As summer beckons with long days spent in the sun and pool, protecting your skin and hair becomes more important than ever. While sunscreen handles UV rays, chlorine presents a unique challenge for hair health—often leaving it dry, tangled, and brittle after a swim. Fortunately, experts share practical advice to help keep your strands strong and vibrant all season long.
Why Chlorine Damages Hair
Chlorine is a necessary disinfectant in pools, but it’s also a powerful chemical that can wreak havoc on hair. “Chlorine is both a mineral and a bleaching agent,” explains hair expert Labrecque. “It leaves mineral deposits in the hair and can alter its color.” He adds that chlorine exposure often creates a filmy texture, leaving hair feeling stiff and more prone to tangling.
Stylist Caspara expands on this, pointing out that chlorine disrupts the natural pH balance of the hair. “It raises the pH level, making hair more brittle and susceptible to breakage by damaging the hair’s disulfide bonds,” she says. The good news? This kind of damage only affects the existing hair, not new growth.
Essential Hair Care Steps Before Swimming
Avoiding pools entirely may be the most effective strategy, but that’s not realistic for most summer lovers. Instead, experts recommend smart pre-swim preparation as part of your regular hair care steps.
“The best way to protect your hair from chlorine is to saturate it with fresh water first,” advises Labrecque. When your hair is already wet, it absorbs less chlorinated water. For added protection, he suggests applying a thick conditioner to your hair before swimming. This coats the hair shaft, creating a physical barrier that resists chlorine absorption.
Caspara echoes this approach, noting that the silicones in many conditioners “make hair waterproof and help prevent chlorine from penetrating the cuticle.” She also recommends using a swim cap for maximum defense.
Post-Swim Recovery: How to Remove Chlorine from Hair
Even with preventive measures, post-swim care is essential for maintaining healthy hair. “Immediately shampoo your hair after swimming,” Caspara urges. This helps remove not just chlorine but also other harsh pool chemicals and sea salt.
For best results, use a clarifying shampoo followed by a hydrating mask. “This will detox the hair, reseal cuticles, and help restore the natural structure,” Caspara explains. Bond-building products are particularly effective in repairing disulfide bonds damaged by chlorine.
Labrecque recommends the K18 PEPTIDE PREP Color-Safe Detox Clarifying Shampoo ($38) as a top-tier option. For families with children, he suggests Fairytales Haircare’s Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo ($11), formulated to gently remove chlorine and summer build-up without stripping the hair.
Protecting your hair from chlorine doesn’t mean avoiding the water. With a few proactive hair care tips—like wetting your hair, using conditioner barriers, and cleansing thoroughly post-swim—you can enjoy all the joys of summer without sacrificing your hair’s health. Add these expert-backed techniques to your summer routine and give your hair the same thoughtful attention you give your skin.
By incorporating these professional insights and simple steps, you can maintain your hair’s vitality even during the harshest pool days—ensuring it stays soft, strong, and radiant all summer long.
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