A nice swim in the pool is the perfect way to cool off from the summer heat. But, there’s a chance you might step out of the water with unsightly green highlights. Especially if you have light-colored hair, green tint is a typical summer problem. But never fear, there are some ways to prevent and get rid of it, so you can enjoy the season and the activities that come with it.
First, it’s a common misconception that green hair comes from chlorine in pool water, but it actually comes from the mineral deposits like copper. While chlorine can damage hair, it’s the copper that causes the color to change.
To prevent the green, you can rinse hair before you get in the pool, which binds the hair and makes it harder for the deposits to get to it. You could also wear a swim cap while you’re in the pool and rinse your hair with fresh water as soon as you exit.
You could also deep condition your hair before you swim. This will give it a protective barrier against the chlorine and heavy metals that cause damage.
If you already have a green tint, you can reverse it. First, use a shampoo with gold tones in it, like Bumble and Bumble Color Support Shampoo for golden blondes ($23). This will help to counteract the green tint.
There are also treatments specified to reverse damage from pool water, such as Malibu C Swimmers Natural Wellness Treatment ($42). If that’s not enough, you can always go to your salon as most offer deep-clarifying treatments that help rid your hair of green highlights.