Managing Hair After Swimming: Chlorine Damage and Bleaching Tips

The Effects of Chlorine on Hair and How to Manage Them

Taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer day can be refreshing and fun. However, the chlorine used to keep pool water clean can wreak havoc on your hair. Chlorine is added to pools to kill bacteria and prevent germs from spreading. But as chlorine mixes with sweat, body oils, and other contaminants in the water, it forms chloramines which can be damaging to hair.

From dry, brittle strands to brassiness and discoloration, chlorine can negatively impact the health and appearance of your hair. The good news is that with some planning and TLC, you can swim without sacrificing your locks. Here's a deep dive into how chlorine affects hair, tips to prevent damage, and products and routines that can help restore hair's natural beauty.

How Does Chlorine Damage Hair?

Chlorine is a chemical bleaching agent that strips away natural oils and pigments in hair. Here are some of the common ways it can damage hair:

• Dryness - Chlorine removes the fatty lipids that coat and protect each strand. This leaves hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.
• Discoloration - Chlorine oxidizes melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. This fades color-treated and natural hair, leading to brassiness and discoloration over time.
• Frizz and Tangling - Lack of moisture causes the cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair shaft to lift up. This makes hair prone to snagging and tangling.
• Green Hue - The combination of chlorine and copper in pipes can cause a greenish tint in blonde, gray or color-treated hair.
• Slow Processing - Chlorine residue on strands makes it harder for color chemicals to penetrate and process evenly.

Preventing Chlorine Damage Before Swimming

Taking steps to prep your hair before swimming can help minimize the impact of chlorine exposure. Here are some tips:

• Coat hair in a pre-swim treatment or conditioner to protect strands.
• Wet hair thoroughly before getting in the pool so it absorbs less chlorine.
• For extra protection, wear a tight swimming cap.
• Avoid shampooing hair right before swimming, as clean hair absorbs more chlorine.
• Time color treatments so fresh dye doesn't get stripped by chlorine exposure.

Post-Swim Care for Healthy Hair

Taking the right steps after swimming helps restore moisture and reverse damage to your hair. Be sure to:

• Rinse out chlorine right after swimming by shampooing and conditioning hair.
• Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove chlorine buildup.
• Apply a deep conditioner to hydrate strands and smooth the cuticle.
• Limit heat styling, which weakens hair already prone to dryness.
• Trim regularly to cut off dry, damaged ends.
• Use a leave-in conditioner or hair mask for added moisture.

DIY Remedies to Revive Chlorine-Damaged Hair

In addition to commercial products, there are some homemade solutions you can turn to for restoring the health of your hair after swimming in chlorine:

• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse - The acidity helps close the cuticle and restore pH balance. Mix 1 part ACV to 3 parts water and pour over hair after shampooing. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing.
• Baking Soda and Water Scrub - This exfoliates buildup and residue. Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water. Gently massage into damp hair and let sit briefly before rinsing.
• Coconut Oil Treatment - The fatty acids provide deep hydration. Warm up pure coconut oil and apply generously to hair. Put on a shower cap and let the oil soak in for 30 minutes to an hour before shampooing as normal.
• Beer Rinse - Hops contain moisturizing proteins that repair damage. Rinse hair with flat beer after shampooing. For blondes, chamomile tea can brighten up chlorine-dulled color.

Bleaching Hair After Swimming - Good Idea or Damaging Mistake?

If your hair has turned green or orange from chlorine exposure, you may be tempted to bleach it. But is bleaching actually a good solution? Here's a look at the pros and cons.

The Case for Bleaching

There are a few reasons why bleaching may seem like the right fix after swimming has altered your hair color:

• It can remove green and brassy tones by stripping the underlying pigment.
• You may want to quickly get your hair back to its original color.
• Bleaching provides a blank canvas if you want to dye your hair a different color.

Reasons to Avoid Bleaching

However, there are also some very compelling reasons to steer clear of bleaching chlorine-damaged hair:

• It will dry out hair and cause more damage to strands already weakened by chlorine.
• Overprocessing with more chemicals can cause breakage.
• Without porosity control, bleached hair may quickly turn brassy again.
• It can result in uneven patchy coloring.
• If the water is not fully rinsed out, bleaching over chlorine residue gives poor results.

The Verdict

While bleaching may seem like a quick fix, it often exacerbates the existing damage from chlorine. You run the risk of being left with dry, brittle hair full of broken ends. For minimizing damage, it's best to avoid bleaching right after swimming. Instead, give your hair some time to recover first.

Using clarifying shampoos to fade green and brassiness gradually, deep conditioning treatments, and bond repairing products can help restore your hair's natural vibrancy. Focus on hydration and moisture before even thinking of using bleach or dye. With some TLC, you can nurse your hair back to health.

Caring for Bleached Hair After Swimming

If you do choose to bleach your hair after chlorine damage, it's crucial to take extra steps to prevent further drying and breakage. Here are some tips for caring for bleached hair post-swim:

• Use a purple toning shampoo to keep brassiness at bay.
• Alternate with a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo.
• Apply a deep conditioner after every shampoo.
• Let hair air dry instead of using hot tools.
• Avoid chlorine and salt water until hair is stronger.
• Use a heat protecting spray before any heat styling.
• Get regular trims to prevent splits from spreading up the shaft.
• Use overnight treatments and masks to boost hydration.

Bond Repair Treatments

Bond repairing and strengthening treatments can also do wonders for bringing compromised bleached hair back to life. These contain active ingredients such as:

• Amino acids - help attract and seal moisture into porous, damaged cuticles.
• Proteins - reinforce hair structure by filling gaps and reconnecting broken keratin bonds.
• Silicones - provide lubrication to smooth and soften the hair shaft surface.

Products containing these compound help reconstruct bleached hair from the inside out. Using them as directed immediately after bleaching reduces the risk of strands snapping off later on.

Avoid Overprocessing

It's also key to avoid overprocessing bleached hair. Repeated or back-to-back bleaching will chew through strands. As will permanent dyeing, perming or other chemical treatments.

Instead, give your bleached hair a break by using semi-permanent or temporary coloring options. Go for 6-8 weeks between bleaching or permanently coloring again. And resist the urge for trends like foil highlights that require repeated bleaching at the roots.

FAQs About Managing Hair After Swimming

How soon after swimming should you wash your hair?

It's best to rinse out chlorine and shampoo immediately after swimming or as soon as possible. The longer chlorine remains on hair, the more damage it can do. Try to shampoo within 3 hours max if you can't do it right away.

Does wearing a cap prevent chlorine damage?

A tight-fitting swim cap can help minimize exposure, especially if hair is also wet going in. But it doesn't provide full protection. Some chlorine can still seep in over time through the cap and interact with hair.

Can you bleach hair the same day as swimming?

It's not recommended. Hair should be free of chlorine residue before lightening or coloring. Bleaching right after swimming often leads to uneven results since chlorine seals the cuticle. It's best to wait and shampoo a few times first.

Is dousing hair in fresh water after swimming helpful?

A quick freshwater rinse can help dilute some of the chlorine. But it won't remove all the residue that adheres to the hair and continues damaging it over time. Be sure to still shampoo thoroughly after swimming.

Does saltwater also damage hair like chlorine?

Yes, saltwater and ocean swimming can also dry out hair and cause discoloration, although to a lesser degree than chlorine for most. Be sure to still rinse, shampoo, and condition after swimming in the ocean.

In Summary

Chlorine can take a heavy toll on your hair health and beauty. But armed with the right products, preventative steps and post-swim care, you can enjoy a dip without sacrificing your locks. Take the time to adequately cleanse strands, nourish with moisture-replenishing conditioners, and avoid overprocessing. With some TLC, you hair will be back to looking and feeling its best.

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.