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?
I haven't noticed any change in hair quantity or behavior in the past 15 months of daily pool swimming I've been engaged in.
But one thing very bizarre I did notice was hair growing on the palms of my hands. Could this be related to chlorine somehow?
...But one thing very bizarre I did notice was hair growing on the palms of my hands. Could this be related to chlorine somehow?
All the time, or just during a full moon? :D
ALL my hair is turning blond or white.
With the weight I've lost it sure makes for a 'new look'. Not too bad overall.
I have some annoying tangles in my hair after a swim, but my biggest issue is that often my back and/or shoulders itch like crazy for a while. Sometimes coming and going later that night.
Gyaaahhhhhh
-eric
Every year around this time our masters team switches to our local High School pool (Mission Viejo) and every year by Thanksgiving I have lost most of the hair on my body.
The pool tastes like a dirty Martini...
I think it is the badge of the Master's swimmer...
I never had this problem in the 70's in high school. I was in the pool 5 days a week for at least an hour a day, and never noticed any issues with hair loss.
Now, fast-forward 35+ years later. I have been swimming at least 3 days a week for the past two months, and lo and behold -- I have definitely noticed a loss of hair on my face, legs, and arms (including underarms). Not that I am complaining, mind you. Being a mature woman, I'm glad to have some help with that excess facial hair. :D
I always shower before getting into the pool. The hair on my head seems just fine, I have all of my eyebrows and eyelashes, and the hairs "down under" are all accounted for. :blush:
I'm guessing that today's chemicals have changed somewhat since my younger days, which may explain the hair loss in my case.
ALL my hair is turning blond or white.
With the weight I've lost it sure makes for a 'new look'. Not too bad overall.
I have some annoying tangles in my hair after a swim, but my biggest issue is that often my back and/or shoulders itch like crazy for a while. Sometimes coming and going later that night.
Gyaaahhhhhh
-eric
Eric, I also had major problems with itching (i.e., pool rash) after returning to swimming after a long absence. I got some great advice on remedies when I searched the forum.
I have found two products that really help. The first is Dermaswim Pro pre-swimming lotion. You apply it before you swim and it blocks the chorline. It really does work. The other is Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion. I use it every day and my skin looks nicer than it has in years. Most importantly, no more itching!!
Of the two, I actually prefer the Aveeno. You can buy it just about anywhere (i.e., Target, Walgreens, WalMart) and it's less expensive than the Dermaswim. However, if I was planning on being in the pool for more than a couple of hours, I would definitely use the Dermaswim. It's very similar to Aveeno, but it is very long-lasting.
In a 4 month period, most body hair turned blonde and fell out, then grew back black like at puberty, and is turning blonde and falling out again! They could use me to test the pool chemistry!
:bighug:
