Chlorine Damage to The Hair in Swimming Pools

If you’ve spent any time in the pool during summer or in previous years. You’ve almost certainly been accustomed to the pungent smell of chlorine on your clothing, skin, and hair. It is common practice to use chlorine in public swimming pools. To eradicate undesirable germs and protect swimmers from contracting infectious diseases or infections that the water may carry. But chlorine damage tothe hair?

Even though there isn’t enough chlorine in pools to cause irreversible damage. It could dry out your hair and make your skin red and itchy. Continue reading for helpful advice on avoiding or minimizing chlorine damage to the hair.

How Can Chlorine Affect Your Hair?

Your hair may become brittle and dry if you frequently wash it in chlorinated water, which may lead to breakage. Even while chlorine is present in the water that comes out of the faucet, there is typically not enough for it to be an issue when taking a shower. However, the higher amount found in swimming pools can have detrimental effects on your scalp and hair if exposed regularly.

What Happens to Your Hair When You Expose It to Chlorine

Chlorine strips the hair and scalp of their natural oils, essential to maintaining its smoothness and vitality, making them dry and making the hair prone to breakage. Chemical reactions in the hair caused by chlorine can also alter the hair’s natural color, weaken individual hair strands, and lead to split ends.

Chlorine must be present in swimming pools, yet, prolonged exposure to chlorine in these environments can be extremely damaging to healthy hair. In addition to irritating your scalp, chlorine is also responsible for causing your hair to:

• Break and crack
• Lose its natural moisture
• Alter the hue of the hair’s natural state
• Weaken, resulting from splitting ends

Infrequent swimmers are less likely to experience the negative effects of chlorinated water. For instance, swimming in a chlorinated pool once every year while on vacation will not significantly impact the state of your hair. It does not make a difference if you swim monthly or daily; those with particular hair types are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of chlorine than others. This comprises individuals that have:

• Hair with current damage
• Fine or thin hair
• Very thin and delicate hair
• Color-treated hair
• Chemical-treated hair
• Bleached hair
• Dry hair

You ought to understand how to protect the hair from the damage that chlorine can do, regardless of the natural hair color or the type of hair you have, if you swim regularly or daily.

Is The Damage Caused by Chlorine Irreversible?

The most typical type of damage that chlorine causes to hair is that it dries it out and makes it porous, both of which can result in discoloration. After each time you go swimming, make sure to give your hair a good scrub and rinse so that you can undo the damage.

After swimming, you should thoroughly cleanse your hair with a lot of shampoos to get rid of any chemicals, and then conclude your wash with a protein-rich conditioner to restore the natural moisture in the hair. Shampoos and conditioners formulated specifically for people with color-treated hair can help keep the hair from losing its color.

How To Prevent Chlorine Damage?

Here are some best recommendations for preventing damage to hair caused by chlorine. These suggestions ought to lessen the potentially harmful effects of chlorinated water:

Be Sure to Rinse and Wet Your Hair Prior To And After Swimming

The “rules” of the pool, expressed and unwritten, that keep everyone healthy and safe are collectively known as “lap swim etiquette.” For illustration purposes, the staff at the pool will insist that you take a shower before entering the water for a very good reason. This is important for keeping your hair from being damaged by chlorine and keeping the pool clean of debris and oils on your body.

Before jumping into the pool, soaking your hair in non-chlorinated or clean tap water can help reduce chlorine exposure to your hair. After swimming, you should always rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water to remove any chlorine or salt that may have accumulated. You can achieve a more thorough cleaning by using some clarifying shampoo on your hair.

Apply Natural Oils on Your Hair and Scalp

Leave-in chlorine protectants can be helpful if you swim often or if your hair is particularly vulnerable to the effects of chlorine. Natural oils, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, serve as a barrier that prevents harmful chemicals, such as chlorine and similar pool chemicals, from penetrating your hair follicles and becoming absorbed into the hair. Utilize a leave-in conditioner or a deep moisturizing mask for further defence.

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Use Swim Spray

Blonde swimmers who are especially concerned about the potential bleaching effects of chlorine can protect their hair with a swim spray designed to repel the chemical. This product is suitable for use with any hair.

Use Gentle Shampoos

Regardless of the texture of your hair, after swimming, you should always use a shampoo that is mild and free of sulphates and then follow it up with a conditioner.

Put On a Swimming Cap

A swim cap is a standard piece of equipment for competitive swimmers. It is important to wear it appropriately so that all of your hair is contained within it for maximum protection. Swimming caps are an excellent investment since they prevent chlorine from coming into contact with your hair. It is important to remember to put on your swim cap atop wet hair to make it simpler to pull it over your head. It’s also a good idea to pack a few extra swim caps if one gets damaged.

Make A Ponytail Out of Lengthy Hair

If you are not wearing a swim cap but have long hair, you should pull it back into a braid, ponytail, or bun before entering the water.

Conclusion

Be patient and consult a professional if necessary; restoring your gorgeous hair to its natural shine and volume could take some time, depending on the extent of the damage.