How To Repair Damaged Hair From Chlorine
Contrary to popular myth, regular exposure to chlorine won’t leave you looking like The Grinch. But the popular pool chemical is far from innocent. Whether from your showerhead or the local swimming pool, chlorinated water can result in significant damage to your hair, leaving it dry, porous, weak, and discolored.
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Like any disinfectant, chlorine is meant to remove dirt and bacteria. Pour it on your head and it’ll also remove the natural oils that your scalp produces to protect and moisturize your hair. Chlorine isn’t exactly good for your skin either, as numerous studies have linked it to irritation, which leads to the worsening of conditions like acne and eczema.
So, what can you do to repair chlorine damage and how can you avoid it moving forward? Read on to find out.
Who is at Risk of Chlorine Damage?
The short answer is that everyone is at risk of chlorine damage. Even if you don’t swim, your tap water contains high amounts of chlorine as a result of the chemical’s usage in treatment plants. That said, some hair types are sensitive to more severe chlorine damage, namely:
- Permed, relaxed or color-treated hair
- Dry hair
- Thin or fine hair
- Hair that was previously damaged
If you fall into any of these categories, then it’s especially important to know how you can prevent chlorine from causing any more harm to your hair.
How can I Prevent Chlorine-Damaged Hair?
Before your jump into any pool, it’s a good idea to saturate your hair with clean water. This will reduce its ability to absorb chlorine. Of course, wearing a swim cap will make a major difference. Rinsing your hair with clean water and shampoo after a swim is also recommended.
But what about the chlorinated water that comes out of your taps at home? You can install a filter into your showerhead to prevent the bulk of the damage. Using micellar water to wash your face is also an option. The most affordable and effective solution to rid all of your water sources of chlorine is to install a home water filtration system.
You can find a variety of different types on websites such as Discount Filter Store. This way, your drinking water will also be immeasurably cleaner, and you won’t have to spend money on bottled water.
How do I Fix Chlorine Damage?
Chlorine-damaged hair is characterized by a dry, frizzy, bleached-out look and feel. It also tends to become tangled easily. Your hairstylist might be able to recommend some appropriate treatments based on your unique hair type. Clarifying shampoos are another option, as well as an apple cider vinegar rinse. Protein treatments also work.
Many people opt for a bi-weekly deep conditioning treatment, which is meant to seal-in moisture and prevent split ends. You can achieve a similar effect with coconut oil. Of course, prevention is better than cure, so be sure to avoid further exposure to any chlorinated water.
If you have chlorine-damaged hair, it’s not the end of the world. Taking a few measures to repair it and avoiding chlorine moving forward will get your hair looking strong and shiny in no time.
