It is no secret that scuba diving is not the most glamorous of sports. Ok, ok, there is nothing glamorous about diving except maybe how amazing it makes you feel- beauty does come from the inside, right? Here are some tips to help you take control of your dive mane that will not leave you from surfacing with an Einstein-esque head of hair.
- Braids
French braids, double braids, or my personal favourite: ‘diving princess hair’. You know- a small half French braid starting slightly off centre of your forehead, running down the side of your head and then tied up into a ponytail which is then also braided. It makes me feel a bit like Xena the warrior- princess. I digress. Braids are the best way to keep your luscious locks under control… under the water.
- Hoods and Buffs
For a little bit of added control you can use a hood or a buff to keep your tresses from tangling while in the water. Make sure that your hood is not too tight and that you do not risk overheating on warm days. Buffs are good alternatives if you are diving in warm conditions. They also come in handy on the boat, especially on windy boat rides to and from the dive site.
- Neoprene mask straps
Silicone mask straps often ‘sticks’ to your hair, leaving it tangled and broken. A good alternative is a neoprene mask straps. Some neoprene mask straps attach to your mast with Velcro- a notorious hair-tangler in and of itself. Rather opt for a neoprene mask strap cover. They slip over the silicone mask strap, making your mask strap easier to put on and take of while protecting your hair at the same time.
- Reef safe conditioners
Leave-in conditioners and coconut oil are good ways to keep your hair moisturised and limit the damage from (salt) water and sun. Add a good amount to your hair and comb it through before your dive. After the dive(s) try to rinse your hair with fresh water as soon as possible and add a small amount of leave-in conditioner to your hair. To protect the underwater environment make sure you use reef-safe products.
Stream2Sea has some amazing reef-safe products for your body and hair!
- The magic of detangling brushes
A detangling brush is a must for any diver with long locks. They are usually made of plastic (yes, we know) with bristles that vary in length. We are not sure exactly how it works, all we know if that it works absolute magic for post-dive tangled hair. It is definitely an investment worth making.
While diving is not the most glamorous of sports we hope that these tips on taming your diving mane helps just a little bit to let the mermaid in you shine through.
*A version of this article first appeared at www.scubadiverlife.com
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