Jumping Angel asks…With summer vacation in full swing (yay!) I’m spending a LOT of time in the pool. What can I do to keep the chlorine from hurting my hair?
The Right Brain responds:
Before we answer your question let’s talk about why chlorine is bad for your hair.
Chlorine catastrophe
Chlorine is used to disinfect pool water because it’s a very reactive molecule and it combines with organic compounds. So when your little brother pees in the pool the chlorine helps break it down so bacteria can’t grow. Unfortunately this reactivity means it can also affect your hair. In fact there are two different ways that chlorine hurts hair.
1. Protein damage
Chlorine has been shown to interact with the thin membrane that covers the cuticles of your hair causing tiny bubbles to form. These bubbles are called “all worden sacs” for those science geeks reading this. Once this protective coating is damaged the natural glue that hold your cuticles in place is more quickly worn away and so they become loose and lift up. This is why soaking in the pool gives your hair that raspy dry feel.
2. Color complexation
Chlorine reacts with the pigments and dyes in your hair, both natural and synthetic. This reaction shifts the hue of the color which is why your hair picks up that nasty greenish tint.
How to protect hair from chlorine
Of course the best thing is to keep your hair away from the chlorine in the first place. So you could always wear a bathing cap like the Left Brain does. (which is a VERY sexy look, I must say.) But if that doesn’t fit your style, then we recommend conditioning your hair before swimming. A good conditioner with high levels of silicone can act like a shield to prevent the absorption of chlorine. Tresemme and Pantene are two good brands to use in this regard. If you want to feel like you’re doing even more to protect your hair, after your swim you can also use one of the swimmers shampoos, like Ultraswim, that supposedly reduce the chlorine with thiosulfite. Thiosulfite is supposed to prevent the chlorine from oxidizing your hair. (Theoretically this could be helpful but we’ve never seen any evidence that it really works.)
What do YOU do at the beach or pool to protect your hair? Leave a comment and share your brainy beach tips with the rest of the Beauty Brines, uh, I mean, Beauty Brains community.
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Thanks for the right answer at the right time.
Actually, the science geek says “Allwörden sacs”. Named after the reaction in the Allwörden membrane.
I would swim a lot more if I wasn’t so afraid of chlorine ruining my colored hair. I do use swim caps but I think I am doing it wrong. Serious question: what is the proper way to put on a swim cap? And which ones are best? I assume the tight rubbery ones do a better job of keeping water out, but I was taught to wet my hair before putting the cap on, so it is hard for me to tell if pool water has reached my hair. Help!
I have a saltwater pool. It does not irritate my skin or eyes. It still uses chlorine but in a different way.
Is it still as bad for my hair? I haven’t seen any evidence of that yet.
Bonnie,
I too swim in chlorine allot and I can tell you the best thing I have found to date. Good old V05 hairdressing. I put about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in my hand, lightly rub my hands together and thoroughly rub the VO5 into my hair, and then apply my cap. It will make your hair greasy, but it protects it better than anything I have tried. Now I have to find something to wash it out after! Any suggestions out there? Jill
Swim caps? Special shampoo? All seems more trouble then it’s worth. After all, hair eventually grows out and gets trimmed. It’s not like the damage will cause you to go bald or anything. And the green discoloration always seems to just wash out, or get removed when I color my hair.
Me, I’m all for just pulling it up in a ponytail, enjoying the pool, and not even thinking about the damage. It’s only hair.
Perhaps the thiosulfite works when hair is still wet from a dip in a chlorinated pool?
Sodium thiosulfate (Na2SO3)is used as a water sample preservative when testing for bacteria (specifically E. coli). In simple terms it “eats” chlorine that would otherwise kill bacteria in the sample.
I’m looking for a herbal remedy to get red of the chlorine after swimming (Any suggest.
I heard all shampoos are bad to the hair
Even though the shampoos are bad I don’t care about anything, girls and guys shampoos are good to the hair, thats why it was invented. Next time think guys….
I wonder where people like Anna are from, how they were raised, etc. Hmm.
Anyway, I also have a saltwater pool and was wondering if you could shed some light onto the damage that could cause, if any. It’s been touted as having a much better effect on joint, making swimming not only enjoyable but therapeudic as well. It is also said to not be harmful to hair or skin. As another comment mentioned, it still uses chlorine.
Sodium Thiosulphate is a really good reducing agent, so it reduces the Chlorine from the pool water to Chloride ions, which can then be washed away when you rinse your hair. It’ll also reduce any oxidised metals such as nickel (which is what turns your hair green). So it’s not just a myth!
It’s a good idea to look out for Sodium Thiosulphate (EDTA is another one which might help, not sure) on the ingredients list on the anti-chlorine shampoo to make sure it’s actually going to be something that helps.