Swimming is an excellent exercise and sometimes a hobby for some people. But, swim or not to swim is the ultimate question that arises when it comes to caring for your skin and hair. Swimming pool contains chlorinated water that causes hair and skin damage. Read to find out how chlorine causes damage to hair and skin and to know the best products to combat it.
How does Chlorine effects our hair?
1. Dry and dull hair:
Chlorine steals the natural oil of your hair that leads to breakage and damage due to brittle strands. Staying for a long time in swimming pool promotes your hair shafts to absorb the chlorine which results in dry and dull hair.
2. Split ends and roughness:
Hair soaked in chlorinated water allow penetration of chemicals between hair fibers and starts to crystallize within the hair shaft that results in separated hair fiber. The way it destroys the structural integrity of strands of hair can cause roughness and split ends.
3. Premature graying:
Chlorine gets into your skin through the open pores. After a specific period, it can cause premature gray hair. Chlorine causes loss of natural oil that covers the hair and keep shaft supple and protective from other harmful elements, which may lead to dry scalp as well.
4. Changes hair color:
Chlorine is a chemical reaction that directly affects hair by chemical changes to hair components. This direct chemical changes result in the reaction of chlorine with pigments in hair color. This chlorine pigment reaction causes change of hair from natural color to the straw color of keratin.
5. Hair loss:
Chlorine contains an oxidizing effect that causes irritation and dryness after prolonged exposure to chlorinated water. This dryness and irritation caused by the chlorinated water leads to hair loss.
Tips to combat chlorine effects on hair:
- Saturate your hair before entering into the pool: Soaking your hair with tap water makes them less likely to absorb chlorine.
- Wear a swim cap: If you are fond of swimming and concerned about damage then wearing a swim cap is a great solution.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly: After leaving the swimming pool rinse your hair thoroughly which will help flush out all the chlorine chemicals.
- Use shampoo: Once you exit the pool, shampooing your hair is the best way to remove chlorine and its damages from your hair.
- Apply conditioner: Chlorine causes the loss of natural oil and flexibility. Make sure you are following the conditioner after shampooing your hair to flush out chlorine and balance the flexibility.
- Use post-swim hair dechlorinating spray: Proper protection is needed to avoid the after effects of swimming. If you are using hair spray after swimming, it's great to protect your hair from chlorine effects.
How does Chlorine effects our skin:
1. Flaky and dry skin: Prolonged exposure every day in the swimming pool that has chlorinated water will, undoubtedly, leave appearing effects on your skin. If you have sensitive skin, then you are more prone to flaky and dry skin.
2. Killing good bacteria: Yes, it’s true. But, along with that, it is also capable of killing good bacteria present in our skin.
3. Destroy Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an essential component required for healthy skin. Specific studies have proven that chlorinated water destroys vitamin E present in our skin.
4. Damage polyunsaturated fatty acids: Polyunsaturated fatty acids play a vital role to keep your skin healthy and supple. But, chlorine absorption within skin damages it, which can snatch the glow of your skin and leave behind dullness.
5. Might increase skin-cancer risks: Some studies have proven that chlorine promotes free radicals that are enemies of health. Drinking chlorinated (tap water) water, bathing, or swimming in continuity for a long time can lead to health issues.
Tips to combat with chlorine effects on skin?
- Apply pre-swimming cream and moisturizer: Once you step out of the pool apply moisturizer to prevent dry and dull skin.
- Apply chlorine protection cream and spray: Using sunscreen or chlorine protection spray can help you to reduce the risk of pigmentation.
- Take a shower after swimming: Taking a shower after exiting the pool is one of the best steps that you can choose to prevent that skin harms caused by chlorine exposure and you can apply skin lotion.
- Apply pre-swimming lotion: Lubricating skin with the help of a body lotion can be a useful step. Make sure you are applying skin lotion to create a protective layer to act as a barrier for chlorine absorption within the skin.
Summary
Swimming pool contains chlorine water that can harm your skin and hair as well. Well, you are well-known to a fact that is “Protection is always better than the cure” and the same you have to remember while going for swimming. The tips given above will help you to combat it by locking the luster in your hair and keeping skin healthy and supple even after the long exposure of chlorinated water.
