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Writer's pictureJax-Zen Healing Arts Center

What will floating do to my hair?



💦 Floating in 10 inches of water saturated with 900 pounds of pharmaceutical grade Epsom salt is great for rejuvenating the mind, body & spirit, but what will it do to my hair?


Can I float with treated hair or locs?


We've compiled the information below to make your float session an enjoyable experience without the worries of messing up your 'do.




Floating with Color treated hair

  • Semi- or demi- permanent hair color. Popular for fashion colors like pink, green, blue & bright red. This includes color-depositing conditioners. This type of color has larger dye molecules that don’t penetrate the entire hair shaft. They sit on the surface, which means they wash out more easily, especially during the first couple weeks after dyeing. Be sure to schedule your float session once the water runs clear when washing your hair and you can dry your hair with a towel and not see any color transfer.

  • Permanent hair color. This is the type you get a a professional salon. Because permanent hair dye completely penetrates the hair, it is more “float-friendly”. However, it is still a good idea to wait a few days so the dye has time to set in your hair.

  • Red hair dye of any type. Whether you opted for semi-permanent or permanent color, red hair dye is the exception to the rule. It’s a really fun color, but any type of red hair dye can leach color for weeks. So it’s best to delay floating for at least 30-days after dyeing your hair red.

  • Henna hair dye. Henna is a popular natural alternative to hair dye for people with dark brown hair. Unfortunately, henna and float tanks don’t play well together since the natural product doesn’t bind to the hair as well as conventional dyes. This mean that it may not only strip your hair color, but it may also stain the float tank liners.

  • Highlights. Highlights simply remove the color from your hair, and since we don’t use any chlorine in our tanks, you don’t have to worry about the water reacting with the bleach in your hair.

With any hair color, please test and ensure that your hair is not color when wet or washed before coming to float. If your hair has been recently colored and is leaking, we will not be able to host you within the float and cancellation fees may apply. Our waiver states that if we need to replace our water due to contamination, which includes dyes, you will be charged up to $1200. So, thank you for waiting to float.


The skinny on Keratin and Floating

  • Hair keratin treatment. Anyone using keratin treatments for their hair are told to avoid salt water; and yes, this includes Epsom salt. Most hair care professionals recommend you wait 4 weeks after getting the treatment before hopping into a float tank.

  • Keratin extensions need to be adjusted monthly, and generally last 6-12 weeks. The best practice would be to float right before you get a treatment done.

Can I float with locs?

Absolutely! In fact, locs love the salt. Most people with locs that go swimming at the beach say they notice an immediate difference with their hair. swimming in the ocean is actually really good for locs, because it dries them out, and it locks them up tighter.…..our clients with locs say the same thing about the float tank.


Here are a few tips for floating with locs:

  • Rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water before your float so your locs absorb less and make it easier to rinse after your session.

  • You should avoid floating if your hair contains any waxes, oils, or creams. Your pre-float shower is a great time to wash out any hair products that may contain oils.

  • You may want to tie your locks up in a bun during your float to prevent them from potentially brushing against you, causing distraction.

  • At the end of your float, sit up slowly as your locs may feel heavier than usual, then carefully wring out as much excess water as you can before exiting the float tank.

  • We can provide a microfiber head wrap in addition to your regular towels for use after your post-float shower (be sure to ask if we forget to offer one).

Should I Wear A Swim Cap?

This is a commonly asked question, but we haven’t found any swim cap that prevents water from getting in. Your hair will absolutely get wet, so if you just had your hair 'did', you may want to schedule your float right before your next visit to the salon.


We hope this clears things up a bit for you if you've been waiting to try floating because of hair worries. Let us know if you have any further questions.


Ready to give floating a try? Book a Float Session! 💦





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