Swimming Pool Chlorine and Your Hair

 

Imagine your hair as a sponge absorbing water. Before you get in the pool, wet your hair with fresh water. With non-chlorinated water on board, your hair won't be able to soak-up as much chlorine while you swim. And always rinse your hair with clean water after swimming; chlorine in pools not only dries-out your hair, but will fade the colour too.

The chemicals used by public swimming pools are used to kill bacteria that can breed in the water and cause illness. These same chemicals, cause the hair to dry out and give your crowning glory a frazzled appearance. If you have colored, or bleached, hair, the chemicals can discolor the hair, turning it green.

Chlorine in swimming pools can cause sebum - oil that lubricates your hair shaft - to start building up in your hair follicles. As time passes follicles can become blocked, creating further hair damage. After Swimming use a good 'clarifying' shampoo. The main ingredient to look for is EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid). It's like a chemical claw, removing chlorine from your hair.

Baking soda is a wonderfully inexpensive home remedy. Shampoo as usual, but add ¼ cup baking soda to your shampoo. Using this mixture once a week can remove water impurities and lighten your hair. Also consider mixing baking soda with hair conditioner in your hand to condition the ends of your hair. It'll give your hair more volume, body and health.

Take simple steps to protect your hair when taking a swim in a swimming pool.

Wet hair with tap water before going into the swimming pool. Soak the hair in the shower before entering the pool. Hair that is already saturated with water is less likely to absorb the swimming pool chemicals.

Tie hair up. If your hair is long enough, pull it into a ponytail on top of your head and secure the ends under the rubber band. Unless you are going to submerge your head in the water, this helps to keep most of the hair dry. Tying up the hair also prevents the loose hair from floating into the pool and clogging the pool filter.

Wear a swimming cap. Some public swimming pools require a swimming cap, but many do not. The caps protect the pool and your hair. Swimming pool caps used to be gaudy, with colorful flowers and decorations pasted on them. Modern swimming pool caps are sleek looking and fit close to the head. Speedo makes swimming pool caps of silicone and latex. Silicone swimming caps protect the hair and allow your head to breathe.