Since I have a self-imposed ban on returning to the ESPY discussion and going insane battling Ion Beza, I have a new post. Warning - this post is odd but I have been contemplating asking the panel of experts for a few months now.
Here's my problem (one among many), I'm losing my body hair. Does anyone else have this problem who swims a lot? I'm not a nutty swimmer, probably swimming around 7-8 hours per week. mostly indoors. But, I'm telling you, I am disturbed by what has happened to me. My wife is disturbed by the neighborhood women asking her if her husband shaves his legs and dyes his hair (neither of which I do).
I really didn't notice anything until I went to a party with some co-workers and was wearing shorts. The remarks have been unlimited since then. Most commonly I am now referred to as Mr. Bigglesworth, that hairless cat from the Austin Powers movie.
In all seriousness, is this a common problem? Any tips on what I can do to reverse this or mitigate it?
Dear Aquageek -
Phil hit the nail on the head. The alkalinity in your pool is too high. I swim at a YMCA and a couple of times each year the alkalinity climbs too high and I loss all the hair on my arms, legs, chest, and other areas (i.e. pubic hair). All gone.
You can generally tell if the alkalinity is too high because your mouth will feel very chalky after you have been in the water for awhile.
Look on the bright side - sure beats shaving nicks and cuts. :)
Paul Windrath
Dear Aquageek -
Phil hit the nail on the head. The alkalinity in your pool is too high. I swim at a YMCA and a couple of times each year the alkalinity climbs too high and I loss all the hair on my arms, legs, chest, and other areas (i.e. pubic hair). All gone.
You can generally tell if the alkalinity is too high because your mouth will feel very chalky after you have been in the water for awhile.
Look on the bright side - sure beats shaving nicks and cuts. :)
Paul Windrath
