If you swim in chlorinated water on a regular basis, your hair may become very dry or even turn green. To maintain healthy hair, you should consider choosing a specially formulated shampoo for swimmers. Many of these are very moisturizing, and they help prevent chlorine and other pool chemicals from building up on your hair. If you have green hair from swimming in a chlorinated pool, you may be able to use a purple shampoo to neutralize this unnatural color.
A variety of chemicals must usually be added to a pool, including chlorine and algaecides. These chemicals are used to help kill bacteria and algae. Unfortunately, these chemicals can also strip moisture and natural oils from the hair and skin.
Special shampoo for swimmers is perfect for people who swim in chemically treated pools. These shampoos are specially formulated to clean hair that is exposed to pool chemicals on a regular basis. A good shampoo for swimmers will remove and prevent any build up of chlorine and other chemicals found in the water.
Shampoo for swimmers will also usually help moisturize the hair. Many of these contain moisturizing nutrients, such as vitamins and fruit extracts. Other swimmer's hair products can also usually be found, including conditioner for swimmers.
Chemically treated pools can also cause your hair to turn an unnatural color. Green hair, for example, is a common problem for many swimmers, particularly those with very light blonde or gray hair. Contrary to popular belief, however, green hair is not caused by chlorine alone.
Most algaecides contain heavy metals, including copper. Dissolving these metals in chlorinated water causes them to oxidize. This oxidation process causes the metals to turn green. They can then be absorbed into the hair shaft, causing it to turn green.
Removing this green color from the hair is notoriously difficult. Some people claim baking soda can be used to remove this tint. To use baking soda, it can be mixed with either regular shampoo or shampoo for swimmers and applied to the hair. It should then be allowed to set on the hair for several minutes before being rinsed out.
Purple shampoo can also be considered a shampoo for swimmers. This unusual type of shampoo has mild purple dye in it that can help make yellow, brassy, or green hair less noticeable. You should not use this shampoo daily, however, since it can cause your hair to turn purple instead of green.