Weekly Question! July 28, 2013

Healthy Tips!

How to Keep Chlorine from wrecking your skin, hair, and swimsuit.

As the heat rises of this warm summer, teenagers and adults find themselves at the pool, I do too. Since I swim about every day, swimming causes my swimsuit to fade before summer is nearly over. It also can turn my skin red and itchy and my hair hard and brittle.

And of course, I'm worried about my newly colored hair being destroyed. I did some research online and hears some beauty tips.

    Hair Products

Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in the water, this helps you from getting sick from germs, but while that is happening it is stripping the natural oil that protects your hair. To help not get that hay affect, coat your hair with products before you dive into that cold water. Oil and silicone-based products are best. Another option is coconut oil, which makes your hair shine and gives it moisture.

Wet?

Before you jump in, get your hair wet, this helps slow down your hair from sucking up the chlorine because your hair is like a sponge. Afterwards, if you put a swim cap on ( if you own one) it will also slow the chlorine down, but it isn't going to keep your hair completely dry.

Special Hair Cleansers

A product called  Triswim ($11), and it makes my hair feel soft while adding volume. It smells of citrus, which also helps remove the scent of chlorine. Malibu Swimmers Water Action Wellness Shampoo ($12) is another option. It doubles as a body wash and is gentle enough to use every day.

Pamper your skin

If you stay in the pool for too long, you’ll get dry, chalky skin, and sometimes a red, itchy rash. The culprit again, is chlorine, which strips away the surface layer of oil that usually locks the moisture into your skin. You can’t do much about it in the water, but once you exit the pool, go straight to the shower, take off your suit and flush the chemicals out of your skin with plenty of soap and water. If you have sensitive skin or the pool happens to be highly chlorinated, you might want to use a specialty body wash ($11) and lotion ($11) from Triswim. They work together to neutralize chlorine, remove odors and add moisture to the skin.

Take care of your swimwear

Frequent swimmers know that chlorine can damage not only your skin and hair, but also your swimsuit. In time, the fabric will shred, the color will fade, and the elastic will break down. It can also turn your white suit yellow. The next time you shop for a new swimsuit, it’s a good idea to check the tag to see if it is chlorine- and fade-resistant. A high spandex content is a plus, since it will help your suit keep its shape. You can also check for a satisfaction guarantee. Lands’ End has this policy, and it covers all of its swimwear.

Here’s a final tip. Adding a few tablespoons full of vinegar to your wash will help neutralize chlorine, eliminate the smell, and even stop discoloration. If you’re willing to splurge, you can buy a specialty detergent like Summer Solutions Suit Solutions ($8). A little goes a long way. I like to pour two small capfuls into a gallon-size ziplock bag with an expandable bottom, and bring it with me to the pool. When I’m done swimming, I’ll pop my suit into the ziplock, fill it with water and swish it around a couple of times. Since it has a wide bottom, I can let the bag sit while I shower and get dressed. Then I’ll empty out the water and rinse out the suit before I take it home. It’s an extra step that I have to add to my routine, but it saves me from having to walk home with a tote full of wet swim gear that reeks of chlorine.

Well, now you know a couple tips to help you this summer! Stay safe and have fun.