Chlorinated Water & Hair Color

Swimmer — Photo: Brook Robinson/Shutterstock

Q: I am Asian, and I used to have jet-black hair. After taking up swimming as my main hobby, my hair started to turn very brown. How should I fix and prevent this? Should I use swimmer's shampoo?

A: Using a swimmer's shampoo is an excellent start, but a complete protection routine will give you the best results.

First, invest in a high-quality silicone or latex swimming cap, making sure to tuck all of your hair underneath it. While no swim cap is completely waterproof, a snug cap drastically limits how much pool water contacts your hair. Because some leakage is inevitable, your absolute best line of defense is to prep your hair before putting the cap on:

1. Wet your hair thoroughly with clean tap water first. Hair acts like a sponge; if it is already saturated with fresh water, it will absorb far less chlorinated pool water.

2. Apply a leave-in conditioner or a lightweight hair oil. This coats the hair shaft, creating a water-repelling barrier that blocks out chlorine.

3. Smeared around the hairline and the rim of your cap, a tiny amount of petroleum jelly can help create a tighter seal to reduce water leakage.

Why is your black hair turning brown?

The chlorine in pool water strips away the hair's natural oils and swells the protective outer layer (the cuticle). Once the cuticle is compromised, chlorine acts as a chemical bleaching agent, oxidizing and breaking down the melanin pigments that give your hair its natural jet-black color. This gradually lightens dark hair to a dry, warm brown.

Furthermore, chlorine isn't the only culprit. Many pools contain dissolved metals like copper (from copper-based algaecides or plumbing). When oxidized by chlorine, these metals bind to the hair's proteins, causing discoloration and a dull, greenish cast.

Your Post-Swim Routine

To stop further damage, establish a strict post-swim routine:

• Rinse immediately: As soon as you get out of the pool, rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water; even if you don't have time to shampoo right away. The sooner you flush out the chlorine and metals, the less damage they can do.

• Use Swimmer's Shampoo: Wash with a swimmer's shampoo immediately after your session. These are specifically formulated with chelating agents that bind to and wash away chlorine and stubborn metal deposits that regular shampoos leave behind.

• Deep Condition: Swimmer's shampoos are highly clarifying and can be drying. Always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. Additionally, use a deep conditioning mask once a week to replenish lost moisture, restore shine, and smooth out rough texture.

How to Restore Your Black Hair

To correct the hair that has already turned brown, you have two great options:

• The Natural Route: You can simply let the lightened hair grow out and gradually trim the dry, damaged ends away over time.

• The Quick Fix: You can restore your rich, jet-black color using a deposit-only (semi-permanent or demi-permanent) hair color. Unlike permanent dyes, deposit-only formulas do not use harsh ammonia or heavy developers that lift the cuticle. Instead, they simply coat the hair and deposit dark pigment, making them incredibly gentle on already-vulnerable hair. For the most seamless match to your natural root color, consider having a professional stylist apply it.

If you do choose to color your hair, maintaining your pre- and post-swim routine is critical. Chlorine will fade artificial hair dye even faster than natural pigment, so keeping up with your swim cap, fresh-water pre-soaks, and chelating shampoos will ensure your restored color stays dark.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

Hair coloring

The effect of chlorine on hair

Will swimming affect my dyed hair?

Is there any way I can protect my hair from chlorine when swimming?