Swimming is great for your body, but pool water isn't always kind to your hair. Regular swimmers often notice dry, straw-like lengths, tangles, frizz, faded colour, and sometimes a greenish tint in light hair. The good news: a few simple habits before and after you swim can protect your hair. This guide explains what chlorine and pool water do to hair, and gives an easy routine for swimmers.
What chlorine does to your hair
Chlorine is added to pool water to keep it clean and free of germs. It does that job well, but it also affects your hair:
- It strips natural oils. Chlorine removes the sebum that keeps hair soft and protected, leaving it dry and rough.
- It roughens the cuticle. Frequent exposure can lift the outer layer of the hair, so hair tangles more easily, looks dull and frizzes.
- It weakens hair over time. With repeated swimming and no aftercare, hair can become brittle and prone to breakage and split ends.
- It fades colour. Chlorinated water can dull and change the tone of coloured hair more quickly.
- It leaves residue. Pool water contains chlorine and dissolved minerals such as copper. These can build up on hair. Copper is the usual reason blonde or lightened hair turns greenish.
Saltwater and hard water can cause similar dryness and build-up. Read more in hard water and hair.
Who needs to be most careful?
- Coloured, highlighted or bleached hair: it is more porous, so it absorbs pool water and fades faster.
- Keratin-treated or smoothened hair: chlorine can shorten how long the results last.
- Dry, curly or fine hair: these hair types lose moisture quickly and tangle easily.
- Children and daily swimmers: frequent exposure adds up.
Before you swim: protect
1. Wet your hair with clean water first
This is the most important and easiest tip. Hair works like a sponge. If it's already full of clean tap water, it absorbs much less pool water. Rinse your hair thoroughly in the shower before you get in.
2. Add a light protective layer
After wetting your hair, smooth a little conditioner or a few drops of hair serum through the lengths and ends. This creates a light barrier between your hair and the pool water. A lightweight serum such as Hair Fuel Smoothing Serum works well on the ends. Keep it off the scalp.
3. Wear a swimming cap
A well-fitting silicone cap keeps most of the water off your hair. Put it on over wet, lightly conditioned hair for extra protection. If you have long hair, tie it in a low bun first.
4. Tie hair loosely
If you're not wearing a cap, a loose braid reduces tangling in the water. Avoid tight ponytails, which put stress on wet hair.
After you swim: rinse, cleanse, condition
1. Rinse immediately
Don't let pool water dry in your hair. Rinse thoroughly with clean water as soon as you get out.
2. Wash with a gentle shampoo
Wash out chlorine and pool residue with a nourishing, sulphate-free shampoo that won't strip your hair further. Choose one for your hair type:
- Coloured hair: Bubble Bliss Color Protect Shampoo, with quinoa, argan oil and rose oil, helps maintain colour vibrancy.
- Dry or damaged hair: Bubble Bliss Repair & Restore Shampoo, with jojoba, coconut and castor oils and natural hyaluronic acid, helps hair retain moisture.
- Curly or wavy hair: Bubble Bliss Curl & Shine Shampoo, with shea butter, jojoba oil and keratin extract, helps keep curls soft and defined.
Not sure which is right for you? Read which Bubble Bliss shampoo is right for you.
3. Always condition
Follow with the matching conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends. Leave it on for 2–3 minutes, and detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is still in. Never brush wet, tangled hair roughly.
4. Finish with serum
Once your hair is towel-dried, smooth 2–3 drops of serum over the ends to control frizz and add shine.
Weekly swimmer's hair routine
Once a week: deep-condition
Chlorine dries hair out week after week, so a weekly hair mask replaces lost moisture:
- Dry, damaged or frizzy hair: Mane-A-Tame Repair Rescue Mask
- Keratin-treated, protein-treated or chemically treated hair: Infudra Mask D'Affluence
Apply after shampooing, leave for 10–15 minutes under a warm towel, then rinse. See hair mask for damaged hair.
Every 2–4 weeks: clarify
Even with good habits, chlorine and mineral residue can build up and make hair look dull and feel coated. An occasional clarifying wash removes this build-up. Derma Pure Clarifying Shampoo is a salon-professional deep-cleansing shampoo that helps remove build-up and impurities. Always follow it with conditioner or a mask. Avoid clarifying right after a colour or keratin service. Learn more in what is a clarifying shampoo and when to use it.
Swimming after a keratin treatment or hair colour
- After a keratin or smoothing treatment: follow your stylist's advice on how long to wait before swimming. Always wear a cap, rinse straight after swimming, and use gentle, treatment-friendly products. See how to maintain keratin-treated hair.
- After colouring: give colour time to settle before swimming if you can, and protect it every time with a cap and Color Protect care. See our hair colour care guide.
Swimmer's hair care checklist
- Wet your hair with clean water before swimming
- Apply a little conditioner or serum to the lengths
- Wear a swimming cap
- Rinse immediately after swimming
- Shampoo with a gentle Bubble Bliss shampoo for your hair type
- Condition every time and detangle gently
- Finish with serum
- Use a hair mask once a week
- Clarify every 2–4 weeks
- Trim every 8–12 weeks
Frequently asked questions
Does chlorine cause hair fall?
Chlorine mainly affects the hair shaft. It makes hair dry and brittle, which can lead to breakage that looks like hair fall. If you notice hair falling from the roots, look at other causes too. See hair breakage vs hair fall.
Why does blonde hair turn green in the pool?
Usually because of copper and other minerals dissolved in pool water, which bind to lighter, porous hair. Pre-wetting your hair, wearing a cap, rinsing quickly and clarifying regularly all help prevent it.
Should I wash my hair every time I swim?
At minimum, rinse thoroughly with clean water. If you swim daily, a gentle sulphate-free shampoo followed by conditioner is kinder than a strong shampoo, so you remove chlorine without over-drying your hair.
Is sea water better for hair than pool water?
Sea water doesn't contain chlorine, but salt also dries and roughens hair. The same routine works: pre-wet, protect, rinse, condition.
Can children use these products?
The Bubble Bliss range is designed for men and women. For young children, use gentle products and check with your paediatrician if they have a sensitive scalp.
The bottom line
You don't have to choose between swimming and healthy hair. Pre-wet and protect before you swim, rinse and condition afterwards, deep-condition weekly and clarify occasionally. Explore the Bubble Bliss range to build your swimmer's routine.
