Let’s Talk About “Blue Lagoon Hair”

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably seen the recent viral videos of people sharing how the Blue Lagoon in Iceland “ruined” their hair. While “ruined” is a strong word, the water in the Blue Lagoon can definitely make your hair dry and brittle (thankfully only for a few days). But why?

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The reason why the Blue Lagoon in Iceland makes your hair dry is the same reason why the water is so blue. It’s all about a little element called silica.

Let’s dive in!

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What is the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon is a man-made geothermal pool in Southwest Iceland. It is best known for its milky blue water, and in 2012 was chosen as one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World! The water ranges from 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit, so it makes sense why it’s one of the most visited places in Iceland (which if you don’t know, can get quite cold)! 

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is located in Southwest Iceland. It is only 12 miles from the international airport (Keflavík). The main ways to get to the Blue Lagoon are by car or by bus. The Blue Lagoon actually has its own bus fleet which transports guests from the airport or Reykjavik city center.

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How much time to spend at the Blue Lagoon

From the time you walk in the door to the time you walk out, I recommend spending 3 hours at the Blue Lagoon. This gives you enough time to check in, change into your bathing suit, and shower before getting into the water without having to rush.

The lagoon itself is quite large and there are a lot of areas to swim around, explore, and of course, relax.. There is also a face mask bar and a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Of course, you also need to reserve some time to take pictures and videos! Once you enter the Blue Lagoon, your ticket is valid for the entire day, so stay as long as you wish.

How to get tickets for the Blue Lagoon

Pre-booking tickets for the Blue Lagoon is essential. Technically, it’s possible to get in without a pre-booked ticket, but you may have to wait hours, and probably won’t get in at all. When you buy a ticket, you also reserve a time when you will arrive at the Blue Lagoon. 

There are multiple different packages and extras to choose from, some that include hotels and the Blue Lagoon’s fancy retreat spa. But if you just want the OG Blue Lagoon experience, they cost about $60-70 and you can book tickets on the Blue Lagoon’s website or through a third party like GetYourGuide. The good thing about booking through a third party is that you can buy an experience that also includes bus transfers! 

Why the water is so blue

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland consists of wastewater from a nearby geothermal power plant. But don’t let this put you off! This just means that the water has already been used for energy and heating. Over 70% of the energy used in Iceland comes from geothermal sources, and once the hot water is used to produce electricity, it is no longer needed. 

Despite being considered wastewater, the water in the Blue Lagoon is completely safe and full of incredible minerals, and renews itself every 40 hours. It doesn’t contain chlorine or other cleaning chemicals, which is why it’s really important to take a naked shower before entering the water, but it does contain many elements and minerals.

The most abundant element in the water is silica, which reflects visible light when it is suspended in water. When light rays come in contact with matter (in this case, silica), certain rays are absorbed while others are reflected. The color we see is what light rays the matter is reflecting. Basically, silica absorbs all colors except for blue, which it reflects!

What silica does to your hair (and skin)

Silica is actually very good for your skin. Guests at the Blue Lagoon are given a scoop of a face mask made out of silica, which helps strengthen the skin barrier. The milky-blue water has also been studied extensively and found to help with psoriasis, eczema, and acne! 

Now, let’s talk about hair. Silica is NOT harmful to hair, but it can leave hair dry and stiff for a few days. It actually provides benefits to the hair by providing nutrients to the hair follicles, which helps with strengthening, preventing thinning and hair loss, and promoting shine. There are actually many hair products that contain silica, although the levels in these products are lower than in the water at the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon actually sells hair products that contain silica. So, if your hair does end up getting a little bit wet, it’s not the end of the world! It may actually help your hair in the long run.

How to protect your hair in the Blue Lagoon

If you want to avoid “Blue Lagoon Hair,” the best way to protect your hair is to put it up high on your head and coat it in conditioner. Before you go into the lagoon, you have to take a fully naked shower, so that’s the perfect time to add some conditioner to your hair (which is provided). Don’t wash it out; leave it in your hair while you swim! This is not only allowed but recommended by the Blue Lagoon. Once you enter the Blue Lagoon, try to keep your head above water. Fair warning, your hair will get at least a little wet. Iceland is very windy so there is some splashing in the Blue Lagoon. Some areas can also be deeper than others.

After getting out of the water, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. It’s also a good idea to bring detangling spray or leave in conditioner to help brush through your hair when it’s wet. That night, sleep with an overnight moisturizing mask in your hair and wash it out in the morning!

Even if you do all this, your hair may still be affected by the Blue Lagoon. But it’s not something to stress over and definitely not a reason to avoid the Blue Lagoon all together. The Blue Lagoon is SO worth it!

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Have a great time at the Blue Lagoon! (And don’t forget the conditioner)!

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