In religions like the Muslim and Judeo-Christian faiths, headscarves are commonly worn. Orthodox Jewish women also wore headscarves to conceal their hair as a symbol of modesty.
Wearing a headscarf was considered conventional for Christian women throughout Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean before the 18th century. It is still practiced in various Christian denominations today. Sikh women and men both wear a headscarf before donning the turban.
However, there are several types of headscarves worn. Aside from religious and cultural practices, headscarves are also worn by individuals with diverse hair types and textures who are more prone to hair damage due to their brittle, naturally drier qualities.
Fortunately, whether you’re wearing a headscarf for modesty or haircare, swimming is now an activity you can perform without having to remove it, thanks to the development of innovative waterproof headscarves.
So, to address the question, can you swim while wearing a swim headscarf? You certainly can. And in this article, we’ll show you a variety of waterproof headscarves that you might be interested in.
Waterproof Scarves for Women
As per the USA Swimming Foundation, around 64% of black children have limited or no swimming ability. While this statistic reinforces prejudices about swimming and black people, there are other causes for this skill disadvantage, including Jim Crow-era racial segregation.
Even when swimming pools are available, hair is a detractor. While swim caps are an alternative for some, most do not support Afro texture hair, which is typically too thick for the cap that does not provide adequate protection.
Danielle Obe, 38, of London, wanted to find a way to inspire her daughter to study how to swim. Kayla, six, began to dread coming to the pool because of her hair; Obe had given up swimming for more than two decades because she did not want to risk harming her delicate coils and was exhausted from the time-consuming process when it came to her hair.
The chlorine dries out the hair, making it brittle, frizzy, and ‘thirsty,’ which causes thinning, breakage, and—in some cases for women with treated, sensitive hair—hair loss if the hair is not adequately conditioned, rinsed out, and rehydrated. Getting involved in any form of aquatic activity was a big no-no back then.
Because of this recurring issue, she developed waterproof headscarves made explicitly for black women’s hair.
Afro texture hair is more brittle than other forms of hair, and it is especially prone to the chemicals in chlorine present in swimming pools, which causes hair to dry out. The time it takes to replace moisture after swimming and styling might be particularly discouraging for black women who want to swim frequently.
Obe and her child decided to try various swim caps, but none worked. She was inspired to produce her design through trial and error.
Obe created her swim caps, inspired by ancient Egyptian designs, to protect various hair types when swimming. Her entire family now makes use of them. She also founded the Black Swimming Association in collaboration with Swim England, following a recent Sport England survey that revealed that 80 percent of black children and 95 percent of black adults in the United Kingdom do not swim.
She began sharing the design with others after she finished it. Obe’s goal was to encourage more people to swim, but they’ve discovered that many people use them in the shower or rehydrate their hair. The waterproof scarves or Nemes are created for Afro-Caribbean hairstyles and hair and can be worn by everybody, not only BAME (black, Asian, and minority ethnic) individuals, to swim, spa or shower, steam, and preserve color-treated hair in chlorine, so hair color lasts longer.
Swim Hijab for Women
The swim hijab is made of a lightweight stretch fabric that dries quickly. With an effortless pullover style, this ideally keeps the hijab in place when swimming, making it perfect for hijab-wearing ladies. It provides secure complete coverage for your neck and head, with a modest extension at the front and rear so you may tuck it into your swimwear.
This swimwear is wholly lined and constructed of a high-quality, quick-drying, chlorine-resistant fabric. With UPF 50+ UV protection, this swimsuit is excellent for pool or beach usage.
Swim Scarf Hat for Women
The women’s summer scarf hat is a stylish method to keep your ears, head, and face protected while near and on the water. An adjustable scarf allows you to style your UPF 50+ swimming cap in various ways, from kayaking around the lake to monitoring pool parties.
Swim Scarf for Women
Every outdoor activity should be sun-safe and accessible to everyone. UPF 50+ materials are the finest choice for shielding your neck, scalp, and hair from the sun’s rays. The women’s swim scarf was created to assist women who wish to maintain an active, modest lifestyle while protecting their hair.
This chlorine- and saltwater-resistant swim scarf is lightweight, dries quickly, breathable, and is made to stay in place as you enjoy being on, in, or near the water. The rectangular swim scarf can also be used as a headband.
Many individuals and cultures worldwide consider head wraps to be culturally significant. They’ll be seen on special occasions, in rites, and even as regular wear. Many women use headwraps because they are among the most adaptable, practical, and functional accessories.
Dealing with hair loss because of health challenges; protecting hair from harsh climates and weather; keeping hair out of the face while working out, chores, gardening, traveling, etc.; disguising a bad hair day; mourning; saving a blowout or any other new hairdo; keeping a protective style fresh, and protecting her hair while sleeping are all scenarios in which a woman might reach for a head wrap.
Some people even use head wraps to make a big statement, brighten their day, and transform their appearance from drab to fab, or simply because they want to. The main point is that wearing a head wrap is a matter of personal preference.
With waterproof headscarves, these women can swim without sacrificing anything, no matter why they’re wearing them.
Other than waterproof headscarves, there are different headscarves for the beach and pool that you can use with different ways to tie them.