Chlorine is responsible for keeping pool water safe for swimming by getting rid of bacteria and other undesirable substances before they can reach you. The downside is that it can make your hair feel dry and brittle and your skin feel tight and dry, particularly if you go to the pool several times a week. The good thing is that a few minor adjustments to your swimming habits can make a big difference; here are five easy methods for protecting both your hair and your skin from chlorine, no matter whether you're in the pool for training, fitness or just for enjoyment.
Does chlorine really damage your hair and skin?
Chlorine works by breaking down organic matter in the water, and unfortunately this process can also affect your hair and skin. If you repeatedly come into contact with it, the natural oils can be stripped away, causing the skin to become dry, itchy and more susceptible to irritation, while the hair can gradually become dry, brittle and lose its colour. The National Eczema Society states that pool water can be especially irritating for people who have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema, both because of the chlorine and because of the water's pH. The CDC's Healthy Swimming programme also points out that the chemicals in pool water can lead to skin and eye irritation if the levels aren't properly balanced. However, this doesn't mean that you should avoid the pool altogether — instead, a little preparation makes a big difference.
Tip 1: Rinse before you get in the pool
It might seem a bit against common sense to shower before swimming, but by first wetting your hair and skin with clean water you give the body less opportunity to absorb the chlorinated water when you're in the pool. This is a simple habit which most swimming clubs and pools already advise and only takes a few seconds to carry out in the changing room before you go in.
Tip 2: Wear a swim cap to protect your hair
Wearing a swim cap forms a physical barrier between your hair and the water, which decreases the amount of chlorine that your hair comes into contact with while you're swimming. This is particularly beneficial when you have long hair or hair that has been coloured or chemically treated since such hair is more susceptible to chlorine damage. Although it is a simple item, it proves to be worthwhile over the course of a season of regular training.
Tip 3: Rinse off immediately after swimming
Leaving chlorine on your skin and hair while it dries gives it more time to cause irritation, which is why it's one of the best habits you can develop to rinse off as soon as you get out of the pool. Taking a quick shower in the changing room immediately after swimming, rather than waiting until you get home, means that the chlorine has less time to remain on your skin.
Tip 4: Moisturise skin and condition hair post-swim
After you have rinsed your body, apply to your skin a mild, fragrance-free moisturiser and to your hair a conditioning treatment that is nourishing. This will help to replace the natural oils and moisture which have been taken away by the chlorine, and it is a good idea to make this part of your usual routine after swimming rather than waiting until your skin or hair are already dry.
Tip 5: Know the signs it's time to see a dermatologist
For the majority of swimmers, carrying out a proper routine before and after swimming is sufficient to reduce the effects of chlorine. However, when you experience ongoing redness, itching, scaling, or odd hair breakage which still doesn't improve after following the measures mentioned above, it's better to have it examined by a general practitioner or a dermatologist rather than attempting to deal with it yourself. If you want to find out more, the American Academy of Dermatology provides more detailed advice on how to manage skin sensitivity caused by swimming.
By making only a few minor adjustments—such as rinsing your hair both before and after swimming, covering your hair with a cap, and making sure you moisturise it regularly—chlorine needn't interfere with your enjoyment of time in the pool.
Chlorine is responsible for keeping pool water safe for swimming by getting rid of bacteria and other undesirable substances before they can reach you. The downside is that it can make your hair feel dry and brittle and your skin feel tight and dry, particularly if you go to the pool several times a week. The good thing is that a few minor adjustments to your swimming habits can make a big difference; here are five easy methods for protecting both your hair and your skin from chlorine, no matter whether you're in the pool for training, fitness or just for enjoyment.
Does chlorine really damage your hair and skin?
Chlorine works by breaking down organic matter in the water, and unfortunately this process can also affect your hair and skin. If you repeatedly come into contact with it, the natural oils can be stripped away, causing the skin to become dry, itchy and more susceptible to irritation, while the hair can gradually become dry, brittle and lose its colour. The National Eczema Society states that pool water can be especially irritating for people who have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema, both because of the chlorine and because of the water's pH. The CDC's Healthy Swimming programme also points out that the chemicals in pool water can lead to skin and eye irritation if the levels aren't properly balanced. However, this doesn't mean that you should avoid the pool altogether — instead, a little preparation makes a big difference.
Tip 1: Rinse before you get in the pool
It might seem a bit against common sense to shower before swimming, but by first wetting your hair and skin with clean water you give the body less opportunity to absorb the chlorinated water when you're in the pool. This is a simple habit which most swimming clubs and pools already advise and only takes a few seconds to carry out in the changing room before you go in.
Tip 2: Wear a swim cap to protect your hair
Wearing a swim cap forms a physical barrier between your hair and the water, which decreases the amount of chlorine that your hair comes into contact with while you're swimming. This is particularly beneficial when you have long hair or hair that has been coloured or chemically treated since such hair is more susceptible to chlorine damage. Although it is a simple item, it proves to be worthwhile over the course of a season of regular training.
Tip 3: Rinse off immediately after swimming
Leaving chlorine on your skin and hair while it dries gives it more time to cause irritation, which is why it's one of the best habits you can develop to rinse off as soon as you get out of the pool. Taking a quick shower in the changing room immediately after swimming, rather than waiting until you get home, means that the chlorine has less time to remain on your skin.
Tip 4: Moisturise skin and condition hair post-swim
After you have rinsed your body, apply to your skin a mild, fragrance-free moisturiser and to your hair a conditioning treatment that is nourishing. This will help to replace the natural oils and moisture which have been taken away by the chlorine, and it is a good idea to make this part of your usual routine after swimming rather than waiting until your skin or hair are already dry.
Tip 5: Know the signs it's time to see a dermatologist
For the majority of swimmers, carrying out a proper routine before and after swimming is sufficient to reduce the effects of chlorine. However, when you experience ongoing redness, itching, scaling, or odd hair breakage which still doesn't improve after following the measures mentioned above, it's better to have it examined by a general practitioner or a dermatologist rather than attempting to deal with it yourself. If you want to find out more, the American Academy of Dermatology provides more detailed advice on how to manage skin sensitivity caused by swimming.
By making only a few minor adjustments—such as rinsing your hair both before and after swimming, covering your hair with a cap, and making sure you moisturise it regularly—chlorine needn't interfere with your enjoyment of time in the pool.