The hot summer season has taken a toll on all of us. One of the best ways to cool off this summer has to be swimming. The cool water will help you relax and even be a great way to get some exercise done. While everyone loves swimming, it also might be the reason for your bad hair.
All swimming pools have chlorine mixed in the water. It acts as a disinfectant by killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. While chlorine is a great way to keep all the swimmers protected from various infections and diseases, it can also be the culprit behind your hair damage.
How does swimming give you hair damage?
The most common cause of hair damage from swimming is caused by chlorine in the pool. If you are going for a swim in any natural body of water, your hair won’t face any harsh damage.
- Strips your hair of natural oils: While chlorine is responsible for keeping your pool clean, it also strips your hair of its natural oils (sebum). These natural oils are meant to keep your hair moisturised, hydrated and manageable. The chlorine will make your hair go from silky smooth to brittle.
- Discolouration of hair: If you have light, blonde hair or have just gotten your hair coloured, stay away from the pool. The chlorine reacts with minerals like copper in the water and can bring a greenish tint to your hair.
- Scalp irritation: Chlorine is a great disinfectant for swimming pools, but it can also make your scalp dry out. Your dry scalp will cause irritation, itchiness, redness or even flakiness.
- Protein damage: Your hair has proteins, known as keratin, which will weaken your hair structure with the chlorine reaction in the pool. A weak hair structure will make your hair more susceptible to breakage and split ends.
While hair damage is something that comes with swimming in the summer, you can take preventive measures to avoid this. Your hair will thank you for keeping it protected from the chlorine in swimming pools.