Chlorine in swimming pools can definitely break off hair

Former Member
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?