Let’s face it: we women divers know that we aren’t going to look like Sports Illustrated models after a dive, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t look good doing it. When diving, saltwater wreaks havoc on our hair and our skin, leaving it brittle and dry.
Here’s a look at some scuba accessories that will give you the full princess treatment in true dive diva style!
For the Hair
Your tresses often suffer the most when you dive. The salt residue left on your locks after a dive depletes the hair’s natural moisture. Add blowing wind into the equation, resulting in split ends and brittle hair that feels like straw. You may want to try the Hair Glove if you’ve got long locks. This versatile ponytail wrap utilizes a flexible hook built into the hair glove that clips onto an ordinary ponytail elastic to keep the Hair Glove in place during multiple dives!
An absolute must for every female diver is a mask strap cover over the existing mask strap, which helps prevent hair tangles drastically. Available in either plain colors or even printed Seascape designs like those pictured here, they are made of durable neoprene rubber. They look great and are extremely comfortable and useful to secure a fit for your mask.
Protect that Skin!
It’s a given, but I’ll say it anyway: Sunblock, Sun protection, Sunscreen, whatever you want to call it, you need it! Don’t think you can go without for a second. The three things you should be looking for for the ultimate sun protection are something that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, is SPF 35 or more, and is waterproof! It would also help if it were light, non-greasy, and fragrance-free, which is suitable when you’re diving. Even if it’s waterproof, you must re-apply after a dive for the best results.
Another way of keeping the sun away or protecting your skin from it is wearing a skin guard, also known as a rash guard. For this, you can opt for a regular shirt, which will protect the upper half of your body or a full-length jumpsuit that offers full protection and can even be used as a thin wetsuit. These special skin guards nowadays are treated with a special UV coating, and the Rash Guards offer SPF 200+ protection from the sun’s harmful rays. A great accessory to have not just for scuba diving to wear under wetsuits but even as beach wear, surf wear, workout clothes, or just as a regular shirt.
Eliminate that Neoprene Stink!
Neoprene gets stinky from bacteria that grow on it when it gets wet. “Sink The Stink” is a solution that you soak your gear in after using it, then air dry it, and it kills the bacteria. No more stinky gear! Stink Guards are the most effective method of odor control in neoprene wetsuits and drysuits.
