Summer Hair Care - Chlorine Damage

Summer means more time by the pool, tanning and swimming. You already know how to care for your skin properly, with sunscreens and care to avoid the strongest UV rays of the day. But all those cooling dips in the pool can really stress your hair. Here's how to avoid the damage, breakage and color changes that pool water can cause to your hair.

Chlorine is added to pool water to eliminate bacteria and reduce any risk of infectious organisms. But chlorine is brutal to hair. It strips the sebum, or natural oil, from your hair leaving it dry and prone to damage and breakage. Other metals like copper are oxidized by the chlorine and get deposited in hair, turning blonde hair and colored or bleached hair that weird greenish tinge of summer. Even if you haven't previously colored your hair, chlorine and sun will alter the color of your hair, but the lightening won't be attractive highlights.

The first step to avoiding summer damage to hair is to start with hair that is as healthy as you can get it. Use a deep conditioner at least once a week and a moisturizing conditioner every time you shampoo.

Before diving into the pool, wet hair with regular tap water. Hair that is already saturated is less likely to absorb chlorinated water from the pool. You can even apply a conditioner before swimming. After pool exposure, rinse hair thoroughly with clear tap water and use shampoo to remove the chlorine, copper and other minerals in the pool water. Always follow with conditioner.

Take time to protect your hair this summer and let your hair's natural beauty shine through all the bright summer days.