Hair and swimming pools: what are the effects?

Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant used in most swimming pools to keep the water clean. However, it can have very damaging effects on your hair. Chlorine strips away the natural oils from your scalp and hair, which can lead to dryness and make your hair more brittle.

It weakens and dries out the hair shaft: Chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils and breaks down keratin proteins, leaving it dry and brittle. This dryness often leads to split ends and makes hair difficult to style.

It alters the colour of coloured and blonde hair: Chlorine can alter hair colour, particularly in blonde hair, which can turn green due to copper residues in the chemicals used in swimming pools. Chemically coloured hair loses its shine more quickly and requires frequent touch-ups.

It makes the hair duller: By stripping away natural oils, chlorine reduces the hair’s ability to reflect light, causing it to lose its shine. The hair’s texture also becomes rough and less pleasant to the touch after coming into contact with swimming pool water. 

It irritates the scalp: Chlorine can irritate the scalp, causing itching, redness and flaking similar to dandruff.

It builds up and clogs the hair follicles: Chlorine builds up on the hair, forming a layer that is difficult to remove with ordinary shampoo. The hair follicles then become clogged, making the hair even drier and harder to style.

It damages permed hair: Hair that has been permed is already weakened by the chemicals used to alter its structure. Exposure to chlorine can weaken the hair further and make the curls less defined and more prone to breakage.

As chlorine causes significant damage to hair fibres, protective treatments are essential to maintain your hair’s moisture levels and prevent it from becoming porous. Here are our summer essentials:

Argan oil

Argan oil, rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, nourishes and protects your hair from the drying effects of chlorine. Apply a few drops to your hair, particularly the ends, before going for a swim, to act as a physical barrier.

Olive oil

Thanks to its high content of fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, olive oil forms a protective layer around each strand of hair. This natural barrier helps to retain moisture and prevent dryness by stopping chlorine and other chemicals from penetrating and causing damage.

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is ideal for protecting your hair from chlorine. It penetrates deep into the hair shaft and creates a protective barrier. Apply a small amount to dry hair before going to the swimming pool, paying particular attention to the ends.

Here’s our protective routine so you can swim stress-free and look after your hair this summer: 

1. As part of your daily routine, the first step is to use a gentle shampoo enriched with Keratin’protect. This active ingredient, made from kelp extract, enhances the hair’s appearance, protects against heat and prevents dehydration.  

2. Before taking a dip, wet your hair with fresh water before applying a protective oil or our Nourishing & Detangling Solid Conditioner made with organic shea butter, castor oil and cocoa. This will create a protective barrier against chlorine.  

3. While swimming: All you need to do is have fun and enjoy the moment! Our tip? A swimming cap can help to limit contact with the water.

4. For extra protection, rinse your hair immediately with clean water after swimming to remove any chlorine residue, let it air-dry, and apply a serum containing our Hair Protection Active, Abyssinian oil extract, which is rich in phytosterols with conditioning properties that coat hair fibres. Reapply as needed.

To make sure you’re properly protecting your hair from the effects of chlorine and the chemicals in the water, you can combine a swimming cap with plant-based oils. Apply olive or argan oil to the lengths of your hair and cover your head with a swimming cap.

Laura is a health, beauty and lifestyle writer. Passionate about travel and gastronomy, she shares nutritional advice on combining pleasure and wellness. Through her articles, she aims to provide meaningful information and practical advice to nourish both body and mind.