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Prepare your hair for swimming

Before a pool or open-water swim, wet loose hair with fresh water and put it under a swim cap that has enough room. The cap keeps hair contained but is not guaranteed to keep it dry.

The same woman adjusts the lower edges of a turquoise swim cap with her fingertips after covering her hair.

Step by step

  1. A woman wets her loose curly hair under a fresh-water shower before putting on a swim cap.
    STEP 1 OF 4

    Wet your hair with fresh water

    • Remove clips, pins and sharp jewelry. Place the open swim cap within reach, with a soft hair tie on your wrist if the gather may need a temporary hold.
    • Under a shower or tap, wet the crown, sides, nape and lengths with fresh water.
    • Lift loose hair with one hand so water reaches underneath. You do not need a pre-swim product for this method.
  2. The same woman uses both hands to gather her wet curls broadly near the crown without a tie or pin.
    STEP 2 OF 4

    Make a broad, loose shape

    • Bring longer hair up toward the crown with both hands, keeping the roots relaxed.
    • Fold or coil the lengths broadly against the head instead of making a tight knot or a bulky bump at the nape.
    • If the hair will not stay while you reach for the cap, use one relaxed pass of a soft tie. If it still will not fit, choose a cap with more room rather than forcing it.
  3. The same woman adjusts the lower edges of a turquoise swim cap with her fingertips after covering her hair.
    STEP 3 OF 4

    Put on the cap and check the fit

    • Place both hands inside the opening and stretch it wide enough to clear the gathered hair.
    • Set the front edge at your hairline, then guide the cap back and down with your finger pads.
    • Smooth the edges and tuck only reachable loose strands. The cap should stay in place without painful pressure, root pulling or a headache.

    Some water can still enter around the edges. Fit means secure and comfortable, not waterproof.

  4. After swimming, the same woman lifts the opening of the wet swim cap up and away while her damp curls release.
    STEP 4 OF 4

    Ease the cap off after the swim

    • Once you are out of the water, lift a reachable lower edge away from the hair with your finger pads.
    • Use both hands to raise the opening up and clear of the hair without dragging it. Free any caught strands instead of pulling.
    • Release the hair and remove any temporary tie, then rinse your hair promptly with fresh water. Rinse the cap as directed; let it dry before storing it.

About 3–6 min hands-on for fresh-water wetting, loosely gathering, fitting the cap, then removing it and rinsing after the swim. The swim, cap drying and later shampoo-and-condition wash are separate.

Practical editorial estimate, not measured. Includes cap removal and the fresh-water rinse; dense hair or a first cap fitting can take longer.

You’re done when…

Before the swim, wet hair sits inside a cap that stays in place without painful pressure or pulling. After the swim, the cap and any temporary tie are removed without yanking, and the hair is ready for a fresh-water rinse.