Yes, swimming in a pool can be damaging to your hair due to the chemicals, particularly chlorine, commonly used to disinfect the water.
Why Pool Water Harms Your Hair
The primary culprit behind hair damage in pools is chlorine. Here's how it impacts your hair:
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Stripping Natural Oils: Chlorine acts as a potent cleaning agent, and it doesn't discriminate between harmful bacteria and the natural oils (sebum) that keep your hair moisturized and healthy. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie B. Nussbaum, "The chemicals found in chlorine will strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp."
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Damage to the Cuticle and Protein: When the natural oils are stripped away, the hair's protective outer layer, called the cuticle, becomes vulnerable. Chlorine also attacks the hair's protein, keratin, which forms the structural basis of your hair. This damage makes the hair brittle, prone to breakage, and susceptible to split ends.
Consequences of Chlorine Exposure
Repeated exposure to chlorinated pool water can lead to several undesirable hair conditions:
- Dryness: The lack of natural oils leaves hair feeling dry, rough, and difficult to manage.
- Brittleness: The compromised protein structure makes hair more susceptible to breakage and damage from styling.
- Color Fading: For those with color-treated hair, chlorine can accelerate the fading of the dye, leading to dullness or unwanted brassy tones.
- "Swimmer's Hair": This condition refers to hair that becomes excessively dry, tangled, and discolored (often with a greenish tint in lighter hair) due to chlorine exposure.
Protecting Your Hair While Swimming
Fortunately, you can take steps to minimize the negative effects of pool water on your hair:
- Wet Hair Before Swimming: Saturate your hair with clean water before entering the pool. This helps prevent your hair from absorbing as much chlorinated water.
- Apply a Leave-In Conditioner or Hair Oil: Coating your hair with a leave-in conditioner or a natural oil (like coconut oil or olive oil) creates a barrier against the chlorine.
- Wear a Swim Cap: A swim cap provides a physical barrier to protect your hair from direct contact with chlorinated water. Ensure the cap fits snugly.
- Rinse Hair Immediately After Swimming: Thoroughly rinse your hair with clean water as soon as you exit the pool to remove any residual chlorine.
- Use a Clarifying Shampoo: Once or twice a week, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any lingering chlorine buildup. Follow with a moisturizing conditioner to replenish lost moisture.
- Deep Condition Regularly: Use a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week to hydrate and repair damaged hair.
