10 tips all frequent swimmers need

You could probably answer "You know you're a swimmer when…" with a million different responses. From the itchy skin to the green hair, aquatic athletes know the struggles related to being in chlorine all day, which is why they need special care and attention. Here are 10 tips to keep yourself smelling and looking good if you spend several hours a day in the water.

1. Enter the pool with wet hair
If your luscious locks turn an undesired hue of green after a swim, that has to change. According to Woman's Day, soaking your head before getting in the pool can help with this feat because your hair will absorb less chlorinated water if it's already wet. 

2. Drink plenty of water
Although you might be hesitant to chug a bottle of water before getting in a pool- you get the picture – it can be good for your skin. As Style Craze pointed out, hydration is the key to restoring the body's moisture. 

3. Keep the pool clean
Style Craze also stressed the importance of keeping the water clean. If you practice at your personal pool, then you'll need to balance the chemicals and clean the water more often. Call Fort Worth, San Diego or Phoenix pool service professionals if you're in the market for some assistance.

4. Get a salt system
Of course, you could always do away with the hassles associated with chlorine altogether by switching to a salt system generator. It has significantly lower levels of chlorine, and can leave your skin and hair feeling and looking good.

5. Don't ring out your swimsuit
The Huffington Post explained that wringing out a bathing suit after a swim can damage the fibers and wear it out faster. Instead, try laying your bikini, trunks or one-piece on a towel or toss it over the top of the shower to drip dry. 

6. Wash swim attire with cold cycle
Avoid using hot water to clean your gear. It's no secret that warmer temperatures can shrink your clothing once you put it in the dryer, but as the Post pointed out, hot water is bad for swimsuits in general. If you like to soak in the hot tub following a hard workout, reserve one swimsuit for the occasion. 

7. Blow dry your ears
This might sound silly, but you can gently blow dry your ears. It's to help prevent swimmer's ear, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anyone who spends a great deal of time in the water understands the pains that come along with the infection. Plus, swimmer's ear can keep you from practices and important meets. Use the dryer on low and cool settings so you don't burn yourself.

8. Don't swim in unchartered territory
It's a rush to go cliff diving, but it can also be dangerous. Not only do you put yourself at risk diving from high heights, but more so it's the dangers of unknown water that are concerning. If you don't know about the water, you might be unaware of high levels of bacteria, which can make you sick. The Mayo Clinic advised that people "swim wisely" to avoid such instances.

9. Spit out your gum
This may seem like a no-brainer, but when it comes to exercise, plenty of people will chew gum to continually quench their thirst. Swimming with anything in your mouth is a serious choking hazard. 

10. Remove your contacts
It might be a terrifying thought to swim without contact lenses, but what's even more scary is the infection that you can get from keeping them in while you're in the water.