When the scorching summer sun is beating down upon your back, there’s nothing more enticing than a dip in the pool. And it’s not just about cooling off. Swimming is a fantastic full-body exercise that provides a vigorous aerobic workout while also building up your muscular strength.
However, a downside of regular swim sessions is chlorine damage. Chlorine is essential for keeping pools clean, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin and hair. Fortunately, these simple precautions can help to minimise chlorine damage and ensure you leave the pool looking just as good as when you entered it.
Chlorine exposure
Chlorine tends to dry out your skin and hair, and those with pre-existing skin conditions can suffer more severe effects. Chlorine exposure can cause:1
- Dry and flaky skin
- Eczema
- Dandruff
- Dry and dull hair
- Allergic conjunctivitis
Taking the right precautions
Here are three top tips for battling chlorine damage.
- Moisturise before and after. A moisturising cream helps protect your skin while you’re in the pool, forming a barrier between your skin and the chlorine in the pool water. Moisturising again after your swim will help restore the moisture balance in your skin to combat dryness.2
- Shower right after swimming. Leaving chlorine in your hair and skin too long will worsen its effects. Shower immediately after your swim with nutrient-rich soap and shampoo.2
- Use a swim cap. Swim caps help minimize contact between your hair and the chlorinated pool water. For even better protection, apply leave-in conditioner so that even water does seep under your cap will have little opportunity to dry out your locks. And as an added benefit, those of you sporting long hair might see your swim time improve, since a swim cap reduces drag!3
Sources
© Cigna Healthcare 2023
Information provided in this article is intended for health and fitness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease (see Terms & Conditions for details). Any health-related information found in this article is available only for your interest and should not be treated as medical advice. Users should seek any medical advice from a physician, especially before self-diagnosing any ailment or embarking on any new lifestyle or exercise regime. Any information contained in this article may not be suitable, accurate, complete or reliable. Cigna Healthcare accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of information contained on external websites or resources, or for the security and safety of using them. "Cigna Healthcare" and the "Tree of Life" logo are registered trademarks of Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. in the United States and elsewhere, licensed for use. All products and services are provided by or through operating subsidiaries, and not by The Cigna Group.
