Is Salt Water Beneficial for Hair?

While swimming in the sea can definitely make your hair look effortlessly beautiful (they’re called beach waves for a reason), is salt water actually good for your hair? Or should you be rinsing it out as soon as you leave the beach? In this article, we’ll explain the benefits and drawbacks of using salt water in your hair (plus, how to prevent hair damage in the long run). Let’s dive in!

Things You Should Know

• Salt water can be good for your hair. It removes excess oils and naturally exfoliates the scalp.
• However, too much salt water can damage your hair. Salt draws moisture away from your hair, so try to limit your seawater exposure to 1-2 times a week.
• If you swim in salt water more than 1-2 times a week, protect your hair by pre-soaking it in fresh water and coating it with a reef-friendly hair oil.

Benefits of Salt Water For Your Hair

Provides nutrients to the hair. Salt water contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, which are known to make your strands stronger and shinier. Rinsing your hair with salt water also reduces the level of harmful elements like mercury, promoting a healthier hair environment overall. [1]

Removes excess oil and sebum. Some people claim salt water works as a natural clarifying shampoo because it can regulate oil production in the hair and scalp. It’s a particularly good treatment if you have greasy hair because it may strip away excess oil and product buildup, detoxifying your hair and leaving your strands smoother.[2]

Minimizes fungal dandruff. Salt water has antifungal properties, so some people have found that it prevents pesky flakes from fungus-induced dandruff. It works by absorbing excess moisture and oil on your scalp, which eliminates the environment fungi need to survive.[3]

Soothes the scalp. Salt water also has antibacterial properties, which can help treat scalp conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Salt is naturally anti-inflammatory and antioxidative, so it works to repair your skin barrier and retain moisture in your scalp.[5]

Exfoliates the scalp. Salt is one of the most popular ingredients in scalp and body exfoliators because it instantly removes dead skin cells. Because it’s a physical exfoliant, the salt crystals in seawater may remove product build up at your roots, alleviate itchiness on your scalp, and get rid of any flakes or dandruff.[7]

May stimulate hair growth. Since salt water acts as a natural exfoliant, massaging it into the scalp is believed by some to increase blood flow and circulation. This promotes more oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicle, which may encourage faster hair growth and fuller-looking
strands.[8]

• In fact, regular scalp massages can reduce hair shedding and minimize certain yeasts that damage your hair follicles.[9]
• Boosts hair volume. When you soak your hair in salt water, the salt swells the hair shaft and cuticle, making your hair appear more voluminous and textured. Too much swelling can create excess tangles, but just the right amount gives you an effortless beachy look.[10]