does chlorine damage your hair?

Former Member
Former Member
I do not know much about the negative effect of chlorine and was wondering if it damages your hair and contributes to the receding hair or whatnot at all.Do swimming caps actually protect you from that, 'cause it seems like when I take it off after the practice, my hair is all wet, as if I was not wearing anything. Just wanna keep my full head of hair :-))) Thanks.
  • I have been swimming for eleven years now and I think chlorine actually helps my hair. I have really long thick hair and chlorine gives me nice highlights. I have always heard that chlorine strips everything out of your hair which is why a lot of swimmers have very dry hair. My advice is to always wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner after swimming. This removes the chlorine so the chlorine won't dry your hair out. A cap will protect your hair, a lot of women put conditioner in their hair and then put a cap on because the conditioner makes it harder for the chlorine to bond to the hair. Most men don't wear caps and those that do, I have never asked about conditioner. Another technique when using a cap is to get your hair wet with "fresh" water first and then put on a cap. I usually use this method. Even with a tight fitting cap, there are always going to be places that will get wet with chlorinated water. Good luck and I am serious that I like chlorine in my hair. I usually warmdown without a cap because the chlorine strips any leftover shampoo and conditioner out of my hair. I have brown hair that has red and blond highlights from being in the water six to seven hours a day. It is a cheap way to get highlights.
  • Why did we all have shiny green or silver hair when we were younger? I swim a lot now and my hair doesn't seem to do that. Are chemicals better? Shampoo products better?
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Maybe your hair was more on the blonde side as a child? And now you're a brunette? I wear a cap all the time BUT I do like the free color that is provided by the interaction of the water and my natural color. I like my summer color better than my winter--sun + chlorine = natural looking streaks and highlights! Also--as an adult you know you should wash your hair after swimming and as a kid--well--you were a kid!!!
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    No. Only my sinus and ears.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Originally posted by pmbchill Why did we all have shiny green or silver hair when we were younger? I swim a lot now and my hair doesn't seem to do that. Are chemicals better? Shampoo products better? I have to say that I am a blonde and have never had green hair. Even as a child. I never could understand why people say that blonde hair will turn green in chlorine. My daughter has blonde hair and her never turns green either.
  • Last time I was getting my hair cut, my hairdresser told me my hair was splitting due to chlorine. I'm sure that has been happening all my life, she was just the first to notice. Now I put a leave-in conditioner in my hair before getting in. I hope it helps. Guess I'll find out at my next hair cut.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Chlorine is actually a bleach...hence the white spots on clothes when you spill some on them. The reason peoples hair turns green has to do with the amount of copper residue in the water. High concentrations of copper will bind with hair and turn it green.:D
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Tracy: Here I am thinking it was because they had a cold.........
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Tom, that would only produce green racing stripes......:D
  • I've always wondered if chlorine/pool chemicals get a bad rep undeservedly. Seems that even without chemicals, dipping yourself in water for 1-2 hours 5-7X weekly is gonna do some strange things to skin and hair.
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