If you are a swimmer and you use shampoo, then it is important for your hair to be healthy. But with chlorine in the water, how can you avoid damaging your hair? Shampoo for swimmer is specifically designed for swimming & other aquatic activities will help keep your hair shiny and healthy. Chlorine is not good for anyone’s hair so getting shampoo that deters this chemical from penetrating the scalp would be a wise decision.
Why is there chlorine in pool water?
Chlorine is added to pool water for a numbers of reasons:
- To kill bacteria and other pathogens, which can be harmful.
- To provide cleanliness by removing oils from the skin that could cause stains on both people and floors of pools.
- It helps sanitize equipment in the pool such as filters or chlorinators (the machines used to produce chlorine).
- To kills algae in swimming pools so it does not grow out of control.
Chlorine plays an important role in keeping public restrooms clean, hospitals safe against germs, school kitchens germ free…
How can chlorine kill bacteria & pathogens?
Chlorine kills bacteria and pathogens in water through a process called oxidation. When chlorine is added to the pool, it oxidizes bacteria & algae cells which are naturally occurring microorganisms present in pools. Chlorine also reacts with contaminants such as bather waste, fertilizers, animal urine or sweat on swimmers’ bodies. This reaction creates compounds that can be removed by conventional filtration systems along with other dirt particles found in swimming pools.
How will chlorine affect your hair?
The chlorine in swimming pools can damage your hair and scalp. The chemical makeup of chlorine is such that it will dry out and irritate the skin, nose, eyes, ears and throat (among other things). This means that if you swim a lot or use an indoor pool for exercise purposes – which are both very common nowadays- then there’s a high likelihood of experiencing some form of discomfort from using these facilities.
So what does this have to do with our hair? Well as we know all too well by now: “hair care” starts at the roots. When chlorine mixes with sweat on your head, water gets pushed into strands where residue builds up causing breakage and discoloration over time. This phenomenon is commonly known as swimmer’s hair. What’s more, chlorine can also dry out your scalp which can result in infections and hair loss.
Tips for removing chlorine from your hair?
To be honest, there no sure way to remove chlorine from your hair & scalp. Each person has different chemical signature, so it’s best to combine the methods below to find out which methods work best for your body:
- Carry a travel shampoo for swimmer with you to the pool. It is much lighter than carrying an entire bottle of shampoo
- Rinse thoroughly in cold water after swimming, which will help remove some of the chlorine from your hair.
- If possible, use a clarifying shampoo before or afterwards to get out even more of that nasty chemical stuff clinging onto your locks!
- Use a deep conditioner after swimming to help repair the damage that chlorine and salt water can cause.
- Try washing your hair at least twice in a row with shampoo, rather than just one time – this will remove more chemicals from your hairs!
- Rinse well or use an apple cider vinegar rinse (think about half of an apple cider vinegar bottle for every two cups hot water) before conditioning. The acidity level is what helps strip out some of those nasty ingredients so they don’t stick around for too long on your head!
- Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to conditioner! Chlorine can dry out strands so make sure it doesn’t leave them brittle by putting on moisturizing conditioners.
What to look inside a shampoo for swimmer
- Look for the words “sulfate free” on shampoo bottles. These are usually found in shampoos made specifically for swimmers
- Avoid products that have buildup or weigh hair down, as these will make swimming more difficult and also inhibit oxygen from reaching your scalp
- Look for shampoos that are specifically made to work with chlorine, which will help your hair resist the damaging effects of swimming
- Avoid shampooing too often (at least twice a week), as this can dry out and damage your scalp and encourage damaged hair fibers
- If you have long or thick curly locks, look for shampoo products that contain natural oils like coconut oil or olive oil. These conditioners will keep frizz down without weighing down fine strands
Shampoo for swimmers that we prefer
There are several brands that make shampoo & conditioners that are specifically target swimmer; UltraSwim, Malibu C, TriSwim to name a few that we prefer. There are some haircare brands that also produce shampoo & condition for swimmers such as Paul Mitchel or SoCozy.
Final thoughts
Shampoo can be a tricky thing. You want something that will remove all of the chlorine and salt water from your hair, but you also don’t want it to dry out your locks or strip away any natural oils on top of your hair & scalp. It’s important for our hair (especially if we have long ones) to stay moisturized so that it doesn’t break and lose its natural luster.