Whether you’ve been relaxing in the pool on vacation or swim regularly for exercise, you’ve probably noticed chlorine can quickly wreak havoc on your hair. Wearing a swim cap is the obvious solution to protect your strands from the summer sun and prevent chlorine-damaged hair.
Still, it’s not always feasible, especially if you’re trying to channel resort-chic versus competitive Olympian when it comes to your poolside vibe. Want to take a dip with minimal impact on your mane? We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to prevent swimmer’s hair and even fix chlorine-damaged hair, including:
What does chlorine do to hair?
In a swimming pool, chlorine does its job by keeping bacteria at bay. However, it can be rough on your hair. “Chlorine can strip your hair of its natural oils,” explains Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “This can result in your hair feeling dry and brittle.”
If you have light-colored hair, frequent pool swimming can even change its color. “Light hair darkening in chlorine is actually caused by a chemical reaction between chlorine and copper in pool water, which together form a film on hair that can look slightly green,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.
How to protect hair from chlorine damage
If you’re not able to wear a swimming cap, the next best thing you can do is to hit the locker room before the pool to wet your hair with tap water.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon, explains, “Your hair cuticles act a lot like a sponge, expanding when wet and shrinking when dry. Wetting your hair prior to getting in the pool will result in your hair soaking up less chlorine while you swim.”
To prevent chlorine damage and green hair from chlorine, you can also apply a hair protectant before you swim. Leonor Greyl Lait Luminescence Leave-In Conditioning, Heat Protecting & Detangling Spray is a detangling leave-in conditioner that you can spray onto locks before hitting the pool to help protect against the harsh effects of chlorine. Made with hibiscus flower extract and acacia blossoms, this hair treatment features a pleasant floral scent and leaves hair looking vibrant and glossy thanks to a blend of plant oils and hydrating glycerin.
Another effective option to tuck into your beach bag is Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine. It not only helps protect hair from chlorine but also helps guard strands against other environmental aggressors. This includes saltwater and sun, thanks to antioxidant-rich argan oil and wheat germ oil.
How to get chlorine out of hair and how to get green out of hair
If you’ve put in plenty of time at the pool and your locks are already showing the effects of chlorine in the form of discoloration and brittle or dry hair, we recommend these restorative shampoos.
Surface Purify Weekly Shampoo
With a clarifying formula designed for weekly use, this shampoo from Surface will deeply cleanse your hair to help remove chlorine, minerals and other build-up without damaging color or stripping your hair of much-needed moisture. If you are looking for how to fix chlorine-damaged hair, this is a great option for color-treated locks.
Pro-tip: Need to pack light on vacation? This shampoo also doubles as a body wash!
L'ANZA Healing ColorCare Clarifying Shampoo
If your hair is looking a little worse for wear after a few trips to the pool, this shampoo from L’ANZA will help you hit the reset button. It gently cleanses hair to remove build-up while simultaneously moisturizing hair with aloe vera and flower-based extracts. Designed for color-treated hair, this shampoo effortlessly cleanses while minimizing color loss.
It helps remove debris that causes green and orange tones without stripping away moisture. Keratin amino acids help strengthen and fortify strands for healthy, resilient hair all summer long.
Looking for that sun-kissed look minus the sun damage? You can check out the best sunless tanning lotions and protect your skin with the best daily body sunscreens.
About the Author
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
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