Whether you love a casual pool dip or you’re a water-loving mermaid, you’re about to discover some hairy truths about chlorine and your hair.
As a powerful disinfectant, chlorine has been a godsend for global sanitation. But we’re here to explore another side to this bug-busting chemical:
Is chlorine bad for your hair?
So far, the research from scientific studies shows that chlorine doesn’t cause hair loss in women or men — and it certainly won’t make you bald.
But chlorine can damage your hair.
Let’s take a look at how chlorine can wreak havoc on your hair, turning it dry and brittle (and even green!) — and what you can do to protect your hair without giving up your daily swims.
Wait — What Is Chlorine?
Chlorine isn’t always the Big Bad Wolf in every story. We’ve used it for centuries as a powerful disinfectant to kill microorganisms and prevent illness.
When you add it to water, it turns into an antimicrobial compound (hypochlorous acid) we use today to treat acne, disinfect wounds, and sanitise surfaces.
In Australia, we come into contact with chlorine daily when we shower or drink from a tap — the government adds small doses of chlorine to disinfect our tap water.
But when we add chlorine to swimming pools, we come into contact with higher concentrations. And the more time you spend at the pool, the more exposure you’ll have to chlorine. The more exposure, the higher the risk of hair damage.
Read our guide to learn how to grow and maintain healthy hair.
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Take the quizIs Chlorine Bad for Your Hair?
Chlorine can be bad for your hair — but serious damage only really happens if you’re repeatedly exposed to it. A casual swim at the local pool on a 30°C day won’t do much. But early morning laps every day might.
Every strand of your hair is coated in a natural oil called sebum. This oil moisturises your hair, helping it stay strong and healthy.
But chlorine strips the hair sebum. Without it, the surface of your hair shaft cracks, making your hair dry, dull, and frizzy. Frequent swims may leave you with split ends and brittle strands. Your hair can also tangle more easily, leading to further breakage.
Does Chlorine Make You Lose Hair or Go Bald?
Does swimming make you lose hair? The answer is no. This is a myth we can happily bust: Swimming in chlorinated water will not cause hair loss in men or women. It won’t make you go bald.
Find out what can cause weak hair.
Does Chlorine Make Your Hair Lighter?
Chlorine is a popular bleach. And if it lightens or bleaches the colour from paper or fabric, why shouldn’t it do the same to your hair?
A Japanese study of elite swimmers proved that chlorine can cause hair discolouration. The study found that 61% of swimmers had discoloured hair; in the non-swimming control group, no one had it.
What about ‘that’ green tint?
Chlorine oxidises metals like copper, giving them a green tint. If you’re in the pool long enough, these oxidised metals may coat your hair, turning it green too. If your hair is colour-treated, it may be more prone to the green tinge. Fortunately, you can wash out the metals (and the green) post-swim.
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5 Easy Tips to Protect Your Hair from Chlorine
No need to banish yourself from the pool for life! These simple hair-saving tips can protect your locks against the ravages of chlorine.
Wet your hair before diving in
It sounds counterintuitive but one of the best things you can do to protect your hair from chlorine is to thoroughly wet it with clean tap water before diving in.
Your hair is like a sponge, so once it’s soaked up all that clean tap water, it can’t absorb as much chlorinated water.
Wear a swim cap
A well-fitted swim cap doesn’t just help you swim faster. It’s also the best protection against chlorine, which can’t break through the material.
Don’t have a cap? Tie your hair up into a tight bun to minimise contact with chlorine.
Wash your hair immediately after a swim
At a minimum, you should rinse your hair with tap or shower water. But it’s better to give it a proper wash with shampoo and conditioner to remove as much chlorine as possible.
Towel dab and air dry
Hairdryers are only going to dry your hair out further. Dab or squeeze a microfibre towel — no rubbing! — around your hair to gently remove excess water. Then let your hair dry naturally.
Use fingers to detangle your hair
Comb your fingers through wet hair to detangle it. Wet hair is more fragile so the finger-comb helps prevent breakage. Only tie your hair up once it’s completely dry.
Learn More About Hair Loss & Hair Growth
When it comes to hair, there is a mountain of assumptions, myths, and misconceptions. Swimming makes you lose your hair? That’s just one of them.
Here at The Hairy Pill®, we’ve worked hard to clear up the confusion and help people understand exactly what’s going on up top — and what they can do about it.
Start by reading our comprehensive guide to the causes of hair loss. Or dive a little deeper into the causes of hair loss in women and men’s hair loss causes.
Just want to reverse your hair loss? Find out how.
