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As temperatures rise, I find myself longing for a cool dip in the pool.
Swimming is by far my favorite summer activity. It’s a total-body workout that’s easy on the joints, and makes me leaner, healthier, and more active.
There’s one thing I don’t love about swimming: chlorine. If I’m not careful, it can turn my skin itchy and red, and my hair dry and brittle. Since I swim almost every day during the summer, chlorine also shreds and fades my swimsuits long before the season ends.
And on top of that, I’m currently worried about destroying my freshly-colored hair. So I did some research and product-testing to find out what really works. This is what I’ve learned.
Slap on some hair product
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in the water. This keeps you from getting sick from E. coli and other nasty germs, but it also strips out the natural oils that protect your hair from damage and daily wear. Since I don’t want my hair to turn into hay, I’ve learned to coat my strands with hair product before I jump into the pool. Oil and silicone-based products are best. I’ve used silicone-based hair serum, the type meant to calm frizzies and protect hair from heat-styling. Another option is coconut oil, which also delivers shine and moisture to my parched locks. Other products on the market are designed particularly for this problem. I’m currently using Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil ($22). It contains castor oil, and protects hair from the damaging effects of sun, salt, and chlorine.
Get wet and protect your head
Just before I jump into the swimming pool, I like to douse my hair in the shower. This helps slow down the absorption of chlorine because your hair is like a sponge, and will take on less water when it’s wet. Then, I tuck my strands into a latex or silicone swim cap. I know that it won’t block the water completely, but again, it slows down the process.
Stock up on specialty hair cleansers
Some swimmers reek of pool chemicals even after showering and moving on to other activities. This is because chlorine chemically bonds to hair and skin, so you may need more than plain soap and water to wash it out. You can buy a specialty shampoo designed to get rid of chlorine and mineral deposits like copper, which can turn your hair green. I’ve used a product called Triswim ($11), and it makes my hair feel soft while adding volume. It smells of citrus, which also helps remove the scent of chlorine. Malibu Swimmers Water Action Wellness Shampoo ($12) is another option. It doubles as a body wash and is gentle enough to use every day.
Opt for all-natural remedies
It’s cost-effective to use apple cider vinegar, which acts as a natural clarifier. Just add one part vinegar to four parts water and pour it over freshly-washed hair. Then, do a final rinse. You can also mix up a Citrus Lift for your parched locks. The carbonation in the club soda and the acid in the citrus juices work together to detox your hair and remove impurities like dirt, chlorine, and salt. If this sounds like too much work and you’re not the DIY type, you can get concentrated vitamin C in a bottle from SwimSpray. I’ve tried this product and while it hasn’t been very good for my hair, I’ve found it to be a quick and easy way to zap the stink out of my swim gear.
Pamper your skin
If you stay in the pool for too long, you’ll get dry, chalky skin, and sometimes a red, itchy rash. The culprit again, is chlorine, which strips away the surface layer of oil that usually locks the moisture into your skin. You can’t do much about it in the water, but once you exit the pool, go straight to the shower, take off your suit and flush the chemicals out of your skin with plenty of soap and water. If you have sensitive skin or the pool happens to be highly chlorinated, you might want to use a specialty body wash ($11) and lotion ($11) from Triswim. They work together to neutralize chlorine, remove odors and add moisture to the skin.
Keep your eyes healthy, too
Contact lenses can absorb water like a sponge, just like your hair. This is bad news since prolonged exposure to chlorine can irritate the surface of your corneas, causing red, itchy eyes. If you’re like me and need corrective lenses to see six inches in front of your face, you’ll need to toss your contact lenses as soon as you exit the pool. I’m finding it to be cost-effective to stock up on daily contacts that I can use just for swimming, while using monthlies for everything else.
Another option is to purchase prescription swim goggles. You may not know this, but they are surprisingly affordable. Prices range from $20 to $60, depending on the brand. You can get them from Speedo, but I like Aquagoggles because they make it easy to customize the prescription for each eye.
Take care of your swimwear
Frequent swimmers know that chlorine can damage not only your skin and hair, but also your swimsuit. In time, the fabric will shred, the color will fade, and the elastic will break down. It can also turn your white suit yellow. The next time you shop for a new swimsuit, it’s a good idea to check the tag to see if it is chlorine — and fade — resistant. A high spandex content is a plus, since it will help your suit keep its shape. You can also check for a satisfaction guarantee. Lands’ End has this policy, and it covers all of its swimwear.
Here’s a final tip. Adding a few tablespoons full of vinegar to your wash will help neutralize chlorine, eliminate the smell, and even stop discoloration. If you’re willing to splurge, you can buy a specialty detergent like Summer Solutions Suit Solutions ($8). A little goes a long way. I like to pour two small capfuls into a gallon-size Ziploc bag with an expandable bottom, and bring it with me to the pool. When I’m done swimming, I’ll pop my suit into the Ziploc, fill it with water and swish it around a couple of times. Since it has a wide bottom, I can let the bag sit while I shower and get dressed. Then I’ll empty out the water and rinse out the suit before I take it home. It’s an extra step that I have to add to my routine, but it saves me from having to walk home with a tote full of wet swim gear that reeks of chlorine.
* Note: I received samples from Triswim and SwimSpray to review for this post
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