Protect Hair From Chlorine Damage This Summer
Summer is here. Along with summer comes an increased opportunity to jump into the swimming pool for cooling fun and exercise. Swimming and water exercise is great for the body, but hard on the hair. The chemicals in chlorine are really bad for your hair. While chlorine-treated pools protect swimmers from germs, the chlorine in swimming pools does major damage to even the healthiest head of hair. Chlorine is a strong chemical that can alter hair color as well as permed and relaxed hair. It also strips the hair of moisture which causes dry, brittle, and damaged hair. While this may become problematic to those who spend many hours at the pool, there are ways to protect your hair from chlorine damage.
- Wet hair with tap water before going into the swimming pool. Hair that is already saturated with water is less likely to absorb the swimming pool chemicals.
- Tie hair up. If your hair is long enough, pull it into a ponytail on top of your head and secure the ends under the rubber band. Unless you are going to submerge your head in the water, this helps to keep most of the hair dry. Tying up the hair also prevents the loose hair from floating into the pool and clogging the pool filter.
- Wear a swimming cap. The caps protect the pool and your hair. Silicone swimming caps protect the hair and allow your head to breathe.
- Hair conditioner helps to coat the hair. Apply hair conditioner before entering the swimming pool.
- Shampoo hair immediately after leaving the swimming pool. Shower and shampoo immediately so the pool chemicals are not allowed to dry on the skin and hair.
- Condition your hair. A deep conditioning treatment adds moisture and shine to hair.
- Clarifying Shampoo removes chlorine. Clarifying shampoos are designed for occasional use, rather than everyday use.