Summer is now upon us, and while the extra sun (with ample SPF in tow, of course) and sea salt can help give us that coveted summer-time glow, the warmer weather elements can also take a toll on our hair and skin. Whether it’s extra dryness or irritation across the complexion or strands that feel chalky and stiff, beach days and more specifically, pool trips, can be tough on our bodies, no matter how relaxing they may be. So, can you prevent your hair from feeling gross after a dip in the pool? What are the best products, tips and tricks for protecting your hair from chlorine? Why is chlorine so bad for your hair? If these questions are swirling your mind this summer season, you’ll want to keep reading.
Featured Experts
- Shab Caspara is a trichologist and founder of the hair-growth platform, leona.co
- Paul Labrecque is the Creative Director, Master Stylist and Colorist Paul Labrecque with Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa
Why is chlorine bad for your hair?
If you’ve ever spent hours playing mermaids in your local pool or taken a quick dip in a chlorine pool, you’re definitely familiar with the unpleasant texture your hair takes on after hitting the water. But why? “Chlorine is both a mineral and [a] bleaching agent,” Labrecque begins. “Meaning it leaves mineral deposits in the hair and can change its color. After chlorine exposure, it can often seem like your hair has a film on it when you touch it, and can also make hair extra tangly.”
Caspara adds that chlorine is also harmful to hair because of its pH properties. “Chlorine is able to raise the hair’s natural pH balance, making it more brittle and susceptible to breakage, as the chlorine itself breaks down the hair’s disulfide bonds,” she explains. Caspara also notes that “Chlorine only has the ability to damage your current hair and not any new growth, though.”
How do you protect your hair from chlorine?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so can you stop the chlorine ickiness before it starts? While the most effective way to preserve hair health would be to avoid the chlorine exposure entirely, there are ways to protect your strands so you can still enjoy your summer swims. “The best way to protect your hair from chlorine is to saturate your hair with fresh water first,” says Labrecque. “Hair that’s already wet when it is exposed won’t be able to absorb as much chlorine.” For extra protection, Labrecque recommends applying a thick, chip conditioner to your strands to fully coat them. Then, cover your head with a bathing cap before entering the water to prevent the chemicals from penetrating your hair cuticles. Caspara also endorses the conditioner method, explaining that “The silicones found in conditioner can create a barrier on the hair, making it waterproof and preventing chlorine from penetrating the cuticles.”
How do you get chlorine out of your hair?
If you’re familiar with the post-chlorine hair feel, you know that your typical shampoo routine post-pool might not cut it. “Because chlorine in hair can cause color oxidation, damage and discoloration, you should immediately shampoo your hair after swimming in order to remove any extra chlorine as well as other chemicals found in swimming pools or the ocean,” Caspara says. “A clarifying shampoo followed by a hair mask can help remove any unwanted chemicals in the hair and reseal the cuticles, and bond-building products are a great post-chlorine solution as they can repair the damaged disulfide bonds.”
In the way of clarifying shampoos, Labrecque recommends K18’s PEPTIDE PREP Color-Safe Detox Clarifying Shampoo ($38). “It’s the best,” he says. If you have any kiddos in your life, Fairytales Haircare’s Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo ($11) is specifically formulated to remove chlorine, sea salt and other summer sediments from the hair gently and effectively.
