How to Protect Hair from Chlorine

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BY Unknown 8:27 AM 0

How to Protect Hair from Chlorine

With winter finally out the door (can we get a high five?), we know you'll soon be headed to the pool to soak up the warmer weather and up your fitness game (check out these benefits of swimming). Just be sure to give your hair some extra love—the damage from the copper and chlorine in pool water is no myth: "When copper oxidizes against the hair shaft, it creates a green tint, which is especially visible on blond hair." And the chlorine? "It dries out and dulls the hair by stripping natural oils from the scalp and hair shaft," she says, which roughs up smooth hair cuticles and makes them stick out. Translation: Chlorine makes your hair sticky, reduces shine, and strips it of hair dye.

But not to fret! We've got the scoop on how to protect hair from chlorine, so you can keep on enjoying your sunny pool days—gorgeous hair included.

Rinse with Fresh Water

"The goal is to keep pool water away from the hair shafts". Saturate your hair with fresh water before diving in to slow down the direct access of pool water, she advises. Hit the showers every half hour during longer pool days to re-rinse during and after swimming.

Coat with Coconut oil

"Coconut oil (or your hair oil of choice) coats hair with a water-resistant shield that protects it from chlorine and copper". Leave it in while swimming to help prevent chlorine damage.

Read more:

The Surprising Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Wear a Swim Cap

Caps aren't just for the pros, peeps. They're especially important if your hair is naturally dry, chemically treated, or already breaking from hot styling tools. Chlorine is more powerful on weaker hair.

Use Extra Conditioner

"During weeks of heavy chlorine exposure, using more conditioner than usual will protect the hair before swimming and repair it afterwards". We also recommends using hot-oil repair treatments and leave-in conditioners to give your hair extra hydration and shine.

Try a Jojoba Oil Shampoo

It'll remove that green-hair tint. If the shampoo is successful in removing it after one treatment, reusing it is optional, but we recommends applying daily if you're jumping in on the reg.

Grab your Jojoba Shampoo!Go here!

Go Natural

Put down the hot styling tools, ladies! Let your hair air-dry and resist the urge to try out a new summer shade. "This will keep the hair cuticle as smooth as possible, which helps the hair shaft to resist penetration by harsh chlorine and greenifying copper".