Tips for Protecting Color-Treated Hair from Chlorine

Chlorine is a constant in the life of all swimmers. It’s our perfume and it enables us to swim in clean water.

But this chemical disinfectant has some downsides, too, and a big one is how it can strip hair dye and leave your glorious mane looking faded and feeling dry and straw-like.

The color-changing impact of chlorine can vary from pool to pool and hair color to hair color. For example, if you dye your hair red, it’s a notoriously difficult color to keep intact long term even if you aren’t a swimmer, so you’ll likely see fading faster than you would with darker colors.

And of course, many natural and bottle blondes have a horror story about swimming in a pool with improperly balanced chemicals and coming out with green hair. (If that happens it means the copper content in the pool is too high; most water sources have copper in them, and when you add chlorine, it can oxidize the copper and other hard-water minerals. These minerals then saturate your hair, turning it green-ish. Stripping those chemicals from the hair is the key to getting back to that icy blonde or foxy silver color you’d prefer.)

For decades, swimmers have been looking for hair coloring products that don’t fade when exposed to chlorine. But it’s an ongoing quest—the truth of the matter is, there really aren’t any hair coloring products that are completely chlorine-proof. But that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless if you want to swim regularly and keep your hair looking amazing. Here’s how to minimize the effects of chlorine on colored hair:

1. Protect your locks. Prior to jumping in the pool, wet your hair with clean, cool water. When the hair is wet, it can’t absorb as much chlorinated water from the pool, which will limit the effect of the chlorine. Cool water helps close the hair’s cuticle, which can further help lock out pool water and chemicals.
2. Coat with conditioner. In addition to wetting your hair, you may also want to apply a pre-swim conditioner, such as Nature’s Prescription, to your hair before you get into the pool. This further blocks the pool chemicals from being able to infiltrate your luscious locks and wreck your ‘do.
3. Wear a cap. Swim caps are a must when racing, but in training, some swimmers with short hair skip the cap to keep cooler. A swim cap, however, creates a physical barrier between your hair and the pool water, reducing the exposure to chlorine. It’ll also make you sleeker and a little faster in the water and keep your bangs out of your eyes. Caps don’t generally keep your hair dry, but they can reduce how much chlorine soaks in, especially when used with tips 1 and 2.
4. Rinse immediately. As soon as you get out of the pool, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water to remove any chlorine residue. Even better, use a chlorine-removing or clarifying shampoo, such as those made by TRISWIM and Zealios.
5. Deep condition. Chlorine can be very drying, so to keep your hair looking shiny and healthy, use a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask regularly to restore that lost moisture. Nourishing and hydrating your hair can also help reduce the appearance of color-fading.
6. Seek UV protection. Although chlorine can be tough on your hair, it’s not the only factor that can affect hair color. Sun exposure can also cause fading. To prevent this, reach for hair products or sprays that offer UV protection.

For Masters swimmers who are frequenting the pool most days of the week, it’s inevitable that you’ll experience some color fading over time, even if you’re taking as many of these precautions as possible. If it’s bothering you, talk with your hair colorist for more specific advice tailored to your unique hair needs and color goals.