Swimming
is a fun activity for when the weather starts to warm up
or as a sport/hobby. But swimming in a pool of chlorine
and other chemicals is bound to have some effect not just
on your skin but your hair. Many swimmers don’t think
twice about hair care when it comes to swimming, which can
make them prone to hair damage and discoloration.
While
taking a leisurely dip in a pool may feel refreshing, the
presence of pool water on your hair can be very damaging.
The very chemicals used in a pool to keep you clean and
destroy bacteria can also harm your hair by turning it
green (yuck!) and drying it out. If you participate in
water sports or are an avid swimmer, be prepared to deal
with your hair. Chlorine is a major force to be reckoned
with because this chemical breaks down the natural oils in
the hair. This causes hair or any type to become dry,
brittle, and dull.
Swimmers who color, perm or constantly put other types of
chemicals in the hair are also asking for trouble when
mixed with pool water. Ever stepped out of the pool and
dried your hair to find it crunchy and straw like? That
isn’t just a coincidence. If you’re guilty of subjecting
your locks to chemical hair treatments and pool water,
head to the salon as soon as possible. Perms and swimming
will never go together so if you’re a swimmer sporting
this hairstyle, immediately change your ‘do. If you love
your permed hair, then get used to wearing a swimming cap.
It may not look as great as whipping around wet hair, but
it’s the only solution to keeping the chlorine’s bleaching
effect away from your strands.
For
swimmers suffering from green hair as a result of over
exposure to the copper found in chlorine, there are a few
alternatives to correcting this hair color gone wrong. Try
using a shampoo and conditioner specially formulated to
tackle “swimmer’s hair.” There are plenty of these types
of hair products available that cater to swimmers. For an
at-home remedy, try rinsing the hair with lemon juice or
vinegar after swimming.
To
protect your hair from becoming dry and weak and to avoid
breakage, conditioning is key. Before stepping in the pool,
apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to your hair.
Top it off with a plastic bag and swim cap and you’re good
to go. If you can’t stand the thought of wearing a swim
cap (although doing so will save you a lot of grief), be
sure to keep your hair from coming into contact with
chlorine as much as possible and make deep conditioning a
part of your daily hair care routine.
