Chlorine is one of those toxic natural elements that we must come into contact with most every day. It has many positive uses but our hair isn't one of them! Chlorine bonds with the the proteins in our hair and damages it! Hair feels dry, brittle and is difficult to comb through. It tangles easily and has a gummy feel to it. Ironically, the word "Chlorine" in Greek means "pale green" which is often what blonde hair can experience without proper protection from the copper found in swimming pools.

Prevention

One of the easiest ways to help prevent chlorine from damaging your hair is to get your hair very wet before swimming. Think of your hair like a sponge. A dry sponge will soak up liquid quickly but a wet sponge is too "full" to absorb much. This simple step alone can make a major difference!Secondly, comb a conditioner through your hair and leave it in. The conditioner will act as a shield against the chlorine and help provide a barrier that the chlorine won't be able to penetrate. In a pinch, use any creamy conditioner (use a product that normally requires rinsing.) After swimming, immediately
shampoo and condition the hair once again.

Treatment

Many products specifically treat swimmer's hair and the one I use and recommend is the Malibu 2000 line of haircare products This line has been around for a while but still one of the best. There is a Swimmer's Shampoo that prevents chlorine buildup and also helps prevent the green hair that is caused by copper. Swimmer's conditioner that helps condition hair leaving it shiny and free of any minerals. Malibu 2000 products also have special treatments to remove additional buildup.

Don't let chlorine get the best of you!