Swimming and Chlorine- How to Protect Your Skin, Hair, and Health

　　Protecting Your Skin, Hair, and Well-being from Pool Chlorine

　　Our bodies require pure, natural water, and it may appear that immersing oneself in a pool—engaging in swimming—is a healthy pursuit. Swimming does offer a variety of health benefits. Nevertheless, the chemicals, such as chlorine, added to pool water to prevent infections can negatively affect our skin, hair, and even our teeth. Chlorine, a disinfectant and greenish-yellow gas, is the primary culprit.

　　The effects of chlorine are particularly notorious for those with blonde hair, as it can cause a greenish tint due to a reaction with copper from the pipes. Regular swimmers might also suffer from skin problems. The skin, being the body’s largest organ, can absorb waterborne pollutants. While long-term exposure to chlorine may be associated with serious health issues like cancer, the usual skin and hair problems it causes are typically harmless. These can include skin and scalp irritation leading to dryness and itching. The Pacific Center for Health also cautions that chlorine can break down essential proteins, resulting in dry skin and hair that is difficult to manage or damaging to color treatments.

　　There are methods to protect oneself from the adverse effects of chlorine:

　　For Hair Protection:

• Apply a light layer of oil to your hair before getting into the pool.
• Wet your hair with non-chlorinated water to reduce chlorine absorption.
• Utilize protective shampoos such as Ultraswim and pre-swim treatments.
• Frequently wet your hair to rinse off chlorine.
• Wear a swim cap to keep your hair dry.
• After swimming, do a deep shampoo, avoid high heat styling, and use a wide-tooth comb.

　　For Skin Protection:

• Use a waterproof sunscreen designed for chlorine sensitivity.
• Take showers between swims to minimize chlorine absorption.
• Shower after swimming to remove chlorine, optionally using soap.
• Apply lotions that are formulated to counteract chlorine’s effects.

　　Even the chlorine present in daily showers can damage skin and hair, leading to the consideration of installing a shower or whole house filter. Moreover, water can also deplete the skin of moisture, making the application of moisturizer after swimming advantageous.

　　If you’re dealing with skin or hair issues caused by chlorine, be assured that the damage can be repaired. With decreased chlorine exposure and proper care, the body can recover, enabling you to continue enjoying activities such as swimming.