Learn how swimming in Australia’s well-known pools affects the health of your hair and scalp after exposure to chlorine. Learn from professionals how chlorine causes damage to hair, resulting in problems like “swimmer’s hair” and irritation of the scalp. To avoid chlorine damage, learn how to use a swim cap properly and to rinse your hair before using it. Recognize damage indicators, such as split ends and color changes, and investigate practical methods for restoring damaged hair to health. Explore this guide to gain a thorough understanding of how to keep vibrant and healthy hair in the midst of Australia’s passion for swimming.
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Australia is known for its love of the water, and swimming is a fundamental aspect of life there, whether it’s laps, lessons, or summers spent by the pool.
As per Aus Play’s research, swimming is actually one of the most popular sports in Australia, with over three million Australians participating in it on a regular basis as of 2022.
Swimming can have a disastrous effect on the health of your hair and scalp, despite the fact that it is well known for its many positive effects on health and wellbeing, including stress reduction and muscular strength building.
Read more: How to Use Derma Stamp for Hair Growth: 5 Simple Steps
How chlorine damages the hair and scalp
Head of dermatology at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sydney Dr Li-Chuen Wong says, “Chlorine is very much an alkaline product, and it really strips the sebum as well the natural oils of the skin, the hair, and the scalp.”
This damage, also referred to as “swimmer’s hair,” varies, but experts say that because it builds up over time, the risk of damage increases with exposure.
According to Lauren Drane, salon director at The Society of Hair, “people who frequently swim in chlorinated pools are most likely to have hair damage.”
“We also observe that many individuals who used overly chlorinated hotel pools as well spas upon returning from vacation suffer from chlorine damage.”
Chlorine can harm the scalp’s moisture barrier and cause irritation, dryness, and redness because it is an irritant.
While this can happen to anyone, people with scalp eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive scalps may suffer more severely and experience flare-ups with regular exposure to chlorine in swimming pools, according to Dr. Leona Yip, a consultant dermatologist and specialist in alopecia from Brisbane’s Skin Partners.
How to prevent chlorine damage
The good news is that most hair and scalp problems can be avoided with basic precautions, like wearing a swim cap that fits properly or pulling your hair back into a tight bun to reduce exposure to chlorine, says Wong.
It is also advised to pre-rinse or wet hair with regular tap or shower water prior to entering the pool, as this can serve as a barrier and reduce the amount of water that is absorbed. If you are unable to wash it right away with a mild shampoo and conditioner, you should also do this after swimming.
“It’s critical to stay away from hot water and long showers as these might exacerbate damage to the scalp moisture barrier. Take brief showers and use tepid water, advises Yip.
Yip also suggests against brushing your hair until it is completely dry after washing it because wet hair tangles easily and can get worse.
To prevent breakage, she advises using your fingers rather than a brush to gently detangle wet hair, letting it air dry fully before tying it up in a ponytail or bun, and avoiding using a towel to rub off excess moisture that could exacerbate dermatitis or dandruff.
Identifying chlorine damage
Split ends, brittle hair, frizz, or hair that breaks easily are a few indicators that your hair has been harmed by chlorine. “The hair gets more tangled and drier and starts to feel like it has a coating on it like synthetic hair, Drane claims.
According to Yip, chemical reactions with chlorine can also bleach or alter the color of hair, even uncolored, natural hair.
After swimming in a chlorinated pool, some swimmers may notice that their hair has turned green because the chlorine oxidizes the copper metal in the water that coats their hair. This is harmless and easily removed with a wash after swimming, the speaker claims.
Chlorine can also cause professional hair treatments, such as hair color and tape-applied hair extensions, to react negatively.
According to Drane, “hair that has had color treatment does weaken the hair formation, making the hair more porous.
How to nurse damaged hair back to health
There’s no need to quit swimming if there are indications of chlorine damage to your hair and scalp. Yip advises using a deep conditioning mask or leave-in moisturizer instead that contains plant-based oils as the active ingredients, such as shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil.
She claims, “These have a low risk of irritation and are hypoallergenic.”
If applied before swimming, they can also serve as a protective barrier, much like when you wet your hair with tap water, according to Drane.
Additionally, Yip advises consulting your general practitioner (GP) for assistance if you experience any symptoms of scalp irritation or redness that do not go away after a few days, as you may need to take prescription anti-inflammatory medications.Source: Sydney Morning Herald
To summarize, although swimming is a popular pastime in Australia, it is important to acknowledge the negative effects of chlorine on hair and scalp health. The potential harm, commonly known as “swimmer’s hair,” can lead to issues like split ends, fragility, and scalp irritation. Understanding the alkaline properties of chlorine and its ability to strip natural oils highlights the necessity for preventive measures. Wearing properly fitting swim caps, rinsing with tap water beforehand, and using gentle shampoos and conditioners after swimming are practical approaches to minimize chlorine-induced damage. By recognizing signs of damage, such as changes in color or brittleness, individuals can take proactive steps, such as utilizing deep conditioning masks infused with plant-based oils. By adopting these precautions, Australians can enjoy swimming while maintaining vibrant and healthy hair.
