and helps get rid of fungus-induced dandruff by reducing moisture.
5.  Sea water is a natural shampoo. It helps strip heavy oils and excess sebum from the hair, which makes it smoother. This is especially helpful for people with naturally greasy hair. It also helps remove leftover shampoo and conditioner that the hair has been treated with.
6.  Sea water has an antibiotic effect on the scalp and can also be used to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Salt also has a healing effect on cuts and abrasions.

Hair Care Precautions

It is not recommended to expose your hair to ocean water if you have recently treated your hair with chemicals such as dye or bleach. Treated hair has already been stripped of its nutrients and salt water will wick further moisture from the hair. Dyed hair can also begin to fade with excessive salt water exposure. You can get around this by first adding oil to your hair before entering the water.

The oil will shield your hair strands while allowing the scalp to benefit from the minerals. You can also use a moisturizer or deep conditioner to keep your hair hydrated and soft.

It’s important to wash your hair following salt water exposure, because if the salt remains in the hair for too long it will dry it out. If you’re planning on exposing your hair to ocean water, it’s recommended that you first use hair cream that contains SPF. While you’re in the ocean your hair is being exposed to a lot of UV rays. Using SPF cream in the hair helps prevent UV damage.

Ocean Water Alternatives

For those of us who do not live near salt water, there is luckily a convenient remedy that mimics the effects of a dip in the ocean. Mix two parts castile soap and three parts sea salt into a container and blend thoroughly. Wash your hair with this mixture for around 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water to eliminate the residue.

Alternatively, mix three tablespoons of sea salt with warm water and massage the scalp with it for 6-8 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water afterward. Another homemade salt water treatment is created by first mixing 1 tbsp warm water and 1 tbsp sea salt into a spray bottle until the salt dissolves.

Next, add 1 tbsp coconut oil and 1 tbsp leave-in conditioner. To avoid developing follicle damage and rough hair, do not wash with these homemade solutions more than once a month.

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