By Carey
Diving is a fantastic hobby. Not only can you enjoy the great outdoors, but it’s also a fun way to get some exercise. However, this activity comes with certain risks for your skin and hair because you’re exposed to the sun for a long period of time. On top of that, saltwater can contribute to dehydration that may subsequently damage your skin and hair. Though you should definitely be careful, there are plenty of practical things you can do to reduce your risks. Check out these tips on how to protect your skin and hair while diving.
- Prepare Yourself Before Your Dive
Before you go out for a day of diving, you can take some steps to protect your skin and hair. Thirty minutes prior to getting on the boat, you should apply SPF 35+ reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone and octinoxate free) on your neck, ear, and face. It’s important to use products that are eco-friendly and help out with marine conservation. According to experts, chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate can lead to coral bleaching and are just as harmful to coral reefs as the effects of climate change. In fact, every year a whopping 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in our oceans. We should all do our part to protect our beautiful coral reefs so future generations can also enjoy the great outdoors. You can find sustainable products at a drugstore or supermarket. Make sure to check a product’s label for any ingredients that may harm the environment.
In addition to applying sunscreen, you should use hats and shirts to cover yourself when you’re not in the water. To prevent your hair from getting tangled and dry, you can coat it with coconut oil. Not only does it do a great job at protecting your hair, coconut oil has a minimal environmental impact. At the start of your day, you can braid or tie your hair. When styling your hair, leave some room for your mask strap so you can conveniently take it on and off throughout the day.
- Protect Yourself On The Boat
In addition to taking preemptive measures, there are things you can do while you’re on the boat to protect your skin and hair. Before exposing your hair to saltwater, you can wet it with fresh water so it doesn’t become brittle. Bring a Nalgene or a bottle of water with you on your trip. Over the course of the day, you should reapply your sunscreen between dives. During your downtime, try your best to sit in the shade to reduce your overall exposure to the sun. You can bring your Nalgene, hat, and sunscreen in a small duffle bag or backpack with you. If you’re worried about losing any items, pack extra products just in case.
- What You Can Do To Protect Yourself After Diving
Following a long day of diving, you may feel tempted to go jump in the hotel pool or take a relaxing nap on the beach. However, what you do following a dive is crucial to protecting your skin and hair from damage. When you’re back on the shore, you should thoroughly clean and dry yourself so you don’t accumulate a lot of bacteria on your skin. If you have chapped lips, you should apply SPF lip balm to prevent further damage. Your skin may also be dehydrated. After cleaning and drying yourself, you should moisturize and apply any serums or acne treatments that can help repair your skin. Sometimes, we forget to reapply sunscreen and subsequently get a sunburn. If this happens, apply some aloe vera on your burns.
Protect Yourself And Protect Nature
With the right tips and products, you can enjoy diving while also protecting your skin and hair. The key is to have a game plan that covers what you’re going to do before and after your day of diving. Doing something as simple as thoroughly washing with water can go a long way. It’s important to remember that there are ways to protect your body that also protect the ocean. When preparing for your big trip, take some time to research products that are eco-friendly and prioritize remedies with natural ingredients like aloe vera. Whether it’s sunscreen or hair oil, there are products out there that do minimal harm to the environment. We hope you enjoy this wonderful adventure!
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media