Swimming cap is an irreplaceable accessory for swimming. In addition, it is also mandatory to swim in most indoor swimming pools. Although most people complain that it does not look nice, it is still an object that is primarily supposed to be functional.
Swimming cap
It can be said that the cap has two essential functions. Firstly, it protects the skin and hair from getting wet. Swimming pool water is either chlorinated or ozonized to make it hygienic, but it can dry out scalp and hair. That's why it's worth wearing a cap for your own protection. And secondly, for the protection of others. It turns out that there can be various impurities on the hair, e.g. hairspray, and these substances would spread in the pool without covering the hair with a cap and the water would quickly become dirty. It is also worth mentioning that for long hair wearers this is a safe swimming solution, because the hair will not get entangled in the shoulders or gather on the face, obscuring the view.
Is the cap always mandatory?
Here the answer can be found simply in the regulations of a particular swimming pool. However, in most indoor swimming pools, a cap is obligatory and must be worn. In the case of outdoor swimming pools, it is also most often a must-have accessory, but not necessary. In public baths or thermal baths you can very often use the water attractions without it. Also in water packages it is usually not required to have a cap, but it is worth to check the regulations or ask the staff on site.
It turns out that you can also find caps for the sauna, usually in the form of turbans. In an ordinary rubber cap it is not worth going into the sauna, because the heat will heat up and the hidden hair underneath will soak up under sweat anyway.
What kind of swimming cap?
The caps can be bought everywhere in the summer season, even in local supermarkets. However, the biggest choice is in sports shops. When buying a cap you have to pay attention to a few details. First of all, the material of the workmanship. Most often it is lycra and polyester, which provide hiding hair underneath it, but unfortunately, the hair is not protected from moisture, because such a material cap passes through. You can also find silicone and latex caps that protect your hair from water, but putting on and removing them can be uncomfortable because they often pull on your hair.
The size of the cap is also important, as it will be difficult to put on and take off too small, and too large will let the water go or even slip off. When measuring the cap, it should adhere perfectly to the skin, but do not squeeze and cover the entire head. For many people the appearance of the cap is also important. Here you can even dress up in colours, prints and even product brands.
