We have often seen actresses and models with amazingly beautiful curls that look like beachy waves, and that makes us wonder what they did to their hair. Well, this is the effect of saltwater on your hair. So, does saltwater make your hair curly? Well, we can say yes, but the curls or waves will only be temporary until the saltwater has its effect. Once the effect goes down, your hair will restore its original shape.
Saltwater or seawater spray can volumize your hair and define your curls properly. But apart from giving you that beachy waves, there are also some disadvantages of saltwater on hair.
Let’s understand everything in detail. Check out the blog-
Saltwater and Your Hair Structure
If you have seen your hair at the beach, you know it is due to the salt in the water. The so-called beachy waves are due to the saltwater present in the ocean. The magic of saltwater lies in the chemical composition of it. Seawater or Saltwater is a hypertonic solution, meaning its concentration is more than that of salt. This creates an osmosis effect and then Saltwater pulls out moisture from your curls and gives it a temporary boost and volume.
However saltwater has different effects on different types of hair structure. Let’s see how saltwater interacts with your hair structure–
1. Dry Hair-
This is considered as the hidden cost of saltwater. Saltwater is hygroscopic, meaning it pulls moisture from its surroundings—including your hair. When exposed to saltwater, the moisture within your hair strands is drawn out, leaving them dehydrated and brittle.
2. Increased Frizz and Texture-
Saltwater can make your curls more frizzy and also disrupt the hair texture. The salt in the water interacts with your keratin’s structure by forming additional cross-links between protein molecules. When the lifted cuticles give your curls volume, it also makes them porous allowing moisture to escape from hair strands and making it all frizzy.
While the beachy look may be appealing in the short term, prolonged exposure can leave your hair unruly and harder to manage.
3. Disruption of Natural Oils-
Curls and natural oil do not really go well. Due to the coiled structure of curls, scalp oil does not travel down the curls and keeps them dry. Now, saltwater enhances this thing, it disrupts the natural oil of the scalp and strips it away. This leads your hair strands to be more prone to dryness.
Hair Type and Texture
Saltwater not only affects curly hair, but it also affects straight hair. Here is how every hair type responds differently to the saltwater.
- Straight Hair- Typically more resilient but can still become dry and lifeless after prolonged exposure. Straight hair may lose its shine due to cuticle damage.
- Curly or Wavy Hair- This type of hair becomes more frizzy and dry due to dehydrating hair strands.
- Fine Hair- Fine hair becomes voluminous with the saltwater contact and brittleness increases.
- Color Treated Hair- If you have colored hair, then chances are, saltwater may fade the color of your hair and also weaken hair strands.
Salt Water and Hair Health
In the above section, you have only seen salt water and its negative effect on hair. But there is a pros and cons to everything. So, let’s see some benefits of saltwater and then some disadvantages.
Benefits of Saltwater for Hair
- Added Volume and Texture-
If you have got fine hair, without much volume then salt water will help you. Ideally, saltwater is used for creating a fuller hairstyle.
- Scalp Exfoliation-
Saltwater helps in the scalp exfoliation. It removes the buildup products from the scalp and makes it clean and clear. However, it is still not proven confirmed, there is a debate going on between dermatologists. So, if you have a sensitive scalp, be careful.
- Antifungal Properties-
Saltwater also helps to remove dandruff from the hair as it is rich in antifungal properties. Still more research is going on in this field.
- Natural Oil Reduction-
If you have an oily scalp, then using salt water will help reduce natural oil.
Drawbacks or Disadvantages of Saltwater for hair
- Dehydration-
Your hair will be drier than before, which will lead to dehydration and split ends of hair.
- Frizz-
Increased porosity of the curls, will make it frizzy and harder to manage.
- Color Fading-
Saltwater is a disadvantage for colored hair. Using it will fade the color of your curls.
- Scalp Irritation-
Can cause redness or flaking in sensitive individuals.
How to protect hair from saltwater damage?
Seeing all the above disadvantages, are you also thinking that won’t I be ever able to take a dip in the ocean? Well, no, there are ways to protect hair from saltwater damage.
- Pre-Wet your Hair- Rinse your hair before you take a dip in the ocean. Doing this will reduce your ability to absorb saltwater.
- Apply a Barrier- Use a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil before going in the waves, this will lock the moisture in your curls and will protect hair against saltwater.
- Rinse after every Swim- As soon as you are finished swimming, it is good to wash your hair as soon as possible, this will wash out all the salt residues.
- Deep Condition Your Hair- Giving your curls a deep conditioned treatment, will also help your curls to reduce dehydration and will also restore lost moisture.
- Protective Hairstyles- Instead of going with your hair open in the sea or ocean, try to use a protective hairstyle like a braid or bun. This helps to reduce the hair damage.
- Avoid DIY Salt Sprays– DIY Salt sprays can indeed give you beachy waves, but they can also make your curls very dry. If you still wish to use them, take into consideration the one having a conditioning agent.
Saltwater has an undeniable charm—it gives us those mermaid-like waves we adore while offering some benefits like scalp exfoliation. However, the drying effect, and the frizziness all these things also come along with saltwater usage on curls.
By understanding how saltwater interacts with different hair types and adopting protective measures, you can enjoy all the fun of beach days without compromising on your tresses’ health.
FAQs on Does Salt Water Make Your Hair Curly
1. What does salt water do to your hair?
Saltwater has both positive and negative effects on your hair. On the one hand, where it adds volume, and texture and gives you that “beachy waves” look, on the other hand, it makes your hair dry, and frizzy and also damages the hair cuticles.
2. Does sea salt make straight hair curly?
Sea salt won’t turn straight hair curly but can enhance its natural texture. The salt absorbs moisture from the strands and creates a rougher surface, which may give straight hair a wavy or tousled appearance temporarily.
3. What makes hair more curly?
Hair becomes curlier when its structure is changed by factors like loss of moisture and changes in the hair cuticles. Salt water helps to amplify curls by dehydrating the hair strands. Other ways to enhance curls include using curl-enhancing products and diffusing while drying.
4. Can you leave salt water in your hair overnight?
Leaving saltwater in your hair for one full night is never recommended. Long exposure to salt can lead to dryness, hair breakage, and damage to the scalp. Therefore, always wash your hair as soon as you come from the ocean dip.
