Chlorine in swimming pools can definitely break off hair
Former Member
Take it from me. Every week for 10 years I swim 4 times a week indoors and in the summer, everyday outdoors. My wife and I noticed that my body hair (chest, arms and legs) seemed to all but vanish in the winter months when I swam indoors at the Y, but during the summer, it would return. This may be laughable for some, but my body hair is not grizzly bear ugly--it is attractive and we both miss it when it "disappears." We realized that it breaks off from the indoor pool so that it looks like it has vanished. This also makes my skin really dry. No amount of lotions or conditioners helps. The Y staff does not take my problem seriously. Anyone comment?
To add to this, the water is often too warm--88 degrees! Old men and women, especially, complain LOUDLY when the water is below 86 degrees!! I claim that the warmer the water, the more chlorine must be added to the pool, which makes it very bad for the skin and hair, and maybe worse. Naturally, at 88 degrees it is very difficult to exercise healthfully. But the YMCA treats the arthritis class members specially for some reason. I say that arthritis sufferers need to MOVE, not float in hot water to feel better. What do you think?
I don't know about the hair falling out, though most of mine is permanently gone, alas. But the warmer the water, the faster is will lose the chlorine. Maybe not enough to affect the percentages in the water, but probably enough to affect the air in the pool area; making your eyes itch etc.
Maybe your Y is adding something extra to the pool?
Probably the dye the turns blue when it detects urine, like that Adam Sandler movie from last year. :)
There are lots of pools that cater to the old folks. I've found a couple that openly admit to cater to their Masters program and keep their pool at 82 to accommodate the cold water seeking lap swimmers. If your complaints aren't getting through to the pool staff, make the move to another pool if you can, that is a little more reasonable.
Yep, the warmer the pool is the more chlorine they have to add because bacteria and germs love the warmer water and grow faster. I feel pretty fortunate that our Y has its SCY pool temps in the 70s most days; but we have a smaller therapy pool on the facility which is quite a bit warmer and it feels like the air in there could singe your nose hairs, the smell of chlorine is so strong. But that's where the arthritis sufferers mostly end up.
Former Member
let us know how we can make our hair break off. i would shave my head every day if it wasnt such a pain in the ass. i would love to just break the hair off my head and keep it bald:)
This may be laughable for some, but my body hair is not grizzly bear ugly--it is attractive and we both miss it when it "disappears."
You're right, this is funny. :)
I've never noticed any body hair loss due to swimming. I agree that it suggests a poor balance of pool chemicals. I don't think I'd want to swim in a pool that causes my hair to fall out!
let us know how we can make our hair break off. i would shave my head every day if it wasnt such a pain in the ass. i would love to just break the hair off my head and keep it bald:)
The product is called "Nair"
