Green Hair SOS! How to save your hair from chlorine damage.
We're water lovers too! In our opinion, swimming is one of the best ways to stay fit and have fun! But unfortunately, all those pool chemicals can leave an unwelcome green tint in your hair. In this blog post, we'll dive into why this happens, how to prevent it, and the best ways to keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant, even after countless laps in the pool.
Okay, so we know that it happens, but why? Turns out chlorine isn’t the sneaky villain behind your hair's new swamp-chic look. Chlorine actually works to lighten hair, which sets the stage for the real menace to step in: copper. Copper, that rascal, is the one giving your locks that unexpected green makeover!
Copper is often introduced through algaecides, which are used to control algae growth in swimming pools, or can even be present in the pipes and equipment. When your hair comes into contact with this copper-laden water, it can result in a chemical reaction that causes the hair to take on a greenish tint.
Here's the science: the copper in the pool water can oxidize when exposed to air and sunlight, forming copper compounds. These compounds can then bind to the proteins in your hair, leading to the green discoloration. Additionally, blonde or light-colored hair is more susceptible to this phenomenon due to its porous nature (however, brown hair can take on greenish tints too).
To prevent green hair, you can take the below steps:
1. Pre-soak your hair with fresh water before entering the pool, so there’s less room for chlorine or salt to absorb into your strands.
2. Pre-condition with a pea sized amount of TRISWIM Conditioner for extra protection before putting on your swimming cap.
3. Wear a tight-fitting swim cap to prevent any water from touching your hair, giving it an added layer of protection from the harmful effects of chlorine (check out our favourite swim caps here).
4. Rinse with TRISWIM Chlorine Removing Shampoo, specially formulated for removing chlorine from your hair.
If you have blonde hair, this is especially important, as the greening effect of chlorine is more noticeable on lighter-colored hair.
5. Follow with a nourishing conditioner such as TRISWIM's Conditioner.