How to Protect Your Hair from Saltwater Damage: A Surfer’s Guide
If you’ve noticed your hair becoming dry, brittle, breaking, or thinning you’re not alone. I experienced major hair loss and thinning over the past year. I didn't know exactly what it was -long covid, stress, perimenopause, hair coloring- but I did know that spending hours in saltwater wasn’t helping. My curly hair felt crunchy when I squeezed it, it was breaking in pieces I could see on my bathroom counter and it became noticeably thinner. But one thing I wasn't going to do was stop surfing. So I had to figure out how I could protect my hair from the salt water because I couldn't afford any more damage. I had to figure this out.
After experimenting with different natural oils, I found a blend that helped restore my hair’s strength, protect it before surfing, and even promoted regrowth. (It's growing back!) I use it before I go in salt or chlorine but I also will use it as an overnight hair mask. I can now say that it is no longer crunchy! This guide covers everything I’ve learned about keeping hair healthy in the ocean and info on my pre-swim hair mask—so you can enjoy the waves without sacrificing your strands.
Why Does Saltwater Damage Hair?
Q: Does saltwater make your hair fall out?
A: Saltwater itself doesn’t cause permanent hair loss, but it does weaken the cuticle, making hair more brittle and prone to breakage. Over time, repeated exposure without protection can make thinning worse.
Q: Is ocean water bad for your scalp?
A: Yes, salt and sun together can dry the scalp and clog follicles, which may slow hair growth. Using nourishing oils before surfing helps protect both scalp and hair.
Saltwater is incredibly drying. It strips moisture from hair, weakens the cuticle, and causes:
Dehydration – Salt pulls moisture from the hair shaft, leaving it dry and brittle (crunchy)
Protein Loss – The outer protective layer (cuticle) lifts, leading to frizz and breakage.
Scalp Irritation – Salt and sun exposure can clog follicles, slowing hair growth.
Being proactive is the way to heal it. Why work so hard on fixing it when you can prevent it from getting damaged in the first place?
Pre-Surf (or swim) Hair Protection: Keep Your Hair Hydrated & Strong
1. Apply a Protective Barrier First
Before heading into the ocean, apply a nutrient-rich, ocean-safe oil blend to your hair. This will absorb into your hair so the ocean water can’t. It creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture, preventing saltwater from dehydrating your strands.
Next, soak hair in fresh water so any part of your hair that was not absorbed by oil is at least now absorbing fresh water rather than salt water.
Why apply the oil before wetting your hair?
Q: Should I wet my hair with fresh water before going in the ocean?
A: Ideally, apply protective oil first so it penetrates deeply, then soak with fresh water if possible. That way, any hair not covered in oil absorbs fresh water instead of salt water.
If you rinse with fresh water first, your hair absorbs that water—leaving little room for the protective oil to penetrate. Instead, coat your dry hair with the oil blend first, then if possible, wet your hair with fresh water afterward.
Key Ingredients to Look For:
Jojoba oil, Shea butter, Kokum, Mango butter, Coconut oil and Beeswax – Provide deep hydration and prevent salt from stripping natural moisture.
Rosemary oil (for growth) – Stimulates the scalp and strengthens follicles. If using the rosemary version massage it into your scalp to help it absorb into your hair follicles
2. Style for Less Tangle & Breakage
Saltwater swells the hair cuticle, making it more prone to tangling and breakage. Before heading out:
Braid your hair – Keeps it contained and less likely to tangle.
Put it in a low bun or two– Ideal for those with shorter hair. 
Post-Surf Hair Care: Restore & Replenish
Q: What should I wash my hair with after swimming in the ocean?
A: Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash. Harsh cleansers strip natural oils and make dryness worse. If you’ve used a protective hair mask, add a little conditioner first — it helps release oils so they rinse out easily.
Q: How do I detangle hair after surfing?
A: Avoid brushing soaking wet hair, since it’s most fragile then. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb on damp hair, ideally with a leave-in conditioner.
1. Rinse Immediately with Fresh Water
As soon as you’re out of the ocean, rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water to remove salt buildup.
2. Use a Gentle, Sulfate-Free Cleanser
Harsh shampoos strip natural oils and worsen dryness. Opt for a sulfate-free, hydrating wash or co-wash. If the shower water drains to the ocean make sure it is reef safe. Pro tip: If you're using the hair mask you can put a little conditioner on it first, this helps loosen up the oils so it will wash out with shampoo easier.
3. Deep Condition & Rehydrate
Apply a natural oil treatment or deep conditioner to restore moisture. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing or leave it in overnight for maximum hydration. Do this as much as possible.
4. Avoid Brushing Wet Hair
Wet hair is at its most fragile. Brushing immediately after a surf session can lead to breakage. Instead:
Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush (like a Wet brush) on damp (not soaking wet) hair.
If hair is super tangled, apply a leave-in conditioner first.
By applying a protective reef safe oil before surfing, using gentle cleansing methods, and avoiding breakage, you can keep your hair strong, healthy, and full and still get that salt water therapy.
Q: What ingredients should I look for in a pre-surf hair oil?
A: Oils and butters like jojoba, coconut, shea, kokum, mango, and beeswax seal in moisture. Rosemary oil is excellent for growth if massaged into the scalp. Always choose reef-safe blends to protect the ocean.
Stay tuned for my reef-safe, pre-surf hair protectant, designed specifically for surfers like us! Let me know—what are your biggest hair struggles after surfing or swimming in the ocean?