The health of our hair is important. Once the hair gets damaged, it can be hard to get it up to its original shine. Among the damaging factors, we have to count in chlorine. This chemical element is frequently found in pools as it helps clean out the impurities in water.
Chlorine can strip our hair of natural oils leaving it dry and brittle while also lessening its defense against other problems. To maintain the top shape of our hair and secure it whenever we go to the pool, here are some tips that’ll enhance its defenses.
1. Rinse before and after the pool
Most pools have a rule that requires people who wish to use them to rinse their hair. This is done in order to protect other people at the pool from any possible dirt or other materials that may get nested in the hair. However, it can aid you as well.
The first and most obvious benefit is that everybody following this rule means far less worry of dirt contaminating the pool and potentially affecting our hair. Secondly, a pre-swim rinse will result in your hair being ready to absorb water. This benefit is important because, usually, hair won’t discriminate between water and any other materials present in the pool. To prevent it from absorbing chlorine and instead simply soak up water, a pre-swim rinse will do fine.
After the swim, hair could still contain some traces of chlorine. Especially in pools that may have inserted too much chlorine into their water. This is why you should take a shower after swimming too. The rinse may be enough to get the chlorine out of your hair but using light shampoo is also good.
2. Apply natural oils to hair
Of course, we should have our hair protected against chlorine regardless. Even if we consistently rinse, our hair will still lack protection. To lower the chances of chlorine damage, we recommend using natural oils.
These can range from coconut to olive oils but the main benefit of it will be the protective layer they form. This layer is a rather simple way to prevent chemicals from entering our hair. In the case of chlorine, just about any of these will work.
This method is especially potent for those who frequently swim. Repeated exposure to chlorine can be harder to resist with simple treatment like rinsing so this extra layer of protection comes in handy. Not to mention some hair is simply more susceptible to chlorine damage. The oils will make it far easier to deal with the potential issues chlorine in hair can cause.
3. Use a special conditioner
Some people don’t like using oils while others have hair that doesn’t quite like them. Regardless, there are situations where oils won’t do and you need to look towards other options for that extra protection from chlorine.
The best alternative is a conditioner but not just any conditioner. There are conditioners out there specifically made for swimmers, allowing safer swimming for long periods of time without worry of damage.
The most common type of conditioner used is hydrating conditioner. When it comes to this type of conditioner, your hair will get that extra layer of protection without the use of oils. The hydrating conditioner contains dimethicone which improves water retention by creating that protective layer.
However, it’s worthwhile to consult a professional on using hydrating conditioners because they may not be right for all types of hair. We recommend visiting appropriate salons to get an opinion on the correct conditioner to use, assuming you have no inherent allergies. Hera Beauty is a reputable and high-quality hair salon that can provide you with ample advice tied to your hair.
4. Wear a swim cap
For the most mechanical and simple way of resolving this problem, we recommend wearing a swimming cap. This piece of swimming equipment is great because it doesn’t allow the chlorine to reach our hair at all. However, it needs to be worn correctly.
The best way to wear a swimming cap is by putting all of your hair inside it. To fit it in, we suggest making the hair wet first. This will allow you to adequately fit all of your hair within the cap. However, people with very long hair may be unable to put one on even when it’s wet which is why we suggest tying your hair in a bun or a ponytail. Doing so reduces the amount of contact between chlorine and hair, minimizing damage.
Lastly, it pays to have a few swimming caps. No matter the quality of them, it’s possible to tear up a swimming cap if you are frequently using it. By having spares we are never caught off guard and can enjoy our swims without worry.
5. Swim in outdoor pools
Outdoor pools are overall better due to giving you extra fresh air and the ability to take a sunbath at their side if you wish. However, they can help with chlorine in water too. Because of the outdoor pools being open to natural sunlight, the chlorine gas that’s in the water will evaporate faster. This leads to a far less troublesome concentration in chlorine no matter how much the pool owners put in.
This won’t only protect our hair from chlorine but also our skin and the entirety of our body. If you are usually put off by pools because of the chlorine’s effects, an outdoor pool could pose a great alternative that allows you to have fun without the side effects that are usually expected to occur.
6. Take care of your hair after the swim
The protection doesn’t stop once we get out of the pool. While preemptive ways to protect against chlorine are important, leaving the pool leaves us with more worries on our minds. The actual treatment will depend from person to person but it should involve adequate products that enhance our hair’s health. Additionally, showers with gentle shampoo may be quite a simple treat for mitigating problems chlorine may cause.
