How to protect hair and skin from pool chemicals

A pool can provide a welcome respite from the heat and humidity. Taking a daily dip in a pool is great cardiovascular exercise and can help relieve stress. The chemicals used to keep pool water fresh and clean may wreak havoc on hair and skin, however.

Chlorine is one of the most widely used substances for water purification. It is often added to public water supplies to kill off pathogens that have the potential to cause illness. Variations of chlorine are used in pool filtration to ensure the water is clean and safe for swimming. Chlorine reduces bacteria and other contaminants, and may also help keep algae growth under control.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that chlorine kills bacteria such as E. coli in about a minute if it is maintained at proper disinfection levels (1 to 3 parts per million [ppm] free chlorine) and under ideal water conditions (pH at 7.5 or less; temperature at 77 F [25 C] or more) throughout the pool. However, a few germs are moderately (Giardia and Hepatitis A) to highly (Cryptosporidium) chlorine-tolerant.

Although chlorine is very good at purifying the water people drink and bathe in, too much of a good thing can prove troublesome. Oftentimes, chlorine -- especially in high amounts -- can affect the hair and skin of people who regularly use pools.

Hair

Chlorinated water that is also high in copper may form a chemical reaction that turns hair green. The chlorine reacts with the copper to form a compound that is green in hue. This can attach to the porous hair shaft and give hair a green tinge. The green is especially obvious in light-colored hair.

Chlorine is harsh and caustic, while hair is porous. Dry hair that becomes saturated with chlorine-treated water can eventually have salt crystals locked inside, which leads to breakage. Washing hair directly after swimming may help rinse off external chlorine, but it will not adequately remove chlorine locked inside follicles. Hair may need to be soaked for several minutes in fresh water. Hair that is prone to dryness may become more dry from chlorine.

Swimmers can wear a waterproof swimming cap to prevent against chlorine damage. If this option isn't available, soaking hair in fresh water to saturate hair shafts and then applying a barrier, such as conditioner combed through the hair, can help repel some of the chlorinated water and protect against damage.

Hair that has turned green from pool water may need to be treated with special shampoos or strippers to remove the chlorine-copper compounds. Cutting off the green areas may be an easier solution.

Skin

Chlorine is caustic, and high concentrations can burn the skin. Individuals with sensitive skin may be even more susceptible to rashes and burns from chlorinated pools.

To prevent skin irritation, keep chlorine levels in pool water as low as possible. Applying a waterproof sunscreen or lotion to the skin prior to swimming may also serve as an additional line of defense. There are commercially made products that are designed specifically for application prior to getting in the pool. Because they are waterproof, they will not wash off in the pool or foul up water.

Public pools with a high volume of swimmers tend to have more chlorine in them than backyard pools at private residences. This is evidenced by the strong and often overwhelming aroma of chlorine in the vicinity of the public pool. The effects of chlorine can be seen by the bleaching and wearing away of rope barriers and floats that are constantly in the pool. If this is what is occurring to plastic and vinyl, imagine what is being done to skin and hair. Covering up as much as possible can help protect the skin from the harmful effects of chlorine.