Is swimming ruining your hair and skin? Tips to shield them from chlorine damage

Protecting your hair and skin from the ill-effects of chlorinated swimming pool water is essential. Here are tips to do so.

Kriti Saraswat | Updated: April 12, 2016 3:52 pm

One sure shot way to beat the summer heat is to jump into a swimming pool. Not only is a swim relaxing, it is also a great workout for the entire body. But making a splash can show its effects on your skin and hair if you do not take ample care before and after your swim. Here are some beauty tips to keep you looking gorgeous after swimming.

Before going for a swim

Taking care of your skin is vital as swimming pools use chlorinated water which can affect it if you step into a pool regularly. It can dehydrate the skin. And if you happen to go for a swim during the day or early evening, the sun exposure can further add to the damage. This can give you a bad tan which may not go off easily. Says Dr Jaishree Sharad, a leading cosmetic dermatologist, ‘Always apply a thick moisturiser which contains squalene and zinc and top it with a waterproof sunscreen lotion if you swim in an open pool between 6 am to 6 pm.’

The effect of sunscreen starts to wear off after 40 minutes so make sure you reapply it or limit your swim time to that much.

Your hair too needs some TLC before you hit the pool even if you wear a cap overhead. Dr Sharad suggests applying hair oil or a few drop of hair serum right before you enter the pool. Constant exposure to chlorinated water can ruin your hair and make them very rough so don’t miss this step. The cap isn’t enough to protect your mane. The hair oil or serum will create a barrier between your hair and the chlorine water and lessen the damage to a large extent.

After swim care

‘As soon as you step out of the pool, make it a point to take a shower. The chlorine needs to be washed away as soon as possible. Use a mild shower gel instead of soap to avoid your skin from getting dehydrated further. To protect your hair, use a mild shampoo such as a baby shampoo and avoid blow-drying. Pat dry your skin and apply a moisturiser on damp skin to trap the moisture, don’t forget your fingers and toes and the spaces between them,’ advises Dr Sharad.

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Some more tips

Make sure the pool is hygienic as a contaminated pool is a reservoir of viral and fungal infections.

If your skin is dry and scaly, avoid swimming. Also, people who suffer from skin eczema or atopic dermatitis or psoriasis should avoid swimming or else their skin condition can exacerbate.

If you are suffering from any infection – bacterial, viral or fungal, avoid swimming for 2 reasons. One, to prevent the infection from spreading to others, and two, chlorine water will increase the infection.

If you find your skin to be tanned, make a pack of raw milk, gram flour (besan) and turmeric (haldi) and apply it on your body. Keep it for 15 minutes and then wash it with water. You can make this a part of your weekly skincare regimen to remove existing tan and prevent further tanning.

If your hair seems to rough and dry, apply a pack of olive oil, curd and eggs. Apply from root to tip and cover your head with a shower cap. Leave for 30 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. This too can be done weekly.

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Published: April 14, 2014 4:19 pm | Updated:April 12, 2016 3:52 pm

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