I enrolled my daughter in YMCA swimming camp for 10 weeks this summer, and as much as she enjoys it, her hair does not. They swim twice a day for and hour and half each time. They aren’t allowed to wash their hair afterwards, just a quick rinse off in the shower. Her hair now feels like straw. Sometimes I think it might just break in half if she bent it. She has the most beautiful hair, long, straight, and shiny with lots of natural blonde highlights. (Her hair is medium brown) There are days when I can’t even get a brush through it. I have looked around for a good swimmers shampoo and I had found Loreal Swim and Sport Shampoo. Now recently having done a review on Loreal, I raved about their hair care products, but this one leaves something to be desired. Even after 2 washings the chlorine and most of all the smell was still in her hair.

So back to the store I go. I went to several stores until I found Ultra Swim shampoo and conditioner at my local Kroger Store. The products are made by Chattem Company. I thought I had never heard of them until I visited their website and this company was founded in 1879 as the Chattanooga Medicine Company. Some of their other products include: Aspercreme, Flexall, Garlique, Gold Bond, Pamprin, Sun-In, Phisoderm, Dexatrim, and Icy Hot. I just never had heard of Chattem Co.
So I looked up UltraSwim and this is what it says:

“Ultraswim is a patented chlorine removal formula that transforms damaging chlorine into chloride that is then easily rinsed from the hair and skin. Ultraswim Shampoo Plus removes chlorine and chlorine odor in addition to other harmful elements such as oxidized metal which can lead to discolored or green hair. Ultraswim Shampoo Plus also contains special moisturizing conditioners to revitalize the hair and antioxidants and Vitamin E to insure your hair is soft, shiny, and healthy looking.” (Reference from www.chattem.com)

The shampoo itself has a nice clean fragrance. It is very watery shampoo, and when I first poured it in my hand I didn’t think it was going to work. It lathers up very nicely and after I rinsed her hair I noticed a difference right away. Her hair was silky smooth again and that awful chlorine smell was gone. Her hair still is a bit dry, but I attest that to swimming every day. Once school starts I’m sure it will go back to normal. UltraSwim also makes a body wash for swimmers as chlorine can be very drying to your skin, but we haven’t tried that. I bought the shampoo and conditioner for $3.59 each. The conditioner left her hair very silky and I could actually get a comb through it! I recommend this shampoo and conditioner to anyone who swims frequently, it’s inexpensive and does the job it says it will do.

Here a couple of other tips I have learned to protect your hair from chlorine. Your hair is somewhat absorbent so wet your hair before getting in and this should help your hair from absorbing more chlorine. Also spray a leave in conditioner in for a helpful coating for protection. If possible, wash hair immediately after swimming, or at the very least rinse for 1 full minute. I have also heard another way to remove chlorine is to put equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda with the shampoo you’re using to wash your hair, although I have never tried this personally. So if you are a swimmer or know of one, use these tips and UltraSwim shampoo and conditioner for manageable hair.

On a personal note: I'd like to say thanks to Suzer for pointing this category out to me, I never knew this was here. Thanks Suzi!

Recommended: Yes