Summertime is supposed to be a time for fun and games, especially outdoor activities such as swimming. But there’s nothing fun about jumping into the pool and then coming away with dry, damaged hair — or even a new, unwanted green tint that makes you look like the Joker. The culprit behind these hair problems is a chemical known as chlorine. Let’s look at how this common disinfectant can harm hair, and what you can do to keep your hair healthy without giving up your pool time.
What Chlorine Does to Hair
Chlorine is effective at keeping pools clean because it eliminates bacteria, dirt and oils from water. Unfortunately, your hair depends on a naturally-occurring oil called sebum to keep itself soft, healthy and lustrous. Chlorine strips the sebum off of your hair, leaving it dry and vulnerable to damage. Repeated exposure to chlorine can make your hair brittle and stiff, with split ends and other kinds of breakage.
Chlorine also makes hair follicles more porous, which opens the door to another problem: discoloration. Pool water often contains copper, especially if it has been treated with algaecide that contains this element. Chlorine oxidizes copper, freeing it to bind to hair. In blonde or light-colored hair, the result can be a greenish tint.
Repairing the Damage
If your hair is currently suffering from the after-effects of too much chlorine exposure, rest assured that there are steps you can take rehabilitate it. Ask your hairstylist about specific products that can correct or reduce the damage. Your home care options may include apple cider vinegar, protein treatments, and clarifying shampoo (or even plain old baking soda). In the worst-case scenario, you can always cut the damaged hair off and allow healthy new hair to take its place.
Preventing Future Harm to Your Hair
Prevention is the easiest, healthiest strategy for dealing with pool chlorine and its effects on hair. Rinse your hair in non-chlorinated water before you hit the pool; this will add an extra degree of protection. Better yet, wear a swim cap to keep the chlorine away from your hair. To eliminate the worry about green discoloration, try switching to an algaecide that will keep your pool water clean without adding copper to it.
You don’t have to avoid that dip in the pool — or avoid being seen in public — this summer. Play it smart in your attitude toward chlorine, and you can enjoy all your usual summertime fun!
At Genesis II, we have helped thousands of men and women with hair loss prevention. To schedule a free consultation call us at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: TaniaVdB Via Pixabay
