Swimming is a great way to stay fit and have fun during the summer. However, spending time in pools can affect your hair color and health. If you have blonde hair, you may notice it gets brassy, green, or discolored after frequent swimming. This is caused by chlorine and other chemicals used to keep pool water sanitized. Understanding how chlorine affects blonde hair can help you take steps to protect your color.
How Does Chlorine Affect Hair Color?
Chlorine is added to pool water as a disinfectant and to destroy bacteria and other contaminants. However, it can also interact with and alter hair color molecules. Here’s a closer look at what happens:
- Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent. It interacts with melanin and keratin proteins in hair, breaking down molecules and stripping away color pigments.
- Blonde hair with lighter pigment doesn’t have as much protection from discoloration as darker pigments. Red and copper tones in blonde hair are especially vulnerable.
- Chemicals like chlorine remove lipids and proteins that protect and strengthen hair. This causes porosity, making hair more prone to dryness and damage.
- With frequent swimming, chlorine builds up in the hair cortex. This can lead to dull, brittle, frizzy hair with altered color.
In addition to chlorine, pool water often contains stabilizers like cyanuric acid. This chemical binds to hair, causing greenish discoloration in blonde hair over time.
Signs of Chlorine Damage
How can you tell if pool water is damaging your blonde locks? Here are some visible signs to watch for:
- Brassy or orange tone – Chlorine strips away lighter pigments first, revealing brighter warmth underneath.
- Green or blue tint – Chemicals like copper or cyanuric acid can deposit unnatural hues.
- Dry, frizzy texture – Porosity from chemical damage leaves hair dehydrated.
- Straw-like strands – Extreme dryness from repeat exposure to chlorine makes hair brittle.
- Fading – Lighter blonde tones at the end of hair fade quicker from chlorine.
- Dullness – Chemicals remove shine-enhancing oils from hair over time.
If you spend a lot of time in the pool, your once bright, soft blonde hair may start to show any of these signs of distress. The good news is that you can take steps to protect your color.
Protecting Blonde Hair from Chlorine
Minimizing damage from pool water chemicals involves creating a barrier around hair strands. Conditioners, oils, and shampoos with film-forming polymers can help block chlorine from penetrating and altering hair proteins. Here are some tips for keeping your blonde hair beautiful:
1. Coat Hair Pre-Swim
- Apply a deep conditioner or hair mask before swimming. Concentrate on the ends which get the most chemical exposure.
- Use a leave-in conditioner or detangler spray designed to protect hair from chlorine.
- Rub a few drops of coconut, argan, or olive oil through your hair before getting it wet.
2. Wear a Swim Cap
- A tight-fitting swim cap provides a physical barrier limiting water and chemical contact with your hair.
- Silicone caps offer the most protection and last longer than latex options.
- Double up by coating hair with conditioner first, then cover with a swim cap.
3. Rinse Hair After Swimming
- Rinse out chlorinated water immediately after exiting the pool.
- Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove built-up chlorine and chemicals.
- Use a moisturizing conditioner or mask for 5-10 minutes to restore hydration.
4. Time Your Swims
- Schedule pool time right before your regular hair wash to minimize time sitting with chemicals.
- Shampoo and condition hair immediately after swimming to prevent damage.
- Limit pool use to 2-3 times per week to control chemical exposure.
5. Seek Professional Help
- Get occasional clarifying or chelating treatments to deep clean hair and remove buildup.
- Ask your colorist about toning services to neutralize brassiness between appointments.
- Consider highlights or balayage for a double-process blonde – less dye touching the hair means less potential for fading and damage.
Can Damaged Hair Be Repaired?
If you’ve noticed your blonde hair looking dull, dry, and damaged from chlorine exposure, take heart. With some TLC, you can nurse your strands back to health. Here are a few restorative tips:
- Use a weekly moisturizing hair mask to replenish hydration.
- Alternate hot oil treatments with coconut or argan oil to renew shine.
- Get a conditioning keratin treatment to smooth and temporarily strengthen hair.
- Avoid heat styling tools until hair regains its healthy appearance.
- Get regular trims to remove split ends and keep hair strong.
- Use a leave-in conditioner and avoid tight hairstyles that cause breakage.
While chlorine damage can be reversed, it’s still best prevented. Taking proactive steps to protect your hair during swimming season will help you avoid having to do major restorative work.
The Effects of Chlorine on Different Blonde Shades
Not all blonde shades react the same way to chlorine exposure. Here is a look at how common blonde hair colors can change after repeated swimming:
| Blonde Hair Color | Effects of Chlorine |
|---|---|
| Platinum or Icy Blonde | – Turns greenish or gray |
| Baby Blonde | – Fades to dishwater blonde |
| Golden Blonde | – Develops brassy, orangey tones |
| Honey Blonde | – Warm shade becomes increasingly brassy |
| Ash Blonde | – Cool tones warm up and turn coppery over time |
| Strawberry Blonde | – Red pigment fades quickly leaving yellowish hair |
As shown, chlorine damage affects lighter color blondes the most. Babylights, highlights, balayage, and ombre applications tend to show fewer visible changes than a single process blonde when exposed to pool chemicals.
Conclusion
Chlorine can negatively affect blonde hair color, leaving it brassy, dry, or faded over time. But armed with the right products and techniques, you can still protect your golden locks. Pre-coat hair with oil or conditioner before swimming, wear a tight cap in the pool, and shampoo immediately after to remove chemicals. Schedule a toning or clarifying service as needed to keep blonde hair looking its best. With some preventative care, you can confidently rock your blonde hair all pool season long!
