Everywhere there are avid swimmers, a swim cap is a must-have. Wearing a swim cap will keep your hair out of your face and away from your ears, protect it from chlorinated water, and keep it out of your face whether you’re a competitive swimmer or just a more casual athlete. It can be somewhat challenging because caps are frequently made from sticky materials, such as silicone or latex, which easily adhere to dry hair.

How To Properly Wear A Swim Cap

The middle of a new swim cap will typically have a crease from the packaging when you buy one. When you put on a swim cap correctly, that crease should be in the middle of your head, running straight through the middle from front to back. (On your head, picture that lines pointing in the same general direction as a shark fin.)

More drag will be produced in the water if you put on the cap with the crease running horizontally across your head from ear to ear. Make sure to align the cap properly when putting it on because one of the advantages of a swim cap is that it reduces resistance when you swim.

Additionally, make sure the cap is positioned so that it rests on the middle of the forehead rather than the hairline. This will make it more likely that the cap will stay on as you swim and dive into the pool.

1. Dry Hair Is A No Go

Swim caps are made of materials that slide more easily on wet surfaces, as you are already aware. It is understandable that trying to put a cap on without some prior lubing up is a bad idea because these materials are typically either latex or silicone. If you’re wondering how to put on a swim cap with dry hair, the best solution is to just not try because you’ll end up ripping out a lot of hair strands, which is painful and, to be honest, unnecessary. Instead, wet your hair slightly beforehand so you can start slowly.
Some cap materials, most notably latex, adhere to dry hair strands. Swimmers frequently wet their hair before attempting to put on a cap. Some people add a tiny bit of conditioner to their hair care routine for the added benefit of giving their hair some protection. Depending on the material used to make the cap, some swimmers may even get the cap itself wet.

2. Put It Up In A Bun

The main component of your swim cap, which is hair, is also the one that is most likely to cause problems when it’s time for you to put it on. Prior to attempting to slide the swimming cap down someone’s head who has longer hair, usually a woman, it is a very good idea to tie it in some way. Randomly trying to cram every hair strand into the cap results in a bit of a mess and is just plain ineffective. No matter how it’s styled—braided, twisted, or just put up in a bun—as long as it’s neatly tied and there are no stray strands trying to sneak out, everything should be fine.

If your hair is long enough to need some sort of restraint, your only real concern should be to avoid using bobby pins or other sharp objects. Be careful because these could easily cause your cap to rip.

3. Stretch It Good, Stretch It Wide

As soon as the necessary preparations are completed, it’s time to learn how to put a swimming cap on. The first thing you want to do is make sure you stretch it as far as you can without letting it become too tattered.

Pull both sides apart as far as you can while staying within reason using the backs of your hands. if you’re looking to get a better sense of what you’re doing, you can always stand in front of a mirror, and make sure that you undergo this stretching process the right way.

Additionally, pull with the cap on and your hands on top of your head rather than at eye or chest level. This will allow you to compare the cap’s size as you stretch it and determine whether it is wide enough to pass comfortably through your head without leaving any hair behind.

4. Slide Through

Your cap is now ready to be slid down your head after being stretched out considerably. The previous preparations, especially wetting and conditioning your hair, should have made this relatively easy. You can easily determine whether or not this works for you by bending over as some people find this to be helpful when it comes to getting the cap through their head.

Regardless of the position you select, you must move the swimming cap toward your head and ensure that the inside front does so. Take it back until it completely encloses your head, and then bring it all the way down in one quick, swift motion. Get your hands out from behind you and look closely at your fingernails. Long fingernails are not recommended because they can make the process more difficult. The chances of something going wrong here are higher, so you might need to remove the cap and start over. But don’t worry; having it placed properly and neatly is preferable to getting in the water and experiencing discomfort while swimming.

How To Secure Your Hair Under A Swim Cap

Put your long hair up in a ponytail. If your hair is long enough to peek out from under the cap even when it is pulled back into a ponytail, secure it tightly into a bun that sits high on your head rather than just above your neck.

Put your hair in a bun or a ponytail and lightly mist it. If your hair is wet, it will slide on the cap’s material more easily. The cap may painfully pull or tug at hair strands if it is dry.

Tip: When you take off your swim cap, baby powder can help prevent pulling on your hair and make it easier to put on.

Why Swim Caps?

Do you have second thoughts about giving your child a swim cap? Swim caps are useful for a variety of reasons:

• Protect against the damaging effects chlorine, salt, and sun can have on your child’s hair, such as drying it out or causing tangles
• Assist your child in keeping their goggles on their head without endangering their hair by holding them in place.
• Swim caps can help your child’s hair stay contained while competing, resulting in a more streamlined form and reducing drag.

Conclusion

Goggles can be worn over the swim cap as well, although competitive swimmers often put them on first to further reduce drag and keep them in place. Pick whichever option makes you more comfortable.