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Why do Olympic artistic swimmers put gelatin in their hair?

The well-known method in the artistic swimming community used to keep swimmers hair waterproof and in place while they compete.
New-look artistic swimming team competition kicks off with United States eyeing podium

PARIS, France — The 2024 Paris Olympics are well underway and as we head into the artistic swimming portion of the games many people may be wondering -- What is in their hair? 

Viewers might have noticed many artistic swimmers in the Olympics have a hard, shiny, shell-like cap on their hair while competing. 

In a TikTok posted by the 'NBC Olympics & Paralympics' page they show artistic swimmer Daniella Ramirez of Team USA with the caption "Do My Knox With Me". 

@nbcolympics

Replying to @Mina Preston How an artistic swimmer does their hair for a competition. (🎥 @Daniella Ramirez) #artisticswimming #hair #grwm

♬ original sound - NBC Olympics & Paralympics

So, what exactly is Knox? Well its actually a brand name of gelatin similar to JELL-O. In another TikTok video, Ramirez shows viewers how to mix up the gelatin before a competition. 

Here's how she make her hair "gel".

Ramirez begins by boiling water, mixes 4-packs of the powder into the water, and slathers it onto her head. 

The purpose of the hard shell-like cap, according to synchrobelles.com, is to create a waterproof hairstyle that will stay in place. Synchro Belles is an organization in Palm Coast Florida dedicated to those who do artistic swimming. 

@annadramirez

What is knox? how do you make it? VOILA! #artisticswimming #synchronizedswimming #teamusa #olympics #gel #gelatin #gelatina #knox #knoxgelatin #knoxwithme

♬ original sound - Daniella Ramirez

Ramirez even goes on to show those interested on how she gets the gelatin out of her hair at the end of a competition day. Watch below for more. 

@annadramirez

Hair was done before warm up and this is post swim and awards…I dont know how it was this perfect at the end of the day. #artisticswimming #swimming #swimmer #grwm #unreadywithme #swimmingpool #teamusa #artisticswimmer #curls #curly

♬ original sound - Daniella Ramirez

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