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How is Your Hair Affected by Chlorine?
Chlorine is made up of small molecules that can easily penetrate and become trapped in the hair cuticle layer. Hair is like a sponge for chemicals in water. The inner structure of hair contains sulfur bonds that react with chlorine, causing it to be readily absorbed.n
Chlorine causes both short-term and long-lasting damage to strands. Some ways chlorine affects hair health:
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Dryness
– Chlorine is very drying and strips moisture from hair, causing brittle strands.
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Frizz
– When moisture is reduced, hair cuticles lift and cause out-of-control frizz.
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Dry scalp
– Chlorine dehydrates the scalp and can cause flaking and itchiness.
Factors that affect how long chlorine clings to hair
Sun exposure – The sun degrades chlorine in hair, so outside pools may cause it to linger longer.
Hair type – Porous, damaged, or color-treated hair tends to absorb and retain chlorine more than healthy, virgin hair.
Ethnicity – African American hair – Tends to be very porous and absorb chlorine easily. Coiling shape makes thorough rinsing difficult. Chlorine can linger for several washes. Asian hair – Often straight, fine, and smooth. Cuticle doesn’t absorb as much chlorine but still damaged by drying effects. Easier to rinse out.
Bleaching – This process opens up the cuticle and makes hair more porous, allowing chlorine to penetrate deeper and linger longer. Bleached hair needs extra protection.
Perming – Breaking and reforming the hair bonds leaves hair weaker and more porous after perming. Chlorine can penetrate deeper into the damaged areas and stick around longer.
Preventing Chlorine Damage to your Hair
Wet it First
Wet your hair before swimming. Saturating it with clean water first gives the chlorine less opportunity to penetrate and absorb into your hair. You could even coat it with a little leave-in conditioner too.
Wear a Cap
Wear a swim cap. This forms a physical barrier between your hair and the chlorine.
Precondition your Hair
Apply a moisturizing conditioner or mask to your hair after swimming. The extra moisture can help counteract the drying effects of chlorine. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes before rinsing.
Use a clarifying shampoo periodically
This removes any built-up chlorine and chemical residue from hair. Avoid over-washing, though, which can cause extra dryness.
Use Oil
Coating your hair in oil creates a barrier that prevents the chlorine from penetrating into the hair shaft. Oils also seal in moisture. Oils like coconut, olive, almond, jojoba and argan are great options. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends of hair. You can apply the oil before swimming, or even bring some oil in a small bottle to reapply after.
Strengthen Your Hair
Use a strengthening shampoo and conditioner that contains proteins like keratin or collagen. These can help reinforce the hair shaft. Get trims regularly to remove split ends before they travel up the hair shaft.
Tips for Repairing the Chlorine Damage
Do a deep conditioning hair mask.
Look for one with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or argan oil. Let it soak into your hair for at least 15-20 minutes before rinsing. The mask will help restore moisture lost due to the drying effects of chlorine.
Use a clarifying shampoo.
This will remove built-up chlorine, minerals, and product residue that may be left over on your hair and scalp after swimming. Be sure to follow with conditioning.
Get a reparative hair treatment.
Salon treatments like Brazilian Blowouts, Olaplex, or keratin treatments use active ingredients that repair broken bonds and smooth the hair cuticle. This leaves hair looking shinier and helps prevent further damage.