Is Chlorine Bad for Your Hair? Tips to Prevent Damage from Pools

Is Chlorine Bad for Your Hair?

Swimming is one of the most popular and beneficial forms of exercise. However, spending time in chlorinated pools may have some downsides, particularly for your hair. Chlorine is added to pools to destroy germs and bacteria that can spread infections and disease. But this chemical can also have negative effects on your hair, leaving it dry, brittle and discolored.

How Does Chlorine Affect Hair?

When you swim in a chlorinated pool, your hair soaks up the chlorine along with the water. Over time, this can strip away your hair's natural oils and proteins. As a result, your hair may start to feel dry and look frizzy or tangled. The chlorine can also damage the cuticle, which is the protective outer layer of each hair strand. This leads to porous, fragile hair that is prone to breakage.

In addition, chlorine can interact with your hair's melanin, which gives it color. This can cause the pigment molecules to leave the hair shaft, resulting in fading or discoloration of dark hair. Blondes may also notice their hair color turning brassy or greenish after frequent swimming.

Factors that Increase Chlorine Damage

Several factors can influence how much damage chlorine causes to your hair:

• Hair type - Fine, curly, color-treated and chemically processed hair is most vulnerable to the effects of chlorine.
• Swimming frequency - Frequent swimmers experience more chlorine exposure and hair damage.
• Improper rinsing - Not rinsing out all the chlorine immediately after swimming allows it to remain on the hair and scalp.
• Heat styling - Excessive heat styling makes hair more prone to chlorine damage.
• No swim cap - Swim caps form a barrier between your hair and the chlorinated water.
• Pool and hot tub use - Spending time in both pools and hot tubs increases chlorine exposure.

5 Side Effects of Chlorine on Hair

Here are 5 of the most common ways that chlorine affects the hair:

1. Dry, Brittle Hair

One of the biggest complaints among frequent swimmers is dry, brittle hair. This is because chlorine strips away the oils that keep hair smooth and hydrated. Hair may feel rough and tangled after swimming. Over time, the lack of moisture causes hair to snap and break more easily.

2. Discoloration

As mentioned previously, chlorine can interact with melanin in hair, causing the color to fade or change tones. Brunettes may notice brassiness or red tints after swimming. Blondes can develop greenish undertones from the chlorine. The discoloration happens gradually with repeated exposure.

3. Frizz and Texture Changes

You may have noticed your straight hair suddenly gets wavy or curly after swimming, while curly hair loses its bounce and definition. This texture change occurs because chlorine damages the cuticle layer that protects each strand. With the cuticle raised and disrupted, hair becomes frizzy and unmanageable.

4. Itchy, Irritated Scalp

Some swimmers experience an itchy, irritated scalp after using chlorinated pools. This is your skin's inflammatory response to the drying effects of chlorine. People with sensitive skin are most prone to this problem. The itchiness is usually worst a day or two after swimming.

5. Green Hair

If blonde hair turns greenish, it's a sure sign of chlorine damage. This happens when chlorine binds to the copper in your hair. The green tint develops gradually with repeated swimming. It usually first appears in the more porous ends then progresses up the hair shaft. This problem is more common with bottle blondes.

Can Chlorine Permanently Damage Hair?

With repeated exposure to chlorine over many years, some swimmers may experience permanent changes to their hair's texture, curl pattern or color. However, stopping swimming or taking proper precautions allows your hair to recover and limits permanent damage. For most swimmers, the effects of chlorine are reversible if they alter their pool maintenance and hair care routine.

How to Protect Hair From Chlorine

While you can't avoid chlorine entirely in pools, you can take steps to protect your hair and minimize damage:

• Wear a tight-fitting swim cap
• Rinse hair with fresh water after getting out of the pool
• Shampoo and condition hair after swimming
• Apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming
• Deep condition hair weekly
• Avoid over-washing hair
• Limit use of heat styling tools
• Get regular trims to remove damaged ends
• Use a clarifying shampoo periodically

Choosing the Best Hair Products for Swimmers

Look for shampoos, conditioners and leave-in products designed for swimmers that contain ingredients to counteract chlorine damage. Heres what to look for:

• Hydrating oils and butters - Coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter replenish moisture and smooth the cuticle.
• Sodium chloride - Salt helps remove chlorine and mineral buildup from hair.
• Sunflower seed extract - Helps protect hair protein from chlorine damage.
• Quaternium-15 - This polymer prevents chlorine from penetrating and degrading the hair cuticle.
• Antioxidants - Vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea neutralize chlorine's oxidizing effects.

Professional Treatments for Chlorine Hair Damage

Occasional salon treatments can help restore strength and manageability if you're dealing with severe chlorine damage:

• Clarifying treatment - Removes built-up chlorine, minerals and product residue.
• Deep conditioning - Intensive hydrating and reparative masks.
• Keratin treatment - Smooths and strengthens damaged hair.
• Color services - Can camouflage greenish hues and restore original shade.

The Bottom Line

Chlorine can have damaging effects on hair with repeated long-term exposure. However, being mindful of how you care for your hair and using the right products can keep it healthy and minimize permanent damage. While swimming is great exercise, be aware of the potential effects of chlorine exposure. Take steps before and after getting in the pool to protect your hair.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.