7 Bad Effects Chlorine Can Have On Your Skin And Hair

Swimming is a great activity to achieve good health and prevent certain circulatory, pulmonary, and locomotive systems issues.

However, not everything is great, and there are side effects to chlorine exposure that you need to know about.

In this article, we will cover common side effects from prolonged and repeated chlorine exposure and how to prevent chlorine from damaging your hair and skin in the future.

1. Chlorine exposure leads to loss of shine and flexibility in hair

Chlorine bonds to hair and removes its natural oils, causing it to alter its physical structure. The result is weak, brittle strands that are more prone to breakage and damage.

By letting your hair soak in pool water too long, you can cause your hair shafts to absorb chlorine, causing severe drying of the cuticles, which can lead to limp and lifeless hair.

2. Chlorine exposure leads to split ends and damaged strands

A study by Rafael Pires Oliveira and Ines Joekes found that the lower the PH, the greater the hair damage by chlorine is. When chlorine comes in contact with UV radiation, it causes protein and internal lipids loss, turning all types of hair lighter, and making blond hair less yellow.

3. Chlorine causes dry and flaky skin

A study by the European Journal of Sport Science found a greater probability of skin dryness in swimming pools treated with chlorine than in swimming pools using other chemical treatment methods (pools treated with bromine had similar results).

Pool chemicals can penetrate the skin and have irritating effects, resulting in the skin drying up and causing it to itch. The best way to prevent this is to create a protective layer around the skin that neutralizes pool chemical absorption.

4. Chlorine may cause premature aging

A study by Charlie Skeen found that chlorine affects how Zinc works on our body, and as a result, new DNA can’t be produced. Any interference with the activity of Zinc and new DNA production and cell replication affects every cell in the body resulting in premature aging.

5. Chlorine exposure might increase cancer risk

As previously mentioned, chlorine prevents new DNA from being produced due to how zinc works on our body when chlorine is involved. A study by Barry Halliwell found that levels of steady-state DNA damage in vivo are consistent with being a significant contributor to the age-related development of cancer.

6. Chlorine may cause respiratory health problems

The link between respiratory problems and chlorine and its disinfection by-products (DBPs) has been long established. DBPs can make children more prone to asthma and exacerbate other respiratory issues.

7. Chlorine exposure turns hair green

A study by the State University of Campinas found that chlorine oxidizes heavy metals in the water, such as copper, and will cause a green hue when absorbed by the hair. Dark-brown hair becomes redder and bleached hair less red.

How to prevent chlorine damage

As mentioned above, the best way to neutralize the absorption of chlorine in the skin and hair is to create a protective layer that neutralizes pool chemicals.

For swimmers, skin and hair care products are specially formulated to help prevent pool chemical side effects. For example:

Our Swimmer’s Shampoo is specially formulated to eliminate pool chemicals like chlorine, bromine, and sea salts, eliminate chlorine scent, help hydrate dry hair, and relieve irritated scalp post-swim.

Our Swimmer’s Conditioner is designed to be used in two ways: 

1. Before swimming: It will neutralize chlorine absorption in the hair. 
2. After swimming: It will help restore your hair’s healthy texture, eliminate chlorine scent, and hydrate dry hair.

Our Swimmer’s Body Lotion is designed to be used in two ways: 

1. Before swimming: It will neutralize chlorine absorption in the skin
2. After swimming: It will help relieve irritated skin, hydrate dry skin, and eliminate chlorine scent.

Our Swimmer’s Body Wash helps eliminate chlorine chemicals and odors on the skin, hydrate skin post-swim, and relieve irritation caused by pool chemicals.

Our Swimmer’s Face Wash helps eliminate pool chemicals and chlorine scent, relieve sunburned skin, and hydrate dry skin post-swim.

As you can see, these products are specially formulated to help protect against pool chemicals and eliminate their side effects. Use them to protect yourself when swimming.

Summary

Swimming is an excellent activity to achieve good health, but prolonged exposure to chlorine can damage hair and skin. By soaking your hair in pool water too long, you can cause chlorine to bond to your hair, making it weak and brittle.

Pool chemicals can penetrate the skin and cause a greater probability of skin dryness. Using a Swimmer's Conditioner before swimming will help neutralize chlorine absorption in the hair. And if you use it after swimming, it helps relieve irritated skin, hydrate dry skin, and eliminate chlorine scent.

Using our Swimmer's Body Lotion before swimming will help neutralize chlorine absorption in the skin. And if you use it after swimming, it helps relieve irritated skin, hydrate dry skin, and eliminate chlorine scent.