Chlorine is a substance used to remove pathogens in pools, it helps oxidize organic contaminants, while also preventing algae. That’s why it’s heavily used in pools, but the problem is that it can also cause hair discoloration, dryness, breakage and other similar issues.

The important thing to note is that chlorine exposure doesn’t cause severe damage right away. However, repeated exposure can lead to the aforementioned hair problems. If you are a frequent swimmer with chemically-treated, highlighted, bleached or dyed hair, then you’re particularly subject to possible discoloration.

What Does Chlorine Do to Your Hair?

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant meant to keep swimming pools clean. That makes pools safer for swimmers, but it can also affect the hair and scalp. It can actually lead to many different issues, including:

· It removes protective oils, which leaves the hair feeling less hydrated after swimming. Basically, the more frequently you swim without hair care, the more noticeable the effect becomes.

· Additionally, it makes your hair dryer. That means it will feel less soft, appear duller, and it will become more difficult to style.

· Moreover, chlorine changes the hair texture by making it rougher.

· When the hair is rougher, it tends to tangle a lot more often. It's prone to knots, especially after swimming.

· It can also have an increased risk of breakage as well.

 

Does Chlorine Turn Hair Green?

Lots of swimmers think that chlorine is the one responsible for turning their hair green, but that’s not the case. It’s a misconception, instead the hair discoloration/color change is linked to copper or other materials found within the pool water.

What happens is these metals attach to the hair shaft, and it’s more prevalent on light-colored, highlighted, blond or even bleached hair. It’s also apparent in the case of chemically treated hair as well, especially if it’s frequently exposed to pool water.

If you have these types of hair, a great recommendation is to use products that protect your hair, and establish a good hair care routine using the tips shared within this article. 

How to Protect Hair From Chlorine Before Swimming?

Chlorine exposure can be dangerous for both your skin and hair. That’s why, no matter if you spend hours in the pool or swim occasionally, it’s a great idea to reduce the effects of chlorine with adequate hair protection. That’s especially true if you have chemically-treated, bleached or dyed hair, as these tend to be very vulnerable to discoloration and dryness. You should also consider using these pre-swim protection steps shown below, as they can help maintain your hair softer and healthier.

1. Wet Your Hair With Fresh Water Before Entering the Pool

A good rule of thumb is to wet your hair using fresh water before you enter the pool. Your hair absorbs that fresh water, and thus the amount of pool water that gets absorbed by your hair is heavily reduced, which is extremely important to keep in mind. Do this every time you want to swim in a regular pool, and you will see a huge difference.

2. Apply a Small Amount of Leave-In Conditioner or Pre-Swim Hair Product

Another thing that you can do is to apply some leave-in conditioner or pre-swim hair product. The reason why you want to do that is that it helps create a protective layer, and that reduces both tangling and hair dryness. However, you don't want to overdo it. If you add too much hair product, it can affect the pool water quality.

3. Wear a Well-Fitting Swim Cap

We also recommend wearing a well-fitting swim cap. That's because good swim caps keep hair dry, and that reduces direct exposure to pool water. It also keeps the long hair controlled, it reduces drag, and it can help keep hair away from your face, making it incredibly powerful.

Another upside here is that it can help reduce chlorine exposure naturally. The important thing is to find a professional silicone swim cap, which is going to protect your scalp. The HoloSport silicone swim cap is very easy to wear and it can easily protect you from all those negative effects brought by chlorine.

4. Avoid Swimming With Already-Damaged Hair When Possible

Some of us bleach their hair or use chemical treatments. In those cases, it's imperative to try and avoid swimming. That hair needs extra care, and protecting it adequately is extremely important.

5. Tie Long Hair Properly Before Putting on a Swim Cap

You should always try to tie the long hair properly before you put on a swimming cap. After you do that, chlorine will find it much harder to access your hair, since it's all carefully collected under your swim cap. However, that means you want to invest in a very durable and dependable swim cap, one that can protect you in the long term.

 

Do Good Swim Caps Keep Hair Dry?

A swim cap is meant to reduce drag, keep your hair controlled and it can reduce direct exposure to pool water. It’s not meant specifically to keep your hair dry, but a lot of the time it will do so. There are 3 main types of swim caps, and each one offers its different type of benefits, as follows:

 

The Best Post-Swim Hair Care Routine

The important thing to focus on after swimming is to establish a routine. Ideally, you want to do the following:

1. Rinse right away, so you can remove any chlorine from your body, including your hair. Swimmers can also use swim shampoos that are specifically focused on removing chlorine. That will help remove all the chlorine residue along with other pool chemicals, making it a great addition to your post swim hair care routine.

2. Conditioning the hair is the next step, as conditioner will help protect your hair and keep it fresh.

3. Additionally, detangle your hair gently. If you're not gentle, there is a chance that you might end up breaking your hair, and that's important to avoid as much as possible.

4. Dry your hair after detangling it, but don't use excessive heat. As you know, hair can damage your hair, no matter if it's brittle hair, dry hair or anything of that nature.

5. Lastly, you want to monitor your hair. See if there are any signs of discoloration, breakage or persistent dryness, where possible.

 

How to Fix Chlorine-Damaged Hair?

What if your hair was severely damaged by chlorine? In that case, it can be very difficult or close to impossible to restore it to the original condition. But there are a few methods you can use in order to reduce further damage, as follows.

· Try to stay away from any further chlorine exposure.

· Make sure that you are using hair masks and conditioners, as that will certainly help your hair.

· Reduce the heat styling or stop using that completely, if you can. The same thing is valid when it comes to aggressive brushing, try to avoid that as much as you can.

· Trim the damaged ends if they are severely damaged and there's no chance to repair them.

· Clarifying or chelating products can be a solid option to consider for mineral building.

· If you continue having scalp or hair issues, talk with a professional.

Don't Forget to Protect Your Eyes While Swimming

It's extremely important to try and protect your eyes while you are swimming. The truth is that chlorine could lead to eye irritation and it can make some of these issues worse. The most important thing is to keep your eyes safe. Choose comfortable goggles for swimming, and make sure that they fit very well.

Additionally, you want to have anti-fog visibility where possible, as that will help a lot. If you are a swimmer who needs eye protection, then smart swim goggles like the ones like SollaWave can be a solid option. These have eye protection, along with swim tracking, post-swim AI analysis, underwater music and feedback.

Quick Checklist: Before and After Every Swim

Now that you know whether chlorine is bad for your hair or not, we wanted to make a quick checklist to help you stay safe before and after every swim.

Before Swimming

· Wet your hair with some fresh water

· Apply some protective products, if necessary

· Secure your long hair appropriately

· Try to wear a well-fitting swim cap

· Use swim goggles that fit very well.

 

After Swimming

· Rinse your hair right after swimming

· Wash the hair, if necessary

· Condition the hair and be gentle when detangling

· Prevent exposure to unnecessary heat

· Monitor the hair for discoloration and dryness

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I protect my hair from chlorine naturally?

Once you know if chlorine is bad for your hair or not, you want to protect it via wetting your hair with fresh water beforehand, wearing a well-fitting swim cap and rinsing your hair after leaving the pool.

Is chlorine bad for your hair if you swim every day?

Frequent exposure to chlorine will contribute to tangling, roughness and hair dryness.

Should I wet my hair before putting on a swim cap?

Yes, wetting your hair is recommended because it reduces the amount of chlorinated water absorbed by your hair while swimming.

Do swim caps keep your hair completely dry?

No, the hair will still get wet, at least a little bit. Their role is to reduce drag and limit water exposure. But nothing guarantees complete dryness while swimming.

Do I have to wash my hair after swimming?

It's not always necessary, but you should rinse your hair with fresh water after swimming if possible.

How do I protect colored hair from chlorine?

Wet it before swimming, use protective hair products and rinse the hair after swimming. Wearing a swim cap can also be a very good idea to keep in mind.

How can I fix chlorine-damaged hair?

Reduce chlorine exposure and start using moisturizing conditioners or hair masks. Also, trim the damaged ends and minimize exposure to heat styling.

Does vitamin C spray remove chlorine from hair?

Vitamin C could reduce chlorine residue on the hair. However, it doesn't repair the existing hair damage.

Why does blonde hair sometimes turn green after swimming?

It happens due to copper and other metals dissolved in pool water. It's not related to chlorine.

Should swimmers protect their eyes from chlorine too?

Wearing swim goggles that fit very well is a crucial part of the process. It will help make swimming more enjoyable as well.

Should you rinse after swimming?

Yes, it’s a good idea because it allows you to better protect your skin and hair from chlorine. Also, try to wear protective hair products, where possible.

Is it a good idea to limit the use of heat styling products as a swimmer?

Ideally, yes, because heat styling products can end up damaging your hair if you use them right after swimming or after a short while. 

Once you know what chlorine does to your hair, it's a good idea to create a routine that protects you from those issues. So, it's a good idea to wet your hair before swimming, wear a well-fitting swim cap, rinse immediately after swimming and use the right cleansing and conditioning products. Also, protect your eyes with swim goggles that fit, and if you have bleached or damaged hair, focus on additional care for it. A consistent swimming routine will protect comfort, eyes, hair and it will offer more enjoyment in the water. We recommend exploring the HoloSport swimming gear to protect yourself and improve your swimming experience.