Sweat-Proof. Swim-Proof. Summer-Proof.
Tips For Healthy Hair All Summer Long
Your complete guide to tangle free hair at the beach, pool, surf board, and every outdoor adventure in between.
Protect your hair all summer long with Rip Tie hairtie.
Summer is everything: warm water, salty air, long days in the sun. But for anyone with hair past their shoulders, those blissful hours in the ocean or pool can quietly turn into a nightmare the moment you reach for a comb. Salt water locks strands together. Chlorine strips moisture and causes tangling. Wind whips hair into knots before you even hit the waves. By the time you're back on shore, what started as a great hair day has become a knotted, brittle mess that takes half a bottle of conditioner and real patience to undo.
The good news is that summer hair damage is almost entirely preventable. This guide breaks down the exact steps to protect your hair before, during, and after water exposure, from choosing the right protective hairstyle to using the right hairtie. Because how you secure your hair matters just as much as what products you use.
— Sarah Fox, Founder of Rip Tie Hair, reflecting on her time as a scuba diver in Guam that inspired the invention.
Source: The Guam Daily Post
That frustration — hours in the water, then hours in the shower fighting knots — is what launched Rip Tie Hair. And now, as a brand backed by Shark Tank investors, Rip Tie hairtie is helping swimmers, surfers, and outdoor lovers everywhere stop tangles before they start.
Why Summer Is So Hard on Your Hair
Before you can protect your hair, it helps to understand exactly what is happening to it. Summer throws multiple stressors at your strands simultaneously, and they compound each other in ways that most people don't realize.
Salt Water and Ocean Exposure
Salt water is a natural dehydrator. When you emerge from the ocean, salt crystals cling to each strand and draw moisture out of the hair shaft as they dry. According to Healthline, both salt water and chlorine strip the protective lipid layer from hair, leaving strands more porous, prone to frizz, and vulnerable to breakage. That rough, textured feeling after a swim isn't just "beachy texture" — it's your hair cuticle being lifted and damaged.
Tangling happens because lifted, rough cuticles catch on each other like velcro. The longer your hair and the more time you spend in salt water without protection, the worse the matting becomes.
Chlorine and Pool Chemistry
Pool water is a different kind of harsh. Chlorine oxidizes the proteins in your hair, weakening the strand structure over time. For color-treated hair, it can cause brassiness or fading. For natural hair, it strips moisture and elasticity. Regular pool swimmers who don't protect their hair often notice accelerated breakage, dryness, and split ends by mid-summer — especially if they're also using traditional elastic hair ties that pull and snag.
UV Damage and Heat
Just as UV rays break down skin collagen, they break down the melanin and protein structure in your hair. Extended sun exposure fades color and weakens strands. Combined with the drying effects of salt or chlorine, UV exposure is a third stressor working against your hair health simultaneously.
Salt water tangles are preventable with the right prep and the right hairtie.
Rip Tie Hair's hairtie was created by founder Sarah Fox after years of scuba diving in Guam left her battling severe saltwater tangles weekly. That real-world problem led to a patented design that secured a deal with three investors on ABC's Shark Tank, including Lori Greiner and Allison Ellsworth, co-founder of Poppi. The brand has also been featured in Good Morning America (via 40 Boxes by Tory Johnson) and highlighted by Daily Mom as a top pick for reducing tangles and supporting healthier hair growth.
Read the full origin story: The Guam Daily Post — Former Guam Resident Bags 3 Shark Tank Investors
Pre-Swim Hair Protection: What to Do Before You Get In the Water
The single most important window for preventing summer hair damage is the 5 to 10 minutes before you enter the water. A quick pre-swim routine creates a barrier between your strands and the elements, dramatically reducing tangles and breakage.
How Rip Tie Hairtie Works as a Swim-Ready Protective Solution
Rip Tie keeps hair streamlined and smooth — even in the water.
The Rip Tie hairtie was specifically designed to solve the problem of water-induced tangling. Its patented construction consists of a larger anchor hairtie connected by a braided elastic section to a smaller securing hairtie — all as one continuous piece. This design keeps hair smooth, contained, and pointing in one direction so that strands can't cross over each other and mat together in the water.
As founder Sarah Fox described it: the design "keeps hair smooth, contained, streamlined and all in one direction, preventing tangles." And critically, when you step out of the ocean or pool, you're not tearing through a knotted mass to remove your hairtie. Less detangling means less breakage. Daily Mom featured Rip Tie Hair as a go-to tool for reducing tangles and supporting healthy hair growth, noting its gentle yet secure hold designed for all hair types.
It's also completely portable. Toss one in your beach bag, dive kit, or swimming bag and you're ready to go. The hairtie is available in beautiful color collections, so it's functional and stylish for everything from lap swimming to surfing to a casual beach day.
From surfing to diving, Rip Tie keeps hair contained and tangle free in any water activity.
After the Swim: Post-Water Hair Care to Prevent Breakage
What you do in the hour after you leave the water is almost as important as your pre-swim prep. Wet hair is at its most fragile state — the hair shaft is swollen with water, the cuticle is raised, and strands are more susceptible to stretching and snapping than at any other time.
Rinse Immediately
As soon as you're done swimming, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean, fresh water. This removes salt crystals or chlorine before they dry and further dehydrate the strand. Don't skip this step even if you're heading straight back in — a quick fresh water rinse between swims makes a real difference by the end of the day.
Apply Leave-In Conditioner or Detangling Spray
While hair is still damp, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or detangling spray throughout the mid-lengths and ends. This restores some of the moisture lost to the water and gives you the slip you need to detangle without breaking strands.
Detangle Gently, Starting at the Ends
Never start detangling at the root and drag down. Instead, hold the hair mid-shaft and work from the ends upward in small sections. Use a wide-tooth comb or a flexible paddle brush. If hair was secured in a Rip Tie style during the swim, you'll find far fewer knots to work through since the strands stayed contained and aligned in the water.
Avoid Heat Styling on Beach Days
Hair that has been exposed to sun, salt, and chlorine is already thermally stressed. Adding blow dryers or flat irons compounds that damage significantly. Let hair air dry whenever possible, or use the lowest heat setting with a heat protectant spray if styling is necessary.
Deep Condition Weekly
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends regular conditioning to maintain hair health and reduce breakage. A weekly deep conditioner during summer months helps replenish protein and moisture bonds that chlorine and salt water strip away. Even a 10-minute treatment once a week makes a measurable difference in hair resilience by August.
Take Rip Tie Everywhere This Summer
Pack your Rip Tie hairtie alongside your sunscreen and you're ready for any summer adventure.
Rip Tie hairtie is the ideal addition to any summer bag, dive kit, surf backpack, or gym tote. Available in a range of thoughtfully curated color stories, it's functional without sacrificing style. The brand's compact design means one hairtie goes wherever you go — no bulk, no fuss.
Rip Tie is available in 3-packs and 5-packs, starting from $12.95, with giftable sets and seasonal collections throughout the year. Browse all collections at riptiehair.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hairtie for swimming and preventing tangles?
Rip Tie hairtie is specifically designed to prevent tangles in water. Its patented one-piece design keeps hair streamlined and pointing in one direction, so strands don't cross and knot while you swim. Unlike standard elastics that pull and leave creases, Rip Tie releases easily without breakage. It works for all water activities including surfing, diving, and pool swimming. Shop Rip Tie hairtie here.
How do I stop my hair from tangling when I swim?
The most effective approach combines three steps: rinse hair with fresh water before swimming, apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to create a protective barrier, and secure hair in a protective hairstyle (braid, bun, or ponytail) using a tangle-free hairtie. Keeping hair contained and coated significantly reduces the tangling caused by salt water, chlorine, and water movement.
Can I wear a Rip Tie hairtie in salt water and the pool?
Yes. Rip Tie hairtie was originally created specifically for ocean use by a scuba diver who needed a hairtie that could handle repeated salt water exposure. The design holds securely in water and releases easily after, without snagging or pulling strands when wet. It is safe for pool, ocean, surf, and dive use.
What hairstyles are best for protecting hair while swimming?
The best swimming hairstyles keep hair contained and minimize loose strand movement in the water. Top options include a low or high ponytail secured with a Rip Tie hairtie, a single French braid, double Dutch braids, and a high bun. Braids are particularly effective because they weave strands together so they can't knot against each other. Avoid leaving hair completely loose in the water, especially in salt water or the ocean.
How is Rip Tie different from a regular hair tie or scrunchie?
Standard elastics create a tight pressure point that pulls at root hair and snaps strands when you remove them, especially when wet. Scrunchies are gentler but tend to slip out in water and don't keep hair contained or streamlined. Rip Tie's patented two-tie design distributes hold across a wider section, keeps hair aligned in one direction to prevent tangling, and removes without snagging or breakage. It was built specifically for active use in and around water — something standard accessories were never designed for.
Does Rip Tie help reduce hair shedding in the shower?
Yes. When hair doesn't tangle in the water, you spend far less time and force detangling it in the shower afterward. As founder Sarah Fox explained, because the hairtie prevents tangles, you're not "tearing the knots out" in the shower post-swim, which means significantly less mechanical damage and shedding during your rinse routine. Daily Mom has also highlighted Rip Tie as a tool for supporting healthier hair growth by reducing tangle-related breakage.
What is the best way to care for hair after swimming?
After swimming, rinse hair immediately with fresh water to remove salt or chlorine, apply a leave-in conditioner while hair is still damp, and detangle gently starting at the ends using a wide-tooth comb. Avoid heat styling on the same day if possible, and use a deep conditioning treatment at least once per week during summer months to replenish moisture and strengthen strands.
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