How Do I Protect My Hair From Chlorine Water?

March 4, 2025|Natalie Harrison

Updated: November 2025

Your complete guide to understanding chlorine damage and keeping your hair strong, shiny, and healthy through pool season

Splash Damage: How Chlorinated Water Is Secretly Messing With Your Hair

Hey there, hair enthusiasts! ✨

Ever stepped out of the pool with hair that feels like straw? Or noticed your gorgeous colour fading faster than your summer tan? Spoiler alert: it's not just the summer sun playing tricks, chlorine might be your hair's secret nemesis.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for clean swimming pools (because, eww, the alternative). But what keeps pools pristine can wreak absolute havoc on your locks. Let's dive into the not-so-pretty relationship between chlorine and your gorgeous mane, and more importantly, how to protect yourself.

What's Actually Happening to Your Hair: The Science Behind Chlorine Damage

The Protein Robbery

Your hair is made of a protein called keratin (the same stuff as your nails, cool right?). Chlorine loves to break the bonds that hold this protein together. It's like a thief sneaking in and stealing the structural support from your hair.

When chlorine oxidises your hair's keratin structure, your once-strong strands become:

Weaker (hello, breakage!)
Less elastic (snap, snap, snap)
More brittle (those split ends didn't appear by magic)
Prone to damage that compounds over time

Think of your hair cuticle like fish scales that overlap and protect the inner structure. Chlorine lifts these scales and barges right in, disrupting the very foundation that keeps your hair strong and resilient.

The Great Oil Heist

Your scalp produces natural oils (sebum) that coat your hair and keep it moisturised and protected. Think of it as your hair's personal bodyguard. Chlorine strips these oils faster than a teenager raids the fridge after school.

Without this protection, your hair:

Dries out (that straw-like feeling? Yep, that's it)
Becomes more porous (soaking up everything, including more chlorine)
Gets super tangled (brush struggles become very real)
Loses its natural shine and lustre

The result is hair that feels rough, breaks easily, and looks dull no matter what you do to it.

The Colour Fade Reality

If you're rocking a colour that took three hours and half your paycheck to achieve, listen up! Chlorine oxidises hair colour molecules, causing them to break down and wash away.

That vibrant red you loved? It's heading toward sad strawberry blonde territory after just a few pool sessions. Blonde hair can even turn greenish when copper in the water bonds with chlorine and deposits on your strands.

This isn't a styling choice, it's chemical damage. And it's completely preventable.

What Happens Over Time: The Long Game

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but consistent chlorine exposure without protection is like letting a toddler redecorate your house, the damage accumulates.

Over time, you might notice:

Permanent texture changes (those beautiful curls or sleek straight strands? Transformed!)
Progressive protein loss (thinning hair that just won't grow)
Increased fragility (hair that breaks when you look at it wrong)
Scalp issues (dryness that turns into flaking, irritation, or inflammation)

Regular swimmers know this all too well. Some experience dramatic changes in their hair's texture and health after a single season of frequent pool use.

But don't panic and swear off swimming forever! I've got protection strategies that actually work.

Signs Your Hair Is Crying Out for Chlorine Help

Not sure if chlorine is the culprit behind your hair woes? Watch for these telltale signs:

Texture change: Suddenly your silky hair feels rough, dry, or "crunchy"
Increased tangles: Your brush has become your hair's worst enemy
Colour changes: Blonde hair turning green isn't a new fashion statement, it's chlorine bonding with copper in the water
Scalp irritation: Itchiness, flaking, or redness might be your scalp saying "enough with the chlorine already!"
Breakage galore: Finding more hair in your brush or shower drain than usual
Lack of shine: Hair that looks dull and lifeless no matter what products you use

If you're experiencing multiple signs, chlorine is almost certainly the culprit.

Splash-Proof Your Strands: Pre-Pool Protection Strategies

The Wet Hair Hack

Here's a game-changer: wet your hair with clean water BEFORE you jump in! Hair is like a sponge, if it's already saturated with clean water, it absorbs less chlorinated water.

This simple step can reduce chlorine absorption significantly. It's free, it takes 30 seconds, and it genuinely works.

Barrier Products Are Your Best Friends

Create a protective shield with:

Leave-in conditioner: Slather on a keratin-rich leave-in conditioner before swimming
Hair oils and serums: Keratin, coconut, argan, or jojoba oils create a water-resistant barrier
Specialized swim products: Yes, they exist and they're worth the investment
Protein-packed treatments: These prepare your hair to resist chlorine damage

The key is creating a physical barrier between your hair and the chlorinated water. These products work like armor for your strands.

Physical Barriers: Old School, But Effective

Swimming caps aren't just for Olympic swimmers! Silicone caps provide the best protection and prevent most chlorine contact.

Other protective strategies:

Protective hairstyles like braids or buns minimise exposure
If you're poolside but not swimming, pop that hair up in a cute topknot
Consider wearing a cap even during casual swimming

Physical protection is the most effective strategy if you're a regular swimmer.

The Post-Swim Rescue Mission

The Immediate Fix (Do This NOW)

The moment you exit the pool:

Rinse with clean water immediately (like, don't even stop for a selfie)
Use a chlorine-removing shampoo (clarifying shampoos with chelating agents are heroes)
Follow with deep nourishing conditioner and keratin repair serum (your hair is THIRSTY)

This immediate routine can prevent up to 80% of chlorine damage if done consistently.

The Ongoing Battle Plan for Regular Swimmers

For those who swim frequently:

Protein treatments every 1-2 weeks: Rebuild what chlorine tears down
Moisture-rich masks and keratin-infused conditioner: Use twice weekly for hydration
Scalp treatments with gentle shampoo: Restore balance, because healthy hair starts at the roots
Weekly deep conditioning: Consider using Functional Keratin™ supplements to support hair health from within

Consistent aftercare is essential for maintaining hair integrity.

Your Shower Might Be Part of the Problem

Plot twist: it's not just swimming pools! Your shower water likely contains chlorine too. That daily rinse might be causing low-level damage you haven't even considered.

The cumulative effect of showering in chlorinated water several times weekly compounds the damage from occasional pool swimming. Many people don't realise their daily showers are contributing to their hair problems.

Shower Filtration Solutions

Consider these approaches:

Install a shower filter: They're more affordable than you'd think and provide significant protection
Use filtered water for final rinses: A simple step that makes a noticeable difference
Apply leave-in protection and repair serum: Even on non-pool days to combat daily chlorine exposure
Explore whole-home filtration: If you swim frequently or have sensitive hair

Our friends at Hydrate Filters offer excellent water filtration solutions. They're currently developing a shower filter specifically designed to remove chlorine and protect your hair. Check out their current water filtration products while you wait for this game-changing shower solution.

Supporting Your Hair Health From Within

While external protection is crucial, supporting your hair from the inside matters equally. When your hair structure is compromised by chlorine, your body needs the right building blocks to repair it.

Functional Keratin™ supplementation provides bio-identical keratin (91% identical to your hair's natural structure) that your body can use to rebuild damaged protein bonds. Clinical research shows that Functional Keratin™ supplementation reduces hair loss by up to 43% and improves hair strength, elasticity, and thickness.

If you're a regular swimmer, combining external protection with internal Functional Keratin™ support gives your hair the best chance of staying strong and healthy through the season.

Professional Help: When DIY Isn't Enough

If your hair has been through serious chlorine trauma, it might be time to call in the pros:

Ask for a professional assessment of damage
Consider in-salon protein or moisture treatments
Get customised advice for your specific hair type and concerns
Explore professional chelating treatments designed to remove mineral buildup

A trichologist or dermatologist can assess whether you're experiencing permanent damage or simply temporary dryness.

The Bottom Line: You Don't Have to Choose

Chlorine and gorgeous hair aren't natural best friends, but with the right protection strategies, they can peacefully coexist. You don't have to choose between healthy hair and pool days!

Remember: prevention is way easier (and cheaper) than repair. A little effort before and after swimming goes a long way toward maintaining your hair health.

What's your go-to chlorine protection strategy? I'd love to hear what works for you. Drop it in the comments, I'm always looking for new tricks to share with our community of hair enthusiasts!

Stay fabulous and swim safe!

References and Further Reading

Metals in Human Hair: What They Tell Us and How They Get There - Journal of Cosmetic Science - Research examining how metals and chlorine in water interact with and bind to hair proteins
Hair Cosmetics: An Overview - International Journal of Trichology - Comprehensive review of factors affecting hair health, including chemical damage from chlorine exposure
Hair Damage: How to Prevent and Repair - American Academy of Dermatology - Professional guidelines on preventing chemical damage to hair and maintaining scalp health
Healthy Swimming: Pool Chemical Safety - CDC - Official health information on swimming pool chemicals and their effects
Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study showing 43% hair loss reduction with Functional Keratin™
The Effects of an Oral Supplementation of Natural Keratin - PMC - Peer-reviewed clinical research on keratin hydrolysate efficacy
Hydrate Filters - Water Filtration Solutions - Quality shower filters and water filtration products
Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair - Springer - The definitive scientific text on hair structure and how it responds to various chemicals, including detailed analysis of chlorine damage mechanisms

0 comments

Frequently Asked Questions

Chlorine causes actual chemical damage, not just temporary dryness. It breaks the bonds in your hair's keratin structure, strips natural oils, and oxidises colour molecules. This is structural damage that requires repair, not just moisturising. While moisture helps, you need to rebuild the protein structure itself using treatments containing keratin.

Damage can occur after a single swimming session, though it's cumulative. Most people notice texture changes after 3-5 pool visits, and visible damage (split ends, breakage, colour fading) becomes apparent after 2-3 weeks of regular swimming. The speed depends on your starting hair health, how frequently you swim, and what protection you use.

You can significantly reduce damage (by 80-90% with proper protection), but not eliminate it entirely if you're swimming regularly. Wearing a swim cap provides the best protection, followed by pre-swim conditioning and immediate post-swim rinsing. For shower chlorine exposure, a quality shower filter reduces chlorine substantially.

Use a chelating or clarifying shampoo specifically designed to remove chlorine and mineral buildup. These contain ingredients that bind to chlorine and metal deposits, lifting them from your hair. Follow with a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture and protein. Regular shampoo won't remove chlorine effectively.

No. Fine or thin hair, dry hair, and colour-treated hair are more vulnerable to chlorine damage. Coarser hair has a thicker cuticle and more resilience. However, everyone's hair suffers from chlorine exposure eventually without protection. Your hair type just determines how quickly you'll notice damage.

The green is copper in the pool water bonding with chlorine and depositing on your hair. It's not the chlorine itself turning hair green, it's the chemical reaction between chlorine and trace metals in the water. This is more visible on blonde hair because the lighter colour shows the green more prominently than darker hair.

Both work, but they work differently. Leave-in conditioner hydrates and proteins, creating a moisture barrier. Oil creates a water-repellent barrier. Many swimmers use both: leave-in conditioner first, then a light oil over top. Experiment to see what works best for your hair type. Heavier oils work better for thick or curly hair, lighter formulas for fine hair.

If you swim 3+ times weekly, use a deep conditioning treatment twice weekly, minimum. If you swim 1-2 times weekly, once weekly is sufficient. After particularly intense pool days, consider a treatment the same day you swim. These treatments rebuild protein and restore moisture that chlorine strips.

Yes, though the damage is slower because you're exposed for shorter periods. However, showering in chlorinated water daily means you're getting chronic, low-level exposure that compounds over time. For people with sensitive or damaged hair, shower filtration becomes essential for maintaining hair health.

Yes. Functional Keratin™ provides your body with the bio-identical building blocks it needs to repair chlorine-damaged protein bonds in your hair. Clinical studies show it reduces hair loss by up to 43% and improves strength and thickness. Combined with external protection and treatments, it supports recovery from chlorine damage.