Swimming is a fantastic activity for children, offering a fun way to stay fit and build confidence in the water. However, if your child regularly swims, you may have noticed chlorine’s effects on their hair—dryness, tangles, or even discoloration. The good news? With a few easy steps, you can protect their hair and keep it healthy while they enjoy their lessons.
What is Chlorine and Why Do We Use it in Pools?
Chlorine is a chemical widely used in swimming pools to keep the water clean and safe for swimmers by eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other harmful pathogens. Without chlorine, public pools could easily become breeding grounds for illnesses, which is especially concerning in high-use environments like children’s swimming lessons. Chlorine is added in carefully monitored amounts to ensure pool water remains hygienic.
While it’s great for keeping water safe, chlorine is harsh on natural oils that protect hair, especially delicate children’s hair. Chlorine works as a disinfectant, breaking down contaminants like sweat, oils, and bacteria. However, this powerful disinfectant doesn’t distinguish between bacteria and the natural oils that protect your hair. As a result, while chlorine keeps pools safe, it can strip hair of its moisture and leave it vulnerable to damage. This is why even occasional exposure can have noticeable effects over time.
Plus, chlorine doesn’t only affect the surface of the hair; it can penetrate the hair shaft, which is why protective steps are so important before, during, and after swimming lessons. This blog post will cover exactly how to protect your child’s hair from chlorine.
How Chlorine Affects Children’s Hair
Children’s hair is often more delicate than adults’ hair, which makes it more susceptible to chlorine’s effects. Chlorine removes the natural oils that coat and protect each hair strand, which is why repeated exposure can make hair feel dry, rough, and prone to tangling.
Signs of Chlorine Damage:
- Dryness: Chlorine removes the natural moisture in hair, leading to dryness.
- Dullness: The constant exposure to chlorine can make hair lose its shine, making it look dull and rough.
- Tangles and Breakage: With moisture stripped away, hair tangles more easily, and rough handling can lead to breakage.
- Discoloration: Chlorine exposure can cause light-coloured or chemically-treated hair to take on a greenish or yellowish tint.
How Quickly Can Chlorine Damage Your Childs Hair
Parents often wonder how much swimming is “too much” for their child’s hair. Unfortunately, even moderate exposure to chlorine can begin affecting hair. However, hair type, frequency of swimming, and protective measures all play a role.
For children who swim once a week or less, you may notice mild dryness over time. For regular swimmers, hair can start showing signs of chlorine damage like dryness, dullness, or rough texture within weeks. For children who swim daily, damage can happen quickly if preventive measures aren’t taken. In these cases, a structured hair-care routine is essential.
How to Protect Your Child’s Hair
Before Swimming
- Rinse Hair with Fresh Water: Hair soaked in clean water absorbs less chlorinated water, reducing damage. Hair is porous, meaning it can absorb water much like a sponge. If your hair is dry, it will quickly soak up whatever water it comes into contact with—this includes chlorinated pool water. So when you wet your hair with fresh water before swimming, the hair becomes “saturated.” A saturated hair strand absorbs far less chlorinated water because there’s less room left in the hair’s porous structure to take in additional water.
- Apply a Leave-In Conditioner or Oil: Create a barrier against chlorine by applying a child-friendly leave-in conditioner, coconut oil, or even olive oil. These natural solutions coat the hair, helping to lock in moisture.
- Use a Swim Cap: Swimming caps have multiple benefits and are the best choice for protecting hair. Although they may not completely prevent water from reaching the hair, they significantly reduce exposure. Ensure the cap fits snugly for maximum effectiveness.
During Swimming
- Secure Hair: Loose hair spreads out in the water, exposing more strands to direct contact with chlorinated water. By tying or braiding the hair, you minimise the amount of hair that comes into contact with the water, reducing the overall exposure to chlorine and its drying effects.
- Encourage Minimal Underwater Time: If possible, suggest that your child limit the amount of time their head is submerged to further reduce exposure.
After Swimming
- Rinse Immediately with Fresh Water: This helps remove residual chlorine before it dries onto the hair.
- Shampoo with a Gentle Formula: Use a chlorine-specific shampoo or a gentle, sulfate-free option. Limit shampooing to once or twice a week to avoid over-drying.
- Apply a Hydrating Conditioner: A deep conditioner replenishes moisture and smooths the hair cuticle, making it easier to manage.
- Detangle Gently: Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush while the hair is damp to prevent breakage.
Weekly Care
- Deep Conditioning Treatments: Once a week, use a hydrating mask to restore moisture. Look for child-friendly products with nourishing ingredients like shea butter or aloe vera.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: An apple cider vinegar rinse (diluted with water) can help remove chlorine build-up and restore shine. (Mix one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water).
- Coconut Oil Mask: Apply coconut oil to damp hair, leave it on for 20–30 minutes, then rinse. This restores moisture and smooths the hair cuticle.
Conclusion
Chlorine is essential for keeping pools safe, but it doesn’t have to harm your child’s hair. With the right routine, including pre-swim protection and post-swim care, you can help keep their hair healthy, strong, and free from damage. Swimming lessons are a fantastic experience for children—protecting their hair ensures they can enjoy it without worry!